Roofing Shingles - Making The Right Choice For Your Home

There are plenty of options when it comes to getting a new roof, but roofing shingles are still the most popular choice among homeowners. And while this sounds easy enough, there are even more choices that have to be made when it comes to deciding on the type of shingles. You have a budget, so you have to stay within a certain cost. You also want your new roof to last a long time. Of course you want it to look good. And if you plan on doing the job yourself, you need them to be easy to install as well.

There are primarily three types of shingles to choose from. And each of them has pluses and minuses. All have different costs, lifespans and looks. The good news is that all are durable, and will probably last as long as you live in your home.

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.

But that doesn’t mean these are the perfect shingles for everyone. Do you live in a high wind area where tornadoes and hurricanes are commonplace? If so you might want to look at other alternatives, since these shingles will be damaged by high winds. And make sure they are specially treated since they can also be vulnerable to mold as well. And even though they can last up to 30 years, other shingle types will last much longer.

Those few drawbacks obviously haven’t kept asphalt from remaining the most popular, but slate shingles are slowly closing the gap. There are several reasons for this. First of all, slate or stone will give your home a more natural look. And with so many choices available, you’ll easily be able to match the existing look of your home and still have it look different from every other home in the neighborhood. But most people who choose slate do so because of its durability. These roofs can last over 100 years. Choose slate now, and chances are you’ll never have to worry about putting on a new roof again.

But slate also has some disadvantages. It is extremely heavy, which means not all homes can accommodate it. In many cases the rafters need to be reinforced just to prevent the roof from caving in. And putting on a slate roof is not a job for the do it yourselfer. It breaks easily and will need to be installed by a professional. And that’s not to mention the cost. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $850 per 100 square feet.

Many people think the third option on our list looks the best. Wood or shake shingles can be absolutely beautiful. Treated cedar is the most popular, but you can also get these shingles in pine or spruce. In addition to looking good, shake roofs are not too difficult to install. And they will last about 50 years if treated properly.

But shake roofs are not fireproof, and in addition to the inherant danger, it can also quickly inflate your insurance costs. You should probably check with your insurance company before installing a shake roof because you may be shocked at the difference in price. The upfront cost is also greater than asphalt, although not as high as slate. Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $250 per 100 square feet. And be ready to do some maintenance or the wood can mold, splinter 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.