The Pros and Cons of Shingle Roofing

Roof shingles are roof coverings that are constructed by courses of individual tiles laid from the edge of the roof up and each course overlapping the previous one. These shingles are made from a variety of materials. In this article, we will consider the three most popular varieties, which are: asphalt, cedar, and metal.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Which Shingle is Best for You

Whilst, as individuals, we all have our own priorities, there are factors that will influence our decision when we select the type of shingles we prefer. These factors may include the following:

1. Are they affordable?
2. Are they Good Quality?
3. How do they look?
4. Are they hard to install and maintain?
5. Will they be durable?
6. Are they energy efficient?
7. Are they a good choice for the environment?

Shingles are made from a variety of materials and choosing the correct materials for your needs is essential. To keep things simple, we have compared the three most likely choices of materials that you will consider, so we have looked at Asphalt, Cedar, and Metal Shingles to compare them.

Asphalt Shingle

Asphalt shingles have some positive points and some negative ones to consider. We have taken a look at how Asphalt shingles score.

PROS

1. They are affordable: this is why they are the most popular choice.
2. They are lightweight: less weight on the roof rafters
3. They are fire–resistant: better fire rating than others.
4. They offer an excellent lifespan: last approximately 30 years
5. There is a choice of colors and styles: can be modified in many ways.
6. They are energy-efficient: they lower your energy bills.
7. Easy to maintain: any damaged or missing shingles are easily replaced.
8. They are easier to install: Least expensive installation of any shingle.
9. Good for the environment: they are becoming recyclable.

CONS

1. Not so durable: Not such a long lifespan as metal.
2. Not suitable for flat roofs: they will weather quickly on a flat roof.

Cedar Shingles

Cedar shingles are the most attractive to look at, but is this enough to outweigh the disadvantages?

PROS

1. Attractive: Cedar roofs are known for their beautiful appearance
2. The Best for the environment: they are biodegradable
3. They are lightweight: less weight on the rafters.
4. Most energy-efficient: will cut energy costs more than the competition.

CONS

1. They have a short lifespan: you can only expect around 20 to 30 years.
2. Expensive to maintain: they cost more to maintain and install.
3. Installation is hard: this is not a DIY job.
4. High maintenance: very hard to maintain cedar shingles.
5. Highly flammable: beware of some building codes.

Metal Shingles

These long-life shingles are excellent for flat or steep roofs as they resist weathering. However, they are very noisy when it rains.

PROS

1. Great for flat roofs: they resist weathering
2. Really durable: They can easily last up to 50 years.
3. Energy-efficient: they reflect the sun’s rays and keep the house cooler.
4. Resistant to fire: they have excellent safety credentials.
5. Good for the environment: they are recyclable.

CONS

1. Noisy: They create a lot of noise when it rains or hails.
2. They are Expensive: They may last longer but the initial expense is high.
3. Not pretty: Not many people like the way they look.
4. Heavy: They put a strain on the rafters.
5. Not easy to repair: it’s best to avoid DIY repairs.

Recommendation

You can see from the above that there are pros and cons to all of the types of shingles. We all have different priorities when choosing a new roof.

One of the most visible aspects of a house is going to be the roof shingles and the appearance is consequently an important aspect, but so is durability and the cost of maintaining the roof.

If you review the above data, you will probably conclude, as we have, that overall, asphalt offers the most benefits v negatives. You will probably have noticed in your travels that by far the majority of roofs in the United States are covered in asphalt shingles, and this is not a coincidence. The affordability, quality, and maintenance advantages are apparent to most buyers.

However, the installation of a new roof is a major investment, and it makes sense to talk to people who are specialists in this field like Technonicol, who can advise you and answer specific questions you may have.