pros and cons of each major roofing material<\/a> on the market today. But here, we want to look at 4 key factors to consider in making your decision on roofing shingles:<\/p>\n1. Sufficient Protection<\/h2>\n
Consider the strength of the shingle as compared to the climate zone in which you live. Cedar shakes, for example, can be treated for fire resistance but won\u2019t be as fireproof as are clay or concrete shingles. Concrete and slate get you the highest wind resistance, while metal is the most lightweight and eco-friendly (fully recyclable).<\/p>\n
Asphalt shingles don\u2019t necessarily score number one in any protection category, but they score good overall. Asphalt gets you good wind and fire resistance with only moderate weight added to your roof – and they can be recycled to protect the environment.<\/p>\n
2. Shingle Life Span<\/h2>\n
Durability is as important a factor as performance because, after all, good protection that doesn\u2019t last just means early replacement and greater cost. The warranty generally reflects the longevity of the shingle – it may not match it precisely, but it\u2019s a good rule of thumb. So prefer shingles with 25 year and longer warranties.<\/p>\n
Asphalt shingles usually last 20 to 25 years or longer, depending on the brand and the grade. You can get the longest durability out of clay tiles (but they can chip because of brittleness) and concrete and slate (but they are a lot more expensive). Metal roofing can be moderate to long in lifespan, and cedar and redwood have moderate durability.<\/p>\n
3. Installation Cost<\/h2>\n
To determine the cost of materials, you first get the total square footage of your roof. You can get the number off a blueprint, or you can get a roofer to measure it for you. If it\u2019s a simple shaped roof and you\u2019re able to walk on your rooftop safely, you could just measure it yourself.<\/p>\n
You have to add 10% to the square footage number to account for material waste because some are unavoidable. For a more cut up roof, maybe add 15% to be safe. Multiply that 110% number by the per-square-foot cost of each roofing material. Next, you have to get quotes from local roofing contractors so you can add in the labor costs.<\/p>\n
4. Style & Color<\/h2>\n
Three-tab asphalt shingles are the standard, but you can also buy architectural asphalt shingles or ones with half-moon tabs instead of rectangles to add curb appeal. Many prefer the looks of wood shakes for their natural appeal, and clay tiles create a fabulous Southwestern look.<\/p>\n
The style is very personal. There are many styles to choose from, but more with some shingle-types than others. Color should complement or nicely contrast with the siding color – but realize that darker colors tend to absorb more heat and retain it longer. Lighter colors will help to keep your attic cooler and may lower your monthly energy bill.<\/p>\n
These are only four of the most important factors to consider when deciding among roofing shingle types. For additional advice, consult your roofer, and he will help you get a more detailed cost-benefit analysis on which to base your decision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whether your roof has suffered severe storm damage, keeps on leaking after repeated repairs, is past its warranty, or is just showing its age and signs of wear, it may be time to invest in a brand new roof. Maybe you\u2019re sure you want the \u201cshingled look,\u201d but you\u2019re not sure which type of shingle is best. The truth is, each type of roofing shingle has its own set of pros and cons and what\u2019s best for one home and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":10000222,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[211],"yoast_head":"\n
Choosing The Right Shingles For Your New Roof - Maggwire<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maggwire.com\/choosing-shingles-for-roof\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Choosing The Right Shingles For Your New Roof - Maggwire\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether your roof has suffered severe storm damage, keeps on leaking after repeated repairs, is past its warranty, or is just showing its age and signs of wear, it may be time to invest in a brand new roof. Maybe you\u2019re sure you want the \u201cshingled look,\u201d but you\u2019re not sure which type of shingle is best. 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