What Type of Roof Is Right For Me?
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What Type of Roof Is Right For Me?

From natural materials like slate and wood to manmade products such as asphalt, sheet metal, and plastic polymers, there are more types and styles of roofing to choose from today than ever before.

When considering what type of roofing to install, weigh aesthetics against cost. Roofing materials come in varying grades and corresponding prices. Look at the full product range and make a choice based on your budget and needs. Prices and durability can range considerably. Here are the types of roofing to consider.

 

Roofing Pros, roof repair and replacement with professional roofers in Vaughan, Richmond hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Toronto

HOW TO CHOOSE A ROOF FOR YOUR HOME

There are many factors to consider when selecting a roof including:

  • How long will it last?
  • Does it hold up during natural disasters such as wildfires or hurricanes?
  • Is it too heavy for the existing roof framing?
  • Does the roof have enough slope?
  • Will the look complement the style of the house?
  • Are the materials eco-friendly and recyclable?
  • Is the type of roofing allowed by local building codes?
  • And finally, how much does it cost?

 

Types of Roofing Materials

Asphalt shingles

There are two types of asphalt shingles:

  • Fiberglass shingles start with a fiberglass mesh mat that is covered in asphalt and topped with granules that provide color and reflect some of the sunlight.
  • Organic asphalt shingles begin with paper, often recycled, that is saturated in asphalt and covered with granules. The shingles are heavier and harder to work with than fiberglass, but they generally offer better stability in high winds. Although you can still see them on many roofs, organic shingles have been mostly phased out or discontinued over the course of last decade. 

Wood shingles and shakes

Unlike wood shakes, which have a rough and varied appearance, wood shingles are smooth and uniform. A wood shingle is usually cut from cedar, though pressure-treated southern yellow pine is also popular. This choice is more expensive due to higher material and installation costs, but wood shingles should last 30 to 50 years.

  • Wood shingles are machine-cut and feature cleaner edges and a smooth surface to produce a more uniform appearance.
  • Wood shakes are hand-cut from blocks of wood, so have a more rustic appearance. They’re thicker too, so slightly more expensive than wood shingles.

Metal roofing

A properly installed metal roof should last as long as your house, providing complete protection from the elements. Metal resists fire, mildew, insects and rot. Warranties vary widely, but most companies back their products for 20 to 50 years. Metal roofs do have some drawbacks. The pitter-patter of rain and hail can make a metal roof sound like a drum, and hail and other wear and tear can dent and mar the surface. Prices can exceed those of more conventional materials, but you might come out ahead if you stay in your house for a long time.

Benefits of Asphalt Roofing Shingles
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Benefits of Asphalt Roofing Shingles

The Story Behind Shingles

The advantages of a shingle roof are clear. Still, you want to choose the best asphalt shingles for your roof from your many options.

Roofing Pros

By Roofing Pros

More residential customers are having some form of metal roofing installed on their homes, with the perceived advantages of metal roofing systems being longer lasting and stronger than traditional asphalt shingles.

The type of roof your home has plays a significant role as far as your home’s durability and aesthetics are concerned. There are different types of roofing materials that you can choose for you house. However, when it comes to the decision on the type of roofing to have, asphalt roofing shingles are a great idea.

“Selecting the right material for your roofing is an important decision. Each option has its own pros and cons. Metal roofs, for instance, have been gaining in popularity because of their strength, but they can be pricier.”

Here are some benefits you get from asphalt shingle roofing:

Ease of installation
As they are lighter than other materials, they offer ease of installation. Additionally, they don’t require costly support structures. Installing asphalt shingles will save you time and money in the long run.

Cost-Effective
Asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing materials upfront, and they still last long enough to provide the most value over the long term. Those who need more weather, fire, or wind resistance can find those features in performance shingles, without incurring too much extra cost.

Energy-Efficiency
How well a roof consumes energy matters most as far as the level of heating and cooling in the house is concerned. Cool roofs are an important element in any house since they ensure that certain requirements –cooling and heating –are achieved and maintained through the deflection of solar heat and sunlight. Some types of shingles come in cool colors though they retain their reflective abilities.

Durable
Asphalt shingles are among the most resilient materials. They can offer maximum protection, even under the harshest weather conditions. Due to its thick surface, water and snow cannot penetrate this material easily. Most asphalt shingle roofs can last up to 50 years, depending on the quality of installation and the warranties that cover them.

Sound Protection
One underestimated advantage of a shingle roof is its ability to insulate sound. The composition of asphalt roofing shingles in a complete roofing system offers sound protection from external noise. Asphalt shingles can be significantly quieter than metal roofs, depending on the design, and much quieter with large downpours and hail.