Types Of Roofing Shingles – Best Options Available For Homeowners

Roof Shingles - Oct 30,2012 - No Comment

A wide choice in different types of roofing shingles are on the market today. Choosing one should be based on our requirements and the financial outlay from our overall budget. The types of shingles include the very popular asphalt, a little upscale architectural roofing shingles and the more costly but naturally available wood and slate. There are several others too which are available at various price points. Each has its own advantages and problems associated with it. Pick a product that offers great performance for your area’s weather and local needs.

Ask any person who owns a home about the qualities they are looking for in their roof. Nine times out of ten people will pick inexpensive, free of maintenance and lasts forever as the most wanted characteristics in their roofing shingles. Don’t we all want that? Things don’t work that way. Every 10 years or so you roofing needs replacement. Your best efforts to maintain it and take care of it might extend the life by another 5 years. But, at the end of that you have to get the roof replaced. But, if you research available choices and pick a roof most suitable for your local area and region chances are that the roofing will last 20 years or or whatever the life guaranteed by the manufacturer. You also, help the environment as you don’t have to send discarded roofing material to landfills ever so often.

Proper choice from the various types of roofing shingles save you money on your energy bills. Some types of shingles like wood and slate are naturally insulating type, they allow the air to move freely through their surface material. This keeps the home cool in summers and warm in winters. There are some non-natural options too in this category. Color of the shingles also plays an important role in controlling the heat intake of the material. Darker shades absorb more heat, light shades reflect light. So, for colder regions darker shades are better and warmer regions should opt for lighter shades.

Better quality shingles cost more. That is the general rule of thumb. In a hyper-competitive market like roofing industry pricing is cut-throat. Every company has products at different price points so, they can attract and keep customers. Lower cost shingles are not long lasting. Bad maintenance and extreme variations in temperature can damage the shingles and reduce its life significantly. Remember that different states have different requirements when its comes roofing codes. Fire ratings, impact resistance, wind resistance are some of the standards most areas demand of their residents. This is for your own safety and the safety of your fellow citizens. Make sure you comply will all the standards in order to be compliant to your state’s laws.

We will discuss a little about the most commonly used roofing material the asphalt shingles. This is one of the several types of roofing shingles available. The reason for its popularity is not far to seek. It is cheap and it is low maintenance. It is made by sandwiching asphalt and ceramic granules with fiberglass. It is extremely light and long lasting if installed right and taken care of properly. These are otherwise known as compositional shingles. Several of the top roofing shingles manufacturers make asphalt shingles in a choice of colors and textures. It is easy to install and can be laid on top of earlier layer of shingles. The problem with this type of shingles is that its ripped off in storms and hurricanes, it is prone to damage if exposed to very high temperatures, also great temperatures differences during day and night plays havoc with the shingles materials. You can walk on the shingles with a little care and it won’t get damaged. It is rated for fire resistance and impact. When laying these shingles ventilation should be taken care to get rid of excess heat.

For a more detailed report on types of roofing shingles click here.

3 Types of Roofing Shingles

Roof Shingles - Oct 12,2012 - No Comment

Ridge Cap Shingles and Ridge Cap Tiles

The final touch. Ridge Shingles are to your roof like a picture frame is to a picture. What kