The Best Roofing Shingles for Your Home

Your roofs are what protect you and your family from nature’s elements—rain, snow, hail, wind, heat, and cold. This is why it is essential that when choosing which roofing materials you want to be installed in your home, you select only the best roofing shingles in the market. You would want a roofing shingle that you can trust so that you have peace of mind knowing you’re sleeping under a roof that is durable and reliable.

Selecting which roofing shingles are the best depends on a variety of factors. Aside from the quality, you also have to consider your budget, how long they will last, and the possible issues that may confront you. To help you, below are the 6 popular types of roof shingles, their advantages and disadvantages, and their costs and lifespan:

the best roofing shingles

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are distinctive and offer a traditional, timeless look. They are thin, tapering pieces of wood that gives a smooth and uniform appearance to homes.

 

  • Advantages: They are incredibly strong and long-lasting. Compared to other shingle types, they are also more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. 

 

  • Disadvantages: They may be challenging to install and maintain. They may also be a fire hazard, which could result in an increase in a homeowner’s insurance premium. In humid environments, they can also get moldy, split, or rot. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: Prices range from $100 to $150 per square, and they last for 25 to 30 years.

Asphalt Shingles

This is the most common type of roof shingles you find on homes in the US today. It is made from a base mat, a layer of waterproof asphalt, and a coating of ceramic granules on top.

 

  • Advantages: Inexpensive, readily available, and comes in a variety of colors. 

 

  • Disadvantages: Doesn’t offer as much insulation as other roofing materials do, and the quality varies. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: Costs between $70 and $120 per square and as long as they are adequately maintained, they have a 20 to 25-year lifespan.

Slate Shingles

This is one of the earliest roofing materials utilized around the world since time immemorial. They are dug from the earth. Slates are developed from fine clay which is squeezed into shale, and then eventually become slate as a result of the weight of the ground. 

 

  • Advantages: They are incredibly strong and have a lengthy lifespan. Additionally, they are offered in a variety of colors, such as black, gray, red, and green. 

 

  • Disadvantages: Due to their weight, they are one of the hardest roofing materials to install and are often more expensive than other roofing materials. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: The price range from $7.50 to $16.00 per square foot, which makes the whole price range from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the size of the roof. Its lifespan is around 60 to 150 years.

Metal Shingles

Metal shingles are one of the roofing materials used for metal roofs. It’s popular with homeowners because it comes in a variety of designs and colors. The most common metals used to produce this type of shingles are copper, zinc, G-90 galvanized steel, and aluminum.

 

  • Advantages: Durable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and lasts longer than other roofing shingles. 

 

  • Disadvantages: Requires high upfront costs. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: Prices typically range from $100 to $300 per square, but some types can go for as much as $600 or $800. Their lifespan is around 40 to 100 years.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles, commonly referred to as dimensional shingles, are made of asphalt. They are made to mimic the appearance of a brand-new slate roof without the weight problems that typically come with this organic roofing material. 

 

  • Advantages: They are sturdy and are available in a variety of styles.

 

  • Disadvantages: They are expensive and may not be effective with shallow roofs because the wind cannot easily pass through them. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: The average cost of architectural shingles per square foot is between $1.50 and $5.50. With proper maintenance, they can survive up to 30 to 50 years.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are made of slim photovoltaic (PV) sheets that either overlay or replace the existing shingles on a roof. They are solar panels made to seem and perform like common roofing materials, including asphalt shingles or slate, while simultaneously generating power from the sun.

 

  • Advantages: Energy-efficient and sustainable since they can generate electricity from the sun.

 

  • Disadvantages: Quite costly to install and often only function properly in warm, southern climes. 

 

  • Cost and Lifespan: The installation of solar shingles ranges from $60,000 to $75,000, or about $24.25 per square foot. It has a useful life of about 20 to 25 years.

Your Home Deserves Only The Best Roofing Shingles

Complete Roofing System has a team of experts that uses only the highest quality of tools to ensure that we can provide the best roofing services and products that leave our customers more than just satisfied, but also well-protected. Let our skilled hands help ensure that your home has only the best roofing shingles installed. We’ll discuss all your options to keep you informed. Call us today and get a free estimate!

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