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Choosing the best possible roof for your home and installing the right shingles is important for both the functionality and curb appeal of your home. Your roof is one of the essential elements of your home because of the protection it provides from debris, various weather conditions, and more. Since shingles are the most exposed part of a roof and have the most direct contact with the weather, they act as an essential component of the defense against the elements.
Your home’s resale value, energy efficiency, and overall durability can all be improved with the right shingle choice. However, making the wrong decision can result in problems and expensive repairs down the road. The following article will help you choose the right shingle for your home by explaining the different types, their specific look, and their pros and cons.
The current market features various roofing shingle styles, each offering unique features and visual appeal. Here are the most common types:
Asphalt Shingles
Types of Asphalt Styles:
3-Tab Asphalt Shingles:
Traditional 3-tab asphalt shingles are simple and uniform. As the name suggests, one shingle looks like three because they’re rectangular and have three evenly spaced tabs or notches along their lower edge. They are usually made of a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic granules.
Dimensional Shingles or Architectural Shingles:
If you’re looking for a way to add some style and personality to your home, dimensional asphalt shingles might be what you’re looking for. These shingles feature a multi-dimensional design that mimics the look of more expensive roofing materials. They also offer superior protection against weather elements, so they’re an excellent choice for residential roofing projects.
Luxury Asphalt Shingles:
Luxury asphalt shingles are also called designer or high-end asphalt shingles due to their contrast to regular asphalt shingles, which have fewer features. These shingles are made to look like slate or wood, which are more expensive roofing materials, but they have the benefit of asphalt and come in a thicker profile to provide more durability.
Fish Scale Asphalt Shingles:
Properly named fish scale asphalt shingles are a roofing material designed to mimic the appearance of fish scales. These shingles have all the benefits of traditional asphalt shingles, including affordability and durability, while giving your home a stand-out look.
Diamond-Shaped Asphalt Shingles:
Diamond-shaped asphalt shingles are another roofing material with a distinctive design. These shingles add a unique and eye-catching pattern to the roof that is different from more traditional 3-tab shingles. The lifespan of diamond-shaped asphalt shingles typically ranges from 20-30 years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 3-Tab shingles are a budget-friendly option among asphalt shingles, making them popular for budget-conscious homeowners. | Compared to architectural or luxury shingles, 3-tab shingles lack the dimensional look and textured appearance, which may be preferred by those seeking a more upscale aesthetic. |
| Their lightweight nature makes them easier to install and puts less strain on the roof’s structure. | Typically have a shorter lifespan, averaging around 15-20 years. |
| Due to its uniform design, the installation process is simple. | Due to their flat profile, 3-tab shingles are more susceptible to wind uplift, especially during severe storms. |
Top Manufacturers:
GAF: Royal Sovereign® Shingles
CertainTeed: XT™ 25 Shingles
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles, typically crafted from cedar, redwood, or pine, offer a warm, earthy, and rustic aesthetic. When maintained properly, they can last for decades while also providing excellent insulation.
Type of Wooden Shingle Styles:
Wood Shake Shingles:
These shingles are typically hand-split from logs, creating a rustic, textured appearance that varies from shake to shake, giving each one a unique look. This distinctive, rugged aesthetic is often associated with historical homes but is also popular in contemporary design for its earthy appeal. Wood shakes are thicker at the butt end than shingles, providing a distinct shadow line that enhances the roof’s dimensional effect.
Wood Sawn Shingles:
Wood-sawn shingles, also typically made from cedar, offer a smoother and more uniform appearance compared to shake shingles. These shingles are machine-cut, resulting in a precise and clean finish. Both sides are sawn to create a consistent thickness throughout, giving the roof a tidy, uniform look. Wood-sawn shingles are thinner than shakes, which makes them lighter and easier to install, but they may not offer the same level of dimensional appeal. The craftsmanship involved in creating wood-sawn shingles provides a balance of durability and elegance, complementing a wide range of architectural styles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| When properly maintained, wood-sawn and shake shingles can have a long lifespan, lasting up to 30-50 years. | Wood shingles are more susceptible to pests, such as insects and rodents. |
| Wood shingles provide natural insulation, helping to regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption. | Wood shingles can pose a fire risk. However, treated, or fire-rated options, are available to mitigate this concern. |
Top Manufacturer:
Capital Forest Products: Shakertown®
Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are known for their longevity, fire resistance, and low maintenance requirements, and they offer an elegant and distinctive look. However, slate shingles are heavier and more expensive than other options.
