Main Categories

Other Resources

Pages

OnlineEarnings Article Board » Home » Home-improvement » Roofing Shingles - Making The Right Choice For Your Home
Welcome Guest

Roofing Shingles - Making The Right Choice For Your Home

Author: NedD'Agostino
Total views: 76
Word Count: 756
View PDF

Add2Netvouz

If it's time to get a new roof, perhaps the biggest decision you make will be what type of roofing shingles you use. Don't think you are simply limited to what you already use, there are plenty of choices out there to give you the look and durability you want. Of course you also want to stay within your budget, and if you plan on installing it yourself, you need something relatively easy to work with as well. True there are other options besides shingles, but this clearly remains the most popular choice. So what kind should you get?

What you want to do is look at the good points and bad points of each of the three major shingle types. How long will they last, what do they look like, and how much do they cost?

We'll start by looking at the most common shingles, ones made from asphalt. These shingles are the lowest cost, but don't let that scare you. Drive down any neighborhood and you'll see that the majority of houses are probably roofed in asphalt. Generally these shingles will cost between $15 and $25 dollars per square. And if you have any experience at all, these will also be the easiest to install since they are lightweight and flexible. And if it's been a while since you put on a new roof, you might be surprised at the number of color and style options now available. Getting the look you want will not be a problem. Add in the fact that they are fire resistant and durable enough to last up to 30 years with proper care, and you can see why these are so popular.

So what are the drawbacks? Well they can be damaged by high winds. So if you live in an area where hurricanes or tornadoes are common, this could be a problem. And unless specially treated, asphalt shingles can also be vulnerable to mold. And although they will last up to 30 years, that's not very long compared to other types of shingles.

Those are just a few of the reasons slate shingles are becoming more popular. Slate and stone are impossible to beat when it comes to durability. Chances are you'll never need another roof as these will last a century or more. Slate will also give your home a more natural look, and of course there is a huge variety of styles and colors to choose from. Use slate, and you can have a home that looks different from every other house in your neighborhood.

But like all our choices here, there are some drawbacks to using slate. You can start with the cost. These are easily the most expensive shingles, costing in the area of $850 for 100 square feet. They are also so heavy that most home simply aren't equipped to handle them. Chances are the rafters will need to be reinforced unless you want the roof to cave in. That weight plus the fact that they break easily also makes them difficult to install. It's not a job you'll want to do by yourself. You'll almost definitely need to hire a professional.

Your third shingle option is wood or shake. These are made from different types of treated wood. Cedar is the most popular choice for wood shakes, but you can also find them in spruce and pine. Installation is relative easy and shake roofs look great. They will also last about 50 years if treated properly.

There are two major problems with shake roofs. The first is that they are not fireproof, and that can be dangerous. The second is cost related and also related to the danger. Having a wood roof can make your insurance costs go up tremendously. It's a good idea to check with your insurance company to see the difference before installing shake shingles. You'll also find shake roofs more expensive than asphalt, though not as costly as slate. In many cases you'll probably be paying about $250 per 100 square feet. Wood roofs also require more maintenance or they will splinter, mold or rot.

Obviously there are pros and cons with all your roofing choices. Again asphalt remains the most popular because it can look great, last a long time, and is comparatively inexpensive. If money is no object, slate is a great choice. But no matter what you decide, if you don't know much about roofing it's best to have it professionally installed. You may end up saving money by not having to hire someone to come in later and fix any problems.

About the Author

To learn more about roofing material visit www.roofing-information.com, a well known website looking at not only shingles but other types materials that can be used like metal roofing.