How to Choose the Perfect Shingles for Your Roof
A new roof isn’t something you invest in every year, which is why you want to make sure that the one you choose—the shingle type, style, and colour—will be suited to your needs and preferences.
Choose the Right Type of Shingle
One of the first things you’ll have to decide is what type of shingles you want for your roof. Herb Lodde & Sons installs laminate roofing as well as cedar shakes and shingles.
If you prefer an asphalt-based shingle, it’s important to understand the differences between 3-tab and laminate shingles, two of the most popular kinds available for residential homeowners:
Regular asphalt shingles (otherwise known as “3-tab” shingles) are flat with one shingle tab shape and size. They are lighter than laminate shingles; however the prices are typically comparable and 3-tab shingles are less durable over the long run.
Architectural or laminate shingles are a type of asphalt shingle, but they’re built with a heavier base mat and a greater number of layers of more refined asphalt. The tabs have different sizes and shapes, which gives them a more dimensional appearance.
Factors to take into account include:
Appearance: How much dimension do you want your shingles to have? Architectural shingles are designed to provide a shadow effect that gives your roof an ultra-dimensional look.
Algae Defence: If you live in an algae-prone area, look for shingles that feature built-in guards against discolouration.
Fire Protection: To keep your home and everything in it safe, your shingles should have a Class A fire rating (the most effective against severe exposure)
After you know the type and style of shingle you want, it’s time to choose the colour. It sounds simple at the start, but don’t be surprised if this is the hardest part of the process:
Think about Your Home’s Aesthetics: While one type of shingle might work on a Tudor-style home, you might find that it clashes with other fashions (like Ranch or Colonial).
Don’t Forget Curb Appeal: If you might be selling your home in the next few years, going with a neutral colour for your shingles is a good way to keep your roof current. Don’t be afraid to add some flare with a more striking pallet, though, if that suits your home’s overall personality.
Survey Your Neighbourhood: Does one of your neighbours have a roof that catches your eye? Ask them what type of shingles they have and who installed them. Knowing what your neighbours have can also make it easier to figure out what unique routes you can take if you want your house to stand out.
How to Select the Best Roof Shingle
Selecting the best roof shingle can be a daunting task. There are many options involved, including shingle composition, style and colors, not to mention price. All of these factors must be weighed into making a shingle decision, and even then, there are variables within variables. Foremost to keep in mind is how long a particular type of shingle will last in your particular climate. Bottom-basement-priced shingles won’t last as long as top-grade shingles, and some types of architectural shingle patterns are more suited to a dryer climate than wet-weather patterns.
Determine the cost. Use a tape measure to measure the approximate square footage of your roof. Shingles are sold by the square, and each square will cover 100 square feet. Measure the length and width of your roof area to determine the square footage. Multiply the results together. For example, a 10- by 18-foot roof equates to 180 square feet of roofing area. Add in 10 percent to cover waste for a total of 198 square feet. You will need two squares for that project. Knowing this will allow you to calculate the cost for any type of shingle that you desire.
Decide on a warranty or how long they will last. In general, the more expensive the shingle, the longer it will last. This will vary with architectural shingles, however. Your cost will be more for these designer shingles, but they may not last as long. Warranties are only as good as the company they were made by. Stick with a known shingle manufacturer instead of some fly-by-night start-up that may guarantee you the moon but not be around long enough to honor it
Choose the type you want. Asphalt shingles are the standard of the industry and are priced accordingly. They have some of the longest warranties available and are always a good choice for durability and effectiveness.
Choose the color that you want. Shingles come in a variety of colors that will fit the decor of any home. Reds, greens, blues, whites and custom colors are available. The darker the color, the more heat will be retained on the roof. A lighter color roof makes for a cooler attic, so if you have usable attic space, a lighter color may be a better choice.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Roof Shingle Type
How to Choose the Best Shingles for Your Roof
Whether your current roof is in need of replacing or you’re weighing design options as you build your dream home, choosing shingles is a big decision. There’s no shortage of options when it comes to roofing materials and styles, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Factors That Impact the Type of Roof Shingle You Need
How much you’ll pay for various roof shingle materials and installation is only the tip of the iceberg. There are several key factors to consider deciding on the best roofing material for your home.
How Much Do Roof Shingles Cost?
Most homeowners pay between $4,700 and $10,460 for a new roof. When budgeting, keep in mind that the cost of installation and labor, as well as the cost of the material itself, will impact your bottom line. You’ll also need to account for the total square footage that your new shingles will cover. If you have a large roof area to cover, you might consider opting for cheaper materials.
What Is the Slope and Pitch of Your Roof?
Slope refers to how steep the angle of your roof is, and is normally measured with two numbers representing the rise, or height of your roof, and the run, representing it’s length. As an example, a slope of 4:12 indicates that a roof rises four feet and runs 12 feet. Depending on how steep the slope of your roof is, it may not be well suited for heavier roof shingle types, such as slate or clay tiles.
What Are the Weight Limits of Your Structure?
The weights of shingle materials vary widely. That’s why it’s important to know how much weight your home’s structure can safely support before making a decision. Buildings are designated a “dead load” tolerance, or the weight of the roof structure. If the dead load is exceeded, the structure will not be able to support its own weight. The average home has a dead load of around 15 pounds per square foot.
How to Choose High-Quality Asphalt Roof Shingles
A new asphalt shingle roof is a significant investment. To get the most bang for the buck, you’ll want to consider the quality of shingles, the knowledge and skill level of the roofers you intend to hire, and also a few preventative maintenance guidelines. When high-quality asphalt roof shingles are correctly installed and well maintained, they can last for decades.
Fiberglass Shingles – Fiberglass shingles are made from a woven fiberglass mat coated with top-and-bottom layers of asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Since these shingles have a higher fire rating (typically Class A, while organic shingles only garner B or C) and are more durable than their organic counterparts, they come with extended warranty. Additionally, today’s manufacturers make available Energy Star certified fiberglass shingles, which keep buildings cooler and reduce air-conditioning costs.
Organic Shingles – Traditionally consisting of cellulose fiber (e.g. recycled waste paper or wood) saturated with asphalt, organic shingles are coated with a mixture of asphalt and mineral fillers. Compared to fiberglass shingles, organic shingles are costlier, heavier, thicker, and less environmentally friendly due to the high asphalt content. Because these shingles absorb more water than fiberglass shingles, they deform more as they age.
Choose the Right Style
One thing good about asphalt roof shingles is that they are made so many colours and styles some even look like other types of roofing materials. Before opting for a particular style
Three-tab Shingles – Considered the standard-bearer of asphalt shingles, three-tab shingles are manufactured in a single layer. Since these shingles are thinner, flatter and less durable than the architectural shingles described below, they carry shorter warranty periods.
How to choose roofing shingles
Your budget
Your roof may be one of the largest investments you make in your home, and with so many types and styles, you can find shingles that fit a range of budgets.
Curb appeal
Roofs are a key and often-underestimated part of a home’s look. They can represent up to 40% of curb appeal, so it’s important to consider style and color.
Style
Our shingles fit with both current and historical home designs. Looking for a roof that works well with your home and complements what’s in your community? Start by looking at similar homes in your neighborhood and take note of their roofing shingles. Contractors can help you identify the products.
Ongoing Protection
Using high-quality shingles is the first part of protecting your roofing investment. We offers a variety of warranties so you can choose the right level of coverage for your project.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt are the most popular shingles in the U.S. because they’re affordable to buy, install, and maintain. They are made from a sturdy fiberglass base, coated with waterproof asphalt and tiny granules of ceramic-coated mineral.