Types of Shingles

Asphalt shingles made of fibreglass or organic material are the most common and least expensive roofing shingle. The cheapest are the organic shingles, which last around twenty years and retail for around sixty to one hundred dollars per square metre. For a stronger, more flexible option, there are fibreglass shingles which can last up to thirty years. For the highest quality shingle, consider dimensional shingles, which are the thickest shingle and can be customised to fit in with specific architectural designs.

Asphalt shingles are easily installed by any roofing company because they are so common. The most important thing to remember when installing asphalt shingles is that good ventilation is vital to ensure good air flow in the attic spaces. Generally there should be one vent per ninety square metres. Half the vents should be near the ridge and the other half should be by the eaves. This can prevent moss build up, which is one of the major problems with asphalt roofs, along with wind damage.

For variety in colour and design, metal shingles are options which have become available relatively recently. They slightly more expensive than asphalt shingles, but do last longer: up to fifty years. Metal shingles are lightweight, and are easy to work with and install for roofing companies. For those who cannot afford slate or tile shingles, metal shingles can be designed to imitate tile and slate, making them an excellent alternative.

While tile roof shingles are cost more than metal ones, they do not last any longer, and are difficult to install. This is because tile shingles are very heavy, and require a roofer with specialized training to install properly. Slate shingles can cost up to ten times more than asphalt, from six hundred to a thousand dollars per square metre, making it them the most expensive shingle material. Again, slate needs a particular expertise to install properly, especially as slate is quite brittle and can easily break during installation.

Price Comparisons

Asphalt shingles are very reasonably priced, usually $60 to $100 per square metre. For pitched roofs, this is the cheapest material available, although for flat roofs there are cheaper options such as tar or roll roofing. When installing asphalt shingles, the main thing you need to consider is the ventilation. This is important so that there is sufficient air circulation in the attic space beneath the roof. Generally there should be one vent per 90 square metres. Half the vents should be near the ridge and the other half should be by the eaves. This will prevent moss build up, and if done properly will ensure the roof lasts for a very long time.

The mid-range roofing materials in terms of price are metal and rubber. Metal is the more popular, and lasts for about fifty years. It also offers a lot of choice in terms of colour and design, such as imitation tile and slate. Both rubber and metal are somewhat able to deflect the sun, which helps reduce energy costs in warmer climates.

Cedar shakes, tile and slate shingles are the most expensive materials in relation to asphalt. While cedar shakes are environmentally friendly, they often need to have fire retardant added in order to meet fire safety standards. Tile slates, while lasting for many years, are very heavy and are easily broken during the installation process. Slate is by far the most durable material, lasting over one hundred years, and requires very little maintenance once installed. However, slate installation can be tricky, and it is important to get an expert team for the installation to make sure it is done properly.

Considerations

If you’re thinking about installing solar roof shingles on a building, whether your home or office, there are a few things you need to consider. Firstly, think about whether the roof gets a lot of sun during the day. The best facing roof to install solar shingles on is the south side because it will get the most sun. You can still put solar roof shingles on eastern, western or northern facing roofs, but these will not be as effective at harnessing solar energy because they won’t receive as much sun.

Ideally, you should install solar roof shingles when the building is being built so they can blend in with the design of the rest of the building. Nowadays, though, you can get blue, purple or even black solar shingles that are made to merge into already existing, traditional shingles.

If you have solar shingles installed on your roof, you have the option of staying “on grid” or going “off grid” with your power company. The solar shingles will generate power which can then be used in your home or business. Once your solar power runs out, you move back to traditional power from the power company. If the solar roofing generates more power than your home or business uses, you can sell the excess power back to the power company to be used by other people.

If your house or office gets a very large amount of sunlight and generates a large amount of power through solar roofing, it may be possible for you to go “off grid.” This means that the building is not connected at all to a traditional power source provided by a power company. However, this can be risky due to the unpredictability of the weather, so it’s a good idea to have a backup power source such as wind or water, just in case.

Solar roofing shingles are among the more expensive roofing materials, costing around the same as tile or slate shingles. This is more than asphalt or metal shingles, but solar shingles will most likely recoup any costs in around ten years, depending on weather and positioning, due to savings on power bills.

