Homeowners should feel confident that their roof will protect their home from the elements for years to come, and look great while doing so. Depending on budget, style preferences, and your home’s location, there are a few things to consider when deciding how to choose roofing shingles.
What Is Your Budget?
Whether you are replacing an existing roof or building a new one entirely, knowing your budget is step #1 when selecting your shingles.
For those on a smaller budget, the most effective option is usually asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are the easiest to install and come in several varieties:
- 3-tab: The most basic shingle, very uniform in appearance
- Architectural/designer: Thicker, multilayered appearance that adds dimension
- Interlocking: Great for withstanding high winds, these lock together and stay put
When installed properly, these budget-friendly asphalt shingles will do a great job at protecting your home. However, keep in mind that although these shingles save you money upon installation, they will certainly need to be replaced every 20+ years, which may cost you more in the long run if you plan to be in your home for a lifetime.
On the other hand, homeowners working with a larger budget may want to consider metal (such as copper), slate, or tile roof shingles. These shingle types are more expensive to manufacture and install, but can last anywhere from 40 to 100 years, making them a smart long term investment.
Aesthetic Preferences
A roof dictates a lot about the overall look of a home. For those looking for something simple and uniform, 3-tab asphalt shingles will likely do the trick. If not, a more dimensional look can be achieved with architectural shingles while still staying within budget. However, if you are looking for a shingle that lends itself to a craftsman, Tudor, or traditional style, wood shake, metal or tile shingles will likely be a better choice.
- Metal shingles are made from copper, steel, and aluminum, and offer a very sleek and modern appearance to a contemporary home.
- Clay, concrete, or slate tiles are perhaps the most versatile option, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, offering a warm and truly customized look to any home. Plus, this kind of tile roof can often mimic the look of wood shake, but with a longer lifespan.
Environment and Location Play a Role
The weather where you live will also help tell you how to choose your roofing shingles. Clay, concrete, and slate tile shingles work very well in any area. They can withstand high heat and moisture, which is why you’ll often see them in both deserts and beach towns. Metal tiles also perform tremendously against extreme weather, but can be a bit noisy, so they may not be best in a place with a lot of rain or hail.
Asphalt shingles are a great all-season shingle and perform well in most weather situations, but may require a bit more maintenance to make sure they hold up after storms or extreme temperature changes. Consider wood shake if you live in a Goldilocks zone: not too hot, not too cold, not too dry or wet. Wood shingles offer a lot of aesthetic options and easy installation; however, they are susceptible to rot and mildew from rain and snow, pests, and pose a bigger fire hazard than other shingles, so you may want to avoid them in areas with more extreme weather.
Ready to choose your new roof shingles or need more help deciding? The experts at Slate Roof Professionals are here to help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to help you achieve the roof of your dreams!