Choosing the Right Shingles For Your House
There are many different options when it comes to roofing shingles, which may be overwhelming for homeowners looking for new roof installation or replacement. For example, some roof shingles were designed for aesthetic appeal while others were built to be hardy and withstand the elements
Asphalt Shingles
As the most common type of roofing material used on the market, asphalt shingles are the go-to for most new homeowners or for roof replacements
3-tab asphalt shingles. 3-tab shingles are named due to the cutouts tabs that are layered on top of each other. This allows each shingle to look like it is three separate pieces, creating a dynamic and gorgeous 3D look. This particular shingle is the most affordable within the asphalt industry, usually costing anywhere between $.85-$1.50 per sq. foot. 3-tab shingles also have a lifespan of 10-20 years with proper maintenance.
Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles. This gorgeous shingle was created by weaving a fiberglass base mat, covering it with a waterproof asphalt coating, and topping it off with ceramic granules to shield against UV rays and to add a bit of sparkle. These shingles are fantastic for areas that generally receive a lot of rain. While fiberglass asphalt shingles provide more protection for your home, they do come at a bit of a higher cost than their 3-tab shingle brethren. Generally, a homeowner can expect to pay $1.00-$3.00 per sq. foot. As for life, Fiberglass shingles will last a homeowner anywhere from 20-40 years with proper maintenance.
Architectural Shingles. When it comes to aesthetics, it is hard to beat an architectural shingle. These shingles are designed to look like they were hand sculpted and come in many different shapes and colors, allowing homeowners the freedom to choose a style that fits their taste best. With an extra laminate layer, architectural shingles have a bit more glimmer and extra durability than both fiberglass and 3-tab asphalt shingles. However, these shingles are a bit more expensive, coming in at $1.50-$5.50 per square foot. You will see a return on your investment, though, due to the long lifespan of architectural shingles. These shingles can last a homeowner between 30-50 years with the proper maintenance.
How to Choose the Best Roof Shingles for Your Home
Replacing your roof is one of the most important purchases a homeowner can make. Based on this, it is important to understand the various options available. Asphalt shingle roofs are the least expensive and most popular option, followed by metal roofs, cedar roofs, slate roofs and clay roofs.
When talking to roofing contractors, you may be presented with many options to choose from, including style, colour, lifespan and type of warranty, and of course, price. Even for asphalt shingles alone, there are also many different brands from various manufacturers, with each brand carrying shingles that falls into three categories: Basic Shingles, Mid-Grade Shingles or Premium Shingles
How to decide which roof shingles best suits your roof
So how do you decide which roof shingle to go with? At Smart Roofing, we recommend using the best quality roof shingles while taking into account your budget. Do not simply go with the cheapest option and cheapest price, because as with anything, you get what you pay for. From our experience, higher quality roof shingles will give you the best value and highest warranty, protecting your roof for years to come.
Choose the right roofing contractors
we are dedicated to providing quality craftsmanship to our customers. We are certified Certainteed ShingleMaster™ roof contractors providing extended lifetime warranties from our manufacturers, which includes labour, material, removal and disposal, ensuring maximum lifetime protection from the manufacturer.
Tips for Choosing the Colour of Your Shingles
And how about changing the colour as well?
A roof is a major visual element, sometimes making up a third of the visible portion of your home. This is why you should take into consideration its colour and how well it goes with the house’s exterior surroundings. Making the right choice here can even have a positive impact on the value of your property.
Though sober hues may dominate the market, anything-but-neutral colours have their own fan base with homeowners looking for something a little different. Red, blue, or green roofs can be found from coast to coast, with a concentration of blue and green in the East.
Monochrome roofs are now a thing of the past. The demand is for shingles with nuances and variations. These can be variations on a theme, like two-tone black, or a mix of colours, like Weathered Rock, which combines, grey, brown, and even blue.
Architectural shingles are homeowners’ favourite
Offering a textured effect and more visible gradations of the main hue, architectural (laminate) shingles are the most popular seller at BP. That said, classic three-tab shingles, which offer a more uniform finish, are still quite popular, especially in the East.
Is colour really that important?
Do you doubt the positive impact on your property and its value of choosing the right colour? Read on! In addition to the fun of choosing, the colour of your roof may benefit your property by:
Harmonizing with its environment: Grey and black look great in an urban setting. However, shades of brown will blend in better when a roof is surrounded by trees.
Stand out from the crowd: In a neighbourhood where most of the roofs are brown, a black or grey roof will stand out and add a spark of originality.
