5 Common Types of Roof Shingles
- By Admin
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- 06 Apr, 2021
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Roof shingles keep the house warm and provide the ultimate defense against harsh weather. The right shingles can also increase the value of your home, should you decide to sell it. For these reasons, you should ensure that your shingles remain in excellent condition.
The shingles you choose should offer maximum protection to your home. To help you pick the right shingles for your home, learn about the five main types of shingles.
1. Wood Shingles
Wood shingles come from cedar, pine, and other types of quality timber. They give a house a traditional yet stylish look.
Additionally, wood shingles are great in cold areas because of the warmth they provide. However, they can still fit well in extremely warm areas, but you should protect them against fire because they are vulnerable to fire.
You should only choose the best quality timber if you need your wooden shingles to remain intact for a prolonged period. Additionally, you should coat and treat them regularly to prevent cracks and keep off termites and other pests. If one of the wood shingles gets damaged, you should consider replacement and not repair to maintain a good look for your roof.
2. Solar Shingles
Solar shingles act as a roof and solar panel at the same time. They attract warmth during the day, which you can later use as your power source at night. Should you decide to use them, you should only install the solar shingles on the side of the roof that gets the most sunrays.
The cost of solar shingles is relatively higher than that of the other types due to the solar power generation feature. However, you can use the shingles for a long time, provided you regularly inspect them and remove any debris that could prevent direct sunrays.
3. Rubber Shingles
You can install rubber shingles if energy efficiency is a priority to you. Like timber, rubber keeps the house warm, which translates to lower energy costs.
Rubber shingles are easy to install. The maintenance is also simple because they are resistant to adverse weather conditions. Economically, the cost of rubber shingles is higher than other options, like asphalt, but the long-term costs are often worth it because you don't spend a lot on maintenance.
Rubber shingles come in black, brown, or red colors, but you can still customize your shingles to your preferred color and design.
4. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt is one of the most popular roofing materials in warm areas. The shingles deflect the sunrays to prevent excessive warmth in the house, hence their popularity in hot areas. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and repair too. On the downside, strong winds and storms can easily damage poorly installed shingles, hence the need for expert installations. Bit your asphalt shingles can remain intact for longer with proper maintenance.
Asphalt shingles come in three main types: the architectural shingle, 3-tab, and the hip and ridge.
4. Metal Shingles
Metal shingles work well for both cool and warm areas. They evenly regulate heat in the house, which is one reason why they are so popular.
The main materials for metal shingles include copper, aluminum, zinc, and stainless steel. You can customize all these metal roof materials to get a standing seam panel or tile and slate design as per your preferences. The installation is quite easy, and repairs are minimal.
Do you need to upgrade your roof shingles? Contact ABCO Roofing Company Inc. experts to get a free roof estimate for the shingles of your choice. We will be glad to walk you through the roofing journey until you get the best roof for your house.
The shingles you choose should offer maximum protection to your home. To help you pick the right shingles for your home, learn about the five main types of shingles.
1. Wood Shingles
Wood shingles come from cedar, pine, and other types of quality timber. They give a house a traditional yet stylish look.
Additionally, wood shingles are great in cold areas because of the warmth they provide. However, they can still fit well in extremely warm areas, but you should protect them against fire because they are vulnerable to fire.
You should only choose the best quality timber if you need your wooden shingles to remain intact for a prolonged period. Additionally, you should coat and treat them regularly to prevent cracks and keep off termites and other pests. If one of the wood shingles gets damaged, you should consider replacement and not repair to maintain a good look for your roof.
2. Solar Shingles
Solar shingles act as a roof and solar panel at the same time. They attract warmth during the day, which you can later use as your power source at night. Should you decide to use them, you should only install the solar shingles on the side of the roof that gets the most sunrays.
The cost of solar shingles is relatively higher than that of the other types due to the solar power generation feature. However, you can use the shingles for a long time, provided you regularly inspect them and remove any debris that could prevent direct sunrays.
3. Rubber Shingles
You can install rubber shingles if energy efficiency is a priority to you. Like timber, rubber keeps the house warm, which translates to lower energy costs.
Rubber shingles are easy to install. The maintenance is also simple because they are resistant to adverse weather conditions. Economically, the cost of rubber shingles is higher than other options, like asphalt, but the long-term costs are often worth it because you don't spend a lot on maintenance.
Rubber shingles come in black, brown, or red colors, but you can still customize your shingles to your preferred color and design.
4. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt is one of the most popular roofing materials in warm areas. The shingles deflect the sunrays to prevent excessive warmth in the house, hence their popularity in hot areas. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and repair too. On the downside, strong winds and storms can easily damage poorly installed shingles, hence the need for expert installations. Bit your asphalt shingles can remain intact for longer with proper maintenance.
Asphalt shingles come in three main types: the architectural shingle, 3-tab, and the hip and ridge.
4. Metal Shingles
Metal shingles work well for both cool and warm areas. They evenly regulate heat in the house, which is one reason why they are so popular.
The main materials for metal shingles include copper, aluminum, zinc, and stainless steel. You can customize all these metal roof materials to get a standing seam panel or tile and slate design as per your preferences. The installation is quite easy, and repairs are minimal.
Do you need to upgrade your roof shingles? Contact ABCO Roofing Company Inc. experts to get a free roof estimate for the shingles of your choice. We will be glad to walk you through the roofing journey until you get the best roof for your house.
