What Type of Roofing Shingles Are Right for Your Home?
Whether metal, or any one of a number of types of wood, selecting the right kind of shingle for your roof is an important choice. Do you know what to look for?
8 Types of Roofing Shingles: What’s Right for Your Home?
When it’s time to choose shingles for your home’s roof, there are two major considerations: substance and style. You’ll need to choose which materials your shingles will be made from, and you’ll need to choose which shape or style you want as well. There are many things to consider in order to make the best choice for your roof replacement.
Shingle Material
Composite Shingles
If you are looking into getting a new roof in Cincinnati, you may be curious about what options you have in terms of roofing materials. If you’ve already decided to go with shingles, the most frequently used shingle for roofs in the Cincinnati area is the composite shingle. Composite shingles are made of a combination of fiberglass and asphalt, and can be manufactured in more shapes and sizes than other shingles at a similar price point. They are available with features including resistance to impact, wind and fire. Design flexibility and reliable durability make composite shingles a consistently popular choice with Cincinnati roofing companies (like Harper Siding and Roofing) and homeowners, alike. Most composite roofing shingles also have a 20-30 year warranty, which adds to their value over time.
Metal Roofing Shingles
In recent years, metal shingles have become one of the more frequently used roofing materials because they also have some very appealing qualities. Metal shingles are a very durable roofing product, and they have the substance and stability that is required in areas with high winds. Metal shingles also have the design flexibility to accommodate a variety of aesthetic preferences. Metal shingles require less maintenance than many of the other shingle varieties on the market, making them a wise choice for homeowners who have priorities in their lives other than roof maintenance. At Harper Siding and Roofing, two of the most popular metal shingles we install are stone-coated steel shingles and steel shingles/shakes. Stone-coated steel shingles have the beautiful look of stone, with the ease of maintenance that comes with a metal roofing material, making them a fantastic choice for creating an upscale look with a lot less work (and cost).
Wood Shingles
It’s hard to beat the classic look of wooden shingles, and some homeowners go with wood for the aesthetic appeal. If you want the authentic look of a shake roof, then wooden shakes are truly the only way to go! Keep in mind, though, that although the looks is definitely classic, wood shakes require more maintenance than metal or composite, and they can be attractive to wood-boring insects. (Metal and composite roofs are also more fire resistant and can sometimes come with a longer warranty).
Shingle Styles
3-Tab Shingles
3-tab shingles look thinner and create a less dimensional appearance. The warranty is typically shorter than other styles, because their thin construction doesn’t tend to give them a very long lifespan.
Dimensional Shingles
Dimensional shingles are sometimes referred to as laminated or architectural shingles, and have a less flat and more interesting appearance. These are a very popular choice, and often carry a 30-year warranty.
Premium Shingles
These shingles have more design improvements than dimensional shingles and may even be double laminated with a fiberglass reinforcement. They can sometimes mimic much more expensive roofing options at a reasonable cost.
Impact Resistant
Specifically designed to be more resistant than other shingles to impact. These shingles must be tested using the UL 2218 standard and are recommended for areas where storms or high winds are a problem.
Shakes
These are beautiful but they are costly to install and require a lot of maintenance. Today, shakes are usually replicated with materials that have much more durability and are less costly.
Affordable Cincinnati Roofers
If you are researching Cincinnati Roofing companies in preparation for a new roof (or repairing a damaged roof), contact Harper Siding and Roofing today for an estimate by using our online contact form, or by calling us directly at 513.444.6098.