Save energy: A dark roof that absorbs heat may be preferable in a colder climate, while a lighter-coloured roof that reflects heat could keep your house cooler in a warmer or more sunny areas.
How to Choose Shingles & Common Utah Roof Maintenance
What are roof shingles made of?
There are multiple types of roof shingles that are made from various materials to choose from. The most common material used to make them is asphalt. They are built with either a fiberglass or organic felt base. Each of these bases are built as a large roll which is then run through a presaturation chamber and put into a saturation tank filled with hot asphalt that attaches the asphalt to the base. Following the asphalt, different granular minerals are added. The minerals allow the shingles to be different colors and keeps the roof protected from harmful UV rays.
Types of roof shingles
Asphalt is the most common type of roofing shingles due to their low cost, ease to install, durability, low maintenance costs and wide variety of colors and styles. Cedar is another option you can choose and is usually found on older homes. As cedar has become more rare (and thus more expensive), most new cedar shingles actually use new growth trees which are more vulnerable to wear and must be chemically treated. The cost to buy, install, and maintain them have made these less common. Choosing tile is also common in some climates. The initial cost is high, but people choose tile because it can offer more durability, longer life, and better heat efficiency in extreme climates.
How often should you replace your roof?
The lifespan of a shingle installation varies widely based on the type you choose, and even the specific style of each type. For example, many common asphalt shingles are rated for a 30-year lifespan, but some are rated for as little as ten or fifteen years. Tile can be rated even longer. The life span also greatly depends on the environment they are in and what work has been performed. Extreme Utah weather such as winds, heat, or cold can greatly decrease how long a roof will last.
What causes roof leaks?
One of the biggest causes is simply the age of the roof. Over time, the Utah weather will wear down or break shingles, resulting in leaks. Clogged rain gutters is another common cause of leaks. When the gutters don’t drain, the water can soak into the wood under the shingles. This is an especially severe problem during the winter, when ice dams are common and can build up in gutters, causing water and ice to seep under the shingles and cause damage. Choosing to perform regular checkups like routinely checking gutters is a simple way to ensure this doesn’t happen. Lack of enough slope on the roof, improperly installed flashing, or excessive moisture all can create leaks.
Why does my roofing sag?
When a roof sags the most common reasons are that either there are faulty materials or too much weight, or a combination of the two. The materials can wear down or even break causing sagging. Regardless of the reason, sagging can be a sign of huge potential problems and should be checked by a Utah roofing contractor immediately.
What are the different types of roof shingles?
you can choose to replace or have installed on your home. Each one has different benefits, costs, materials, and style. We break down all shingled roof types below. Use our quick replacement roof cost chart to get an idea on how much you will spend for each.
Types of Roof Shingles
There are a few things to take into consideration when you are thinking of replacing your home’s roof with new shingles. A new shingled roof is a big investment, so you’ll want to take into consideration the cost to install certain roof shingle types as well as the lifespan you can expect from each
3 Tab Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roof costs are the most affordable as far as installation goes. They are the most common type of roof replacements or new home roof installations that homeowners choose. There are three main types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab asphalt, fiberglass asphalt, and architectural style asphalt shingles. 3 tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable shingle to install but they are thinner, have an organic-mat paper base, and wear out more quickly than fiberglass or architectural shingles.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles are more durable than asphalt shingle options in comparison to 3 tab asphalt shingles. The give off a sculpted look and have an extra laminate layer which contours them to look a bit more designed. Architectural shingles cost a bit more to install at $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot or $150 to $550 per square. They come in more luxurious looking styles that homeowners prefer and can even simulate wood shake designs. Though they are more expensive, they can last up to twice as long as 3-tab asphalt shingles. Architectural asphalt shingles can last from 30 to 50 years or more with proper maintenance. Though some homeowners choose to DIY install a new roof, we highly suggest hiring a local roof contractor to complete the job.
Metal Roof Shingles
Metal roof shingles are stylish in appearance and there are many different color options available to pick from. Metal roof shingles are relatively easily to install and they are very lightweight, making them a good option for homes with a roof system that simply can’t support heavier options. Metal roofing can last from 75 to 100 years and has one of the longest lifespans in comparison to other roof types. Metal roof installation costs near you may differ depending on the average price for labor in your neighborhood. On average metal roofing shingles cost $2.80 to $3.85 per square foot or $280 to $385 per square. Metal roofing also comes in sheet panels as well.