Differences in Materials

Composite roofing material (made of organic or fibreglass asphalt) is the cheapest form of pitched roof shingle. Composite shingles are the most common type of material, and can last for up to forty years. As the price increases, so does the life span as the material gets thicker and stronger, and also gives more options in terms of design. Potential problems which can arise with these types of shingles include moss build up, which requires regular maintenance, and the need for constant, adequate ventilation and air circulation under the roof.

The next level in terms of pricing for roofing shingles includes materials like metal and rubber. Metal shingles are the most common, and are more adaptable than rubber. They do cost a little more than composite shingles, but are still quite reasonable. Metal shingles also save money in terms of framing materials, as the level of support they need is greatly reduced due to their light weight. Many metal shingles come with insulation already inbuilt, so there is no additional cost for roof insulation. The cost of metal shingles also takes into account their long life span, up to fifty years.

Slate shingles are the longest lasting material, but are also the most expensive. They have been in use for a very long time, but are not widely used because of their cost and the difficulties in installation. Slate shingles can last over one hundred years, and so replacement and maintenance costs are nearly nonexistent, which can save money in the long term.

Benefits

Besides the reasonable price, metal shingles offer a wide range of benefits. They are much lighter than slate or tile, which reduces the level of structural support they need in a building. The light weight of metal shingles means they are easy to handle for roofing companies as there is no need for heavy machinery like cranes in order to get them up onto the roof. Metal shingles are designed to fit together perfectly, making them very easy to install.

Metal shingles are also able to be insulated, which eliminates the expense of installing separate roofing insulation. Two metal sheets are infused with liquid insulation foam which fills the space between the sheets. It is then hung to dry until it forms a solid, insulated piece, giving the roof uniform insulation.

Seam metal roofs are the most well known type of metal roof, In these roofs, the metal sheets are joined together side by side by concealed fastenings so that they appear to be one solid sheet, rather than shingles. However, the huge variety of metal shingles on the market today gives the consumer the ability to match the shingles to the specific design of their home or office. They can be made to look like tile or slate, like traditional shingles, and can come in many different colours.

Metal roofs usually come with a warranty of up to fifty years because they are so long lasting. Metal roofs are galvanized with zinc oxide, giving them a high resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and are also resistant to weather conditions like strong winds. Moss and mould damage is not an issue with metal roofs because metal does not absorb water like other roofing materials do.

Today

The creation of architectural roof shingles in recent years has vastly increased the choices available for roofing projects. These shingles imitate the appearance and texture of other types of shingles. They are still the same composite asphalt shingles, and are the cheapest option for pitched roofing available today. Architectural roof shingles can be sourced through many manufacturers.

Architectural roof shingles have patterns that make them look like other shingle materials. They also make for easier installation because the patterns mean the composite shingles don’t need to be lined up precisely. Architectural shingles can look like cedar, tile, or slate. They can be made of organic materials or fibreglass, giving a life span of twenty to thirty years.

You can also get architectural shingles that are made of metal. These come in many different designs, shapes and colours. Metal is not as cheap as composite material, but it does last about twenty years longer. It is also easier to install because it is light, and needs very little maintenance. Metal roofing has developed enough so that cedar shakes can be copied, along with slate and tile imitations.

Metal shingles are also preferable because it is highly weather resistant, can stand up to strong winds, and doesn’t absorb water. Metal roofing material can also be filled with a liquid insulation material, providing inbuilt, uniform insulation across your entire roof.

Pros and Cons

Metal shingles are one of the easiest materials to install, although they are not as common a material as in previous years. Metal roofing is cheap, and because it is light, it puts less strain on the frame of the building. Metal shingles are made to fit perfectly together, making them easier to install than other materials which may have odd shapes. The lightness of the material also makes it easier to work with, and there is no need for heavy equipment like cranes in order to life them on to the roof.

Composition shingles, which are made of asphalt and laid in rows, are the most common type of shingle used on houses today. Organic shingles are also available, although they are quite thin and are not as resilient as fibreglass shingles. Shingles are also available which can be used to complement the design of a home. These architectural shingles, such as dimensional shingles, are the thickest composition shingles and can be customized. In order to achieve a unique custom appearance, professional installation is required. You will also need to install vents if you are using composition shingles, in order to allow sufficient air flow through the attic area. Again, this will require specialized knowledge.

The complex installations are of tile and slate roofing materials. They are not as common as other roofing types, so work crews will have less experience in working with them. It is recommended that you contact a roofing company via a professional roofing organisation, which will ensure you find someone who has experience and training with the type of material you are using.