Metal roofs are durable, energy-efficient, and relatively lightweight. Fortunately, caring for a metal roof is relatively simple. Learn more here.
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Home maintenance can be overwhelming. From landscaping and replacing dirty filters to repairing plumbing leaks, it's easy to see the challenges homeowners face. While most of these tasks are priorities, focusing on your home's roof is also important. Not only is the roof a key part of your home's structure, it also protects your family and belongings from the elements.
Unfortunately, you probably do not fully understand the importance of your roof and the maintenance that is required. By debunking these common roofing myths, you will learn the truth about your roof's durability, construction and maintenance.
Unfortunately, you probably do not fully understand the importance of your roof and the maintenance that is required. By debunking these common roofing myths, you will learn the truth about your roof's durability, construction and maintenance.
Cedar shake roofs are popular with homeowners because they offer clear benefits. Cedar shake roofs are known for their beauty, durability, and resistance to damage from everything whether it's from insects to the elements.
While cedar shake roofs are also relatively low maintenance, it is still a good idea to follow these maintenance tips to keep your roof looking and functioning its best.
1. Have Your Roof Inspected Annually
The best way to protect and maintain your roof is to have it inspected once a year. You can start by inspecting it yourself, both from the ground and by climbing up on a ladder. Look for shingles that are curled, missing, cracked, or otherwise damaged by any wind storms you have experienced.
If you notice any issues, then have your roof inspected by professionals. Professional roofers can spot repair any issues and prevent further damage, which protects the life span of your cedar shake roof. By inspecting your roof regularly, you will notice issues early, before they become more serious.
2. Have a New Gutter System Installed
High-quality gutters and downspouts are key to protecting your roof. When having a new cedar roof installed, it makes sense to have a new gutter system installed at the same time.
High-quality gutters and downspouts in good repair will redirect rainwater, dead leaves, and snowmelt away from your roof, siding, and foundation. This will prevent unnecessary water damage, mold, mildew, and rot. It will also help you save money because you will avoid costly repairs down the road.
3. Have Your Trees Trimmed Regularly
If your trees are left untrimmed and overgrown, then you have an increased risk of your roof being damaged by branches. Dead branches that aren't removed are likely to fall off and inflict damage on your new roof. During storms, an overgrown tree that's precariously close to your roof is a recipe for disaster.
In addition, if your trees aren't trimmed regularly, the branches that are closest to your roof offer easy access to pests including squirrels and raccoons. These pests may damage your roof and try to get into your attic, where they can truly wreak havoc. Keeping your trees trimmed prevents a lot of unnecessary issues and keeps your trees healthier as well.
4. Keep Your Cedar Roof Free of Debris
Once or twice a year especially after heavy storms it's wise to remove dead leaves, branches, and other debris from your cedar roof. If these materials are allowed to accumulate, then they will add too much moisture to your cedar shingles, which can potentially lead to mold, rot, or growth of fungus. Piles of dead leaves and branches also make it harder for rain and snow to melt off of your roof.
If you are not comfortable climbing up on your roof to clean it yourself, then it's a good idea to have the professionals tackle this maintenance task for you. This also allows you to combine your annual inspection with a roof cleaning for maximum impact.
If your roof needs a more thorough cleaning, then you should definitely leave this task to the experts. Attempting to clean your cedar roof yourself with a pressure washer can lead to damaged shingles. Professional roofers know the right settings to use to get a clean roof without causing any damage.
Following these preventative maintenance tips will ensure your new cedar shake roof remains beautiful and in good repair for many years to come. When it's time to have a new roof installed or your current roof repaired, contact us at ABCO Roofing Company Inc.
A failing roof is no joke. Not only is it unsightly and your roofline does comprise a large portion of your house's facade but it can lead to long-term damage. Water leakage can warp the underlying structures of the roof and top floor of your house. What's more, drafts in the roof mean your house's envelope isn't airtight, leading to higher heating and cooling costs.
Take a walk around the perimeter of your house, and view the roof from different angles. Also inspect the rooms directly below the roof. While some minor issues can be spot-repaired, the following signs signify you should replace your roof in its entirety.
Take a walk around the perimeter of your house, and view the roof from different angles. Also inspect the rooms directly below the roof. While some minor issues can be spot-repaired, the following signs signify you should replace your roof in its entirety.
ABCO Roofing Company Inc. serves Middle Tennessee residences and business for roofing, siding, and gutter installation, maintenance, and repair.
Commercial roofing requires different considerations to be taken than residential roofing. Usually commercial roofing will be applied to a building or structure that is taller and bigger than a residence, which will require special ladders, a bucket truck, or some manner of lift system for materials to reach the roof.
The material used for roofing of commercial structures is not the same as homes. Residences use mainly asphalt shingles, but can also use slate, tile, or cedar shakes. However, commercial roofing utilizes metal roofing, thermoplastic, EPDM, or modified bitumen. The most prevalent type is EPDM roofing, which is a single layer of rubber roofing material found to be highly resistant to weather, damage, and abrasion. EPDM affixes to the roof by fasteners or by gluing the layer to the room.
Often, we are called out to repair a section of roofing for a business and find many other areas that need attention. In those cases, we suggested employing a coated roof system, which coats the existing roof system, substantially extending the life of the roof. Call us for an estimate and assessment today!