Best Roof Shingle Types
When building a home or doing home improvement we all want the best. When it comes to the roof you want to make sure you’re choosing the best roof shingle types. Which is best for your room depends on where you live, your budget, and your preference for style. This post will help you understand what options there are so you can discuss which kind will be best for your roof repair project, or your new home build.
What are the different types of roof shingles?
The term “shingle” is defined as a rectangular tile of metal, composite, wood, or slate installed on roofs. The quality of your shingles defines how well they protect your home, the home’s value, and can affect how well your property is insulated.
Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingles are constructed by overlapping web fiberglass and binding it all together with a urea-formaldehyde adhesive. This fiberglass mat is then coated with a blend of asphalt and mineral fillers to make the shingles waterproof.
Fiberglass Shingle Advantages:
- Durable roofing
- Lightweight
- UV resistant
- Fire resistant
- Less costly roofing option
- Longer warranty
Asphalt Shingles
One of the most common shingle types is asphalt shingles. They’ve been installed on homes for many decades as they are one of the least expensive roofing options. While some asphalt shingles do feature fiberglass shingles made using just asphalt are susceptible to sudden temperature fluctuations.
Asphalt Shingle Advantages:
- Good fire resistance
- Wide range of colors
- Low maintenance
- Can be walked on
- Affordable roofing material
- Great for sloped roofs
Organic Shingles
Organic shingle or felt mat asphalt shingles were originally made from recycled cardboard, wood chips, paper, and rags. These shingles were not as popular as the organic materials left them prone to saturation and moisture. Places with high humidity or frequent freezing temperatures proved very harmful to this roofing shingle type.
Organic Shingle Considerations:
- Inexpensive roofing
- Waterproof shingle type
- Doesn’t last as long as fiberglass
- Heavier than fiberglass shingles
If you have this type of roof in the Phoenix Valley and the material has broken down or your roof is leaking, we can help you choose a new longer lasting roofing material to ensure the protection of your home.
Tile Shingles
If you want to install one of the longest lasting and most stylish roofing options, tile shingles are a great option. They evoke the visual styling of properties in the Mediterranean and Spanish architecture. These shingles are made from clay, sand, and concrete in a wide variety of colors. Lighter colors of tile roofing will also lend your home another level of insulation. Tile shingles require a structure that can support the extra weight and they are a more significant investment in your home.
Tile Shingle Advantages:
- One of the most durable options available
- Can last up to 80 years or more
- Visually striking style
- Spanish or southwest styling cues
- Low maintenance
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles or shake roofing fill in the pricing gap between cheaper asphalt shingles and tile roofing. This durable tile roofing option is environmentally friendly and lasts many years. One drawback for some homeowners is there is a risk to termites and obviously, wood isn’t as fire resistant and says tile roofing.
Wood Shingle Advantages:
- Can last between 30 and 50 years
- More environmentally friendly
- Is a durable roofing option
- Available in redwood and cedar
- Is an energy efficient roofing type
Metal Shingles
Metal roofing is great for both flat and steep roofs and comes in different configurations. It can be fabricated with solid metal or constructed materials. Metal roofing is durable and endures a high level of use and abuse from storms. When made from low galvanized metal it is a very affordable roofing option but can be bought in aluminum, copper, zinc, and tin. A metal roof when cared for properly can last up to about 50 years.
Metal Shingle Advantages:
- Long lasting roofing
- Inexpensive roofing
- Variety of types of metal
- Excellent storm survivability
- Fire resistant roofing
Slate Shingles
As one of the longest lasting roofing options slate shingles are an incredible option for any region of the country. Like tile shingles, a slate shingle roof must be strong enough to support the extra weight over asphalt or fiberglass shingles. While the roofing might last up to 100 years you will still have to take care of regular maintenance issues such as flashing repairs. Given the weight of the materials, these repairs are best performed by professional roofing contractors.
Slate Shingle Advantages:
- The longest lasting shingle type
- Variety of colors
- Extremely low maintenance
- Great for any climate
- Exceptional freeze performance
Best Roof Shingle Type For Phoenix Valley
If you’ve got a home in the Phoenix Valley and need to have shingle roofing replace or new roofing installed, Right Way Roofing Inc. is here to help. As a local family owned and operated roofing company we are in our third generation of roofing professionals and know the best types of roofing for Arizona. We also use the absolute best underlayment in all of our roofing repairs and roofing installations which add up to roofs that simply last longer than the competition.