Type of Slate Shingles Styles:
Natural Slate Shingles:
Natural slate shingles are made from thin layers of stone split or quarried into flat, rectangular pieces. They offer an elegant and sophisticated look due to their natural color, texture, and thickness variation. If installed and maintained properly, natural slate shingles can last over a century.
Synthetic Slate Shingles:
Synthetic slate shingles are made from recycled rubber, plastic, or both, and resemble natural slate. They look like slate shingles but are lighter, cheaper, and have more color options available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Both natural and synthetic slate shingles are exceptionally durable. | Improper installation can cause damage to the structural integrity of the slate. |
| Natural slate shingles are highly resistant to harsh weather conditions, including wind, rain, and UV exposure. | Comparatively expensive and require sourcing from specific quarries. |
Top Manufacturer:
American Slate Company: CUPA 14
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles are becoming more popular due to their durability, energy efficiency, and longevity. They are made of steel, aluminum, or copper and mimic the appearance of other materials, like slate or wood.
Type of Metal Shingles Styles:
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles:
Metal shingles with stone coating are designed to resemble traditional roofing materials such as slate or clay tiles. They are made from metal panels coated with a layer of stone granules, providing a textured and dimensional appearance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Metal roofing shingles can withstand severe weather conditions. | These shingles are more susceptible to denting, which decreases the structural integrity and durability of the roof. |
| They require minimal maintenance and are resistant to rot and insect damage. | Metal roofs can be noisy during heavy rain or hail. |
Tile Shingles
Tile shingles are roofing materials consisting of individual tiles formed from clay or concrete. They are a unique and aesthetically pleasing roofing option and are well-known for their distinctive appearance and durability.
Type of Tile Shingles Styles:
Clay Tile Shingles:
Clay tile shingles are manufactured from natural clay, which is molded and fired to produce a roofing material that is both long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. They give roofs a traditional and timeless appearance and can be found in various shapes, such as barrel and S-shaped tiles. Additionally, the color palette of clay tiles is vast, spanning from terracotta to muddy browns.
Concrete Tile Shingles:
Concrete tiles are made just as you would expect, from a mix of cement, sand, and water.
They are made to look like conventional clay tiles but come in a wider variety of sizes and colors. Tiles made of concrete can look like slate, wood shakes, or clay, expanding the range of possible architectural styles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Tile shingles offer high durability, clay tiles last around 50 to 100 years, and concrete tiles 30 to 50 years. | Tile shingles are fragile and can crack or break if they are hit or carelessly walked on during maintenance or inspections. |
| Tile shingles require minimal maintenance and are resistant to rot, insect damage, and fading. | Tile shingles are generally more expensive than asphalt shingles and some other roofing materials. They are also heavier |
Top Manufacturers:
Westlake Royal Building Solutions™: 1-Piece “S” Tile – Bermuda Blend and 2-Piece Mission – Bermuda Blend
Other Types of Shingles
Composite Shingles:
Composite shingles are also known as synthetic shingles and are typically made from synthetic polymers, fiberglass, and asphalt. Together, they form a sturdy roofing material that can withstand any extreme weather conditions. They are made to look like traditional roofing materials like slate, or tile while being more durable, energy-efficient, and affordable.
Bamboo Fiber Shingles:
Bamboo shingles, as the name suggests, are roofing materials made from bamboo fibers. Bamboo fiber composite shingles are made by processing bamboo fibers with a binder or resin to make durable roofing panels or shingles. These shingles are eco-friendly and provide a unique roof look.
Top Manufacturer (Composite):
CeDUR: CeDUR Shakes
Conclusion
Selecting the right roof shingles can affect your roof’s appearance, durability, and performance. Climate, architectural style, maintenance, and personal preferences should always come into play when selecting any roofing materials. By researching, getting professional advice, and weighing your priorities, you can find the perfect roof shingles to meet your needs and enhance your home or building’s beauty and functionality.
If you’re looking to replace your roofing shingles, consult with our roofing professionals at ReNew Roofing to assess your specific needs and explore the available options. Schedule a consultation today at (813) 400-3329 and make the right choice for your roof!
