Types of Roof Shingles

Types of Roof Shingles

When it comes to selecting the right roofing material for your property, homeowners can often feel overwhelmed by the amount of options available to them. Each type of shingle can offer various benefits in terms of longevity, durability, appearance, cost, and installation requirements. In this article we will dive into the different types of shingles so that you can make an informed decision to purchase the right roofing materials for your build!

If you are looking at replacing your roof, asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing option for homeowners thanks to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and ease of installation. They come in two main varieties: three-tab shingles and architectural shingles (dimensional shingles). Three-tab shingles are budget-friendly and offer a flat appearance, while architectural shingles are thicker, providing a more dimensional look to your roof.

3-Tab Shingles or Architectural Shingles: Which is Right For You?

  • Thickness: Architectural shingles are typically thicker than three tab shingles which produces a more “full” and dimensional look to your roof. In comparison, 3-tab shingles are usually more flat.
  • Durability: Due to the increased thickness of architectural shingles, they are also more durable than their 3-tab counterpart. The increased thickness is better in preventing curling from high-speed winds, and allows for a larger barrier between the elements and your home.
  • Longevity: 3-tab and architectural shingles will last somewhere between 15-20 years depending on the type of shingle.
  • Cost: When it comes to pricing of asphalt shingles, you get what you pay for. The benefits of Architectural shingles come at a cost that is typically at least 8-12% that of a standard three tab shingle.

So you might be wondering, “What is the average cost of a new roof with asphalt shingles?”. Well, according to GAF, the average price for a roof replacement on a home with asphalt shingles in 2021 was $10,419. This cost is influenced by a variety of different factors such as roofing materials, roof pitch and slope, home size, and location.

For Your average home in Georgia, you can expect to spend between $17,000 and $19,000 for a roof replacement, however, this cost can be much higher depending on the type of roofing materials you choose and other factors mentioned previously.

Residential Roofing

Over the last several years, metal roofing has increased in popularity. This is due to a variety of reasons, but mainly price, options, and durability. Compared to asphalt shingles, Metal roofing shingles last up to 40-70 years. Now when you consider the price similarity between an architectural shingle and metal shingle, this can be pretty attractive to homeowners.

In addition to metal roofing shingles, R-Panels are ProShield Roofing’s most commonly found type of metal roof paneling. These are similar to shingles, though they come in Panels that can be snapped together to form a roof. This is very often found on structures such as barn dominium’s and commercial properties. They offer the same great benefits of Shingles, in a different format and with an easier install process.

If you are interested in an R-Panel style roof, ProShield Roofing is happy to help owners decide which type is best for their property!

Which Type of Metal Roofing Shingle and R-Panel is Right For You?

  • Steel: Steel shingles are typically going to be the most cost effective metal roofing solution. These shingles are low maintenance, heat resistant, and durable, making them a great choice for many homeowners.
  • Aluminum: Aluminum roofing panels and shingles come at a higher cost than steel shingles, however, offer the added benefit of being both corrosion-resistant and lightweight. On the other hand, aluminum roofing materials may be more susceptible to denting and have less available color options to choose from.
  • Copper: Copper roofing shingles are not as common as aluminum or steel. They are expensive and due to being a softer metal are also easily dented. On the flipside, once copper is exposed to the elements it will not rust. This makes it a great solution for people on the coast or in salty locations if they want a very durable roof that will last for decades.
  • Zinc: Similar to copper roofing shingles, zinc is also an expensive and tough to get material for any roof. However, they look great and offer many of the same benefits that copper roofs also pose.

Pros And Cons of Wooden shakes and Shingles

When it comes to having an enchanting atmosphere or appearance on a home, there is no better alternative than a wooden roof. Wooden roof shingles can be made from cedar, redwood, pine, and various other types of woods. These shingles add a natural and rustic charm to any home. However, like anything else, this comes with pros and cons.

Pros of wooden shingles

  • Appearance: Wooden roofs are unique and stand out from your typically asphalt roofing shingle or metal roofing solution.
  • Energy Savings: Due to the nature of wood being a poor heat conductor, it provides great insulation benefits for your home.
  • Wind resistance: Given the weight and strength of wood, wooden roofing shingles can be an excellent solution to stability in high-speed wind environments.
  • Options: Wooden Roofs provide tons of options for home owners to get the exact look they are looking for!

Cons of wooden shingles

  • Fire Resistance: The biggest drawback to wooden roofing is the concern of fire resistance. Wood is highly flammable and in the right circumstances can catch fire more easily.
  • Water Resistance: Overtime wood will inevitably rot due to moisture exposure.
  • Pests: Pests such as termites can also be a concern for homeowners with a wooden roof as they thrive in wood.

We all love efficiency and when that can be incorporated into your home, that can be a huge upside. Solar Shingles are newer technology that have the appearance of traditional roofing shingles but offer the benefit of converting the suns energy into electricity.

Solar shingles are not cheap and may be a significant investment for some homeowners, however, the upside is that they help eliminate your electrical costs. These type of roofing shingles will typically be ideal for warmer climates that receive lots of sunlight. Additionally, for those who want to move “off the grid” and still have access to electricity independently, solar shingles can be a great solution.

Your typical asphalt roof may last somewhere between 15 and 20 years. Though, it is said that solar shingles offer the advantage of lasting up to 20 – 30 years at max energy output. The downside is that the cost can also be up to 20x higher than traditional asphalt shingles at a staggering $21 – $25 per sq. foot meaning that this is an investment worth considering if you are looking to reap the benefits of a highly efficient roofing system.

Slate Roofing Shingles and Tiles

When it comes to a roof that looks great and lasts seemingly “forever”, slate roofs are probably what comes to mind.

Slate Roofing shingles and tiles have a very natural appearance and an impressive lifespan that can exceed 100 years. These types of roofing shingles offer a host of benefits ranging from fire and water resistance to impressive wind resistance. All while being extremely durable.

So, you might be wondering what are the drawbacks?

  • Weight: One of the biggest factors to consider if you are wanting a slate roof is that due to the weight, your property must be reinforced to handle the additional weight. Not only do we need to account for the weight of the material, but also high volumes of snow if you are in a region with a very cold climate.
  • Installation: due to the nature of slate being more rare and difficult to work with, finding a roofer to install slate roofing might be a costly-challenge.
  • Material Cost: the range of cost for the slate shingles or tiles can vary from $5 per sq. foot on the low end to over $30 per sq. foot on the high end.

Despite the drawbacks of slate shingles and tiles, there are also many upsides

  • Longevity: The expected life span of slate roofing systems can be in the ballpark of 100 years.
  • Durability: Resistance to elements such as rain, fire and mold or mildew.
  • Customization: Slate roofing can come in a variety of styles and colors so that you can get the exact look you are chasing for your home.
  • Low maintenance: due to being resistant from mold and mildew, you can expect to spend less on maintaining your roofs appearance opposed to more budget oriented shingles.

If you are in the market for a slate roof, be it shingles or tiles, we highly recommend that you consult a professional to see what the costs involved are and to see if your property can currently support this type of roofing system.

Composite or synthetic (designer) shingles are made from a mixture of materials, including plastic, designed to mimic the appearance of wood shake or slate singles and tiles. They offer a lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly alternative, with many products made from recycled materials. Composite shingles are resistant to weather, fire, and impact, making them a versatile choice for many homeowners.

Designer Composite shingles are also 3-tab architectural shingles. This is very similar to the first section of the article, however, instead of being asphalt shingles, they are composite. A good example of this is “Davinci” shingles. These Shingles can also be rated in different classes including but not limited to class 3 hail resistant shingles. This makes composite shingles a very versatile choice similar to traditional asphalt shingles.

Pros of composite shingles:

  • Resistant: composite (synthetic) shingles are very strong and offer a good level of impact resistance from the elements that your roof may be exposed to. In addition, because they are plastic, they will not rot or rust.
  • lightweight: These shingles are very lightweight making them a good solution for a variety of builds and projects where weight and support is a concern.
  • Lifespan: composite shingles can last upwards of 40 years giving your home long-lasting protection.

Cons of composite shingles:

  • Pricing: Composite (synthetic) shingles can be very expensive when compared to architectural or 3 tab asphalt shingles. Pricing can generally be over $12 per sq. foot.

Homeownership can be a large responsibility and requires a lot of learning. ProShield Roofing tries to make it easy for homeowners to learn about the different type of shingle options they have so that they can make an informed decision in protecting their home. If you have any questions about getting a certain type of shingle installed on your homes roof, feel free to reach out to us and we will be happy to help!