These days it’s hard for manufacturers of different roofing products to keep their sales high if they don’t stay in touch with the demands and needs of consumers. This applies to those companies that make roofing shingles too. At one time shingles were basically a one size fits all type of roof covering. All that has now changed as shingles have evolved into a roof covering that offers a large selection of different styles, types and price ranges.
That also means that picking out the type of shingles you want to put on your home or business takes more time too. In order to make the best choice for yourself you will need to know what types of shingles are out there in the roofing marketplace and a little bit more about each one. That is exactly what you will learn in this article.
The Most Commonly Used Types of Shingles
Asphalt Shingles
By far and away these are the most popular type of roofing shingle. Much of that has to do with their decent useful life combined with their excellent price point. They are also fairly easy to put down and if installed right can handle even more severe types of weather.
Standard 3-tab shingles
This is the basic oldie but goody type of roofing shingle. They are still in widespread use today but that is changing with all the different types of roofing shingle that are entering the marketplace. These are still your best roof covering value.
Fiberglass
These are really just basic 3-tab shingle products that have extra fiberglass used in their composition. The benefit of doing that is these shingles will last much longer than traditional 3-tab roofing shingles.
Architectural (Dimensional, Designer) Shingles
If you want to get the look of expensive slate, wood or other roofing shingles without the cost, then these roofing shingles are what you want to choose. They mimic the looks of these costlier roofing shingles because of the unique way they are designed.
Luxury Shingles
These are decorative shingle styles on steroids. They tend to not only mimic more expensive types of roofing shingles but do it in a much more pronounced way. You might say they have almost a 3D look to them. Many luxury shingle products also have extra thickness to help them last longer.
Clay and Concrete Shingles
You will pay a little more for these types of roofing shingles but they create a very unique look. They tend to give a home or business a more rustic and classic look. They are not impervious to large hail and other extreme weather conditions.
Slate Shingles
These natural looking shingles will add a distinct look to any home or business they are placed on. They can be a little pricey but well worth it for the unique look they create and for how long they last.
Wood Shake and Wood Shingles
Here is another shingle product that will give your home or business a timeless and more classic look. Wood shingles can get damaged under severe weather conditions and require a little upkeep to keep them looking nice as they age. They are the most green type of roofing material too.
Synthetic/Composite
One of the biggest complaints about natural roofing shingles is they are delicate when installing them and hail can tear them to pieces. These types of tile give you a similar look but are virtually indestructible. They can be somewhat pricey but you should never have to replace them again.
Metal
No longer is metal just laid down in sheets on roofs. Many companies are starting to make more metal shingle products. Metal shingles are not the cheapest roof covering available but they look great and will last an extremely long time.
Rubber
Using rubber shingles is not for everyone because in most cases they are not as decorative as many other roofing shingle types. What you will get them is a lower cost roof covering that is almost impervious to just about any weather or environmental conditions you can throw at them.
Why is Choosing the Right Type of Roofing Shingle Important?
There are several reasons why it’s nice to have a variety of shingle choices for your home or business’s roof. These choices go well beyond just the looks of different shingles also. You have to match the type of shingles that are available to your specific needs.
Here are some of the main characteristics of roofing shingles to factor in when deciding which shingle choice is right for you:
- Style/Looks – what type of look are you trying to achieve with your new shingle type.
- Longevity – factor in things such as how long you plan on owning your home or business and then get a shingle that fits into that accordingly. Don’t invest in 30 year rated shingles if you know you will outgrow your current home in 5 years.
- Installation costs – standard 3-tab shingles are fairly inexpensive and easy to install because it does not take much work to get them looking good. On the other hand; decorative, wood, slate and other non-asphalt styles of shingle require much more precision when installing them and will in turn cost more to get that done.
- Energy efficiency – make sure you know the cost savings potential on your energy bill for the different types of roofing shingles that are available.
Choose the Right Roofing Contractor to Install Your New Roofing Shingles
Just as the types of roofing shingles that are available in the marketplace have changed, so too have the best and most trusted methods to lay them down on your roof. That’s why you need a roofing contractor that stays up to date on the latest and best methods to install all different types of roofing shingles. The contractor you can depend upon in the Portland and Beaverton, Oregon area is Evergreen Renovations & Roofing. The importance of finding a good roofing contractor to install your new shingles cannot be emphasized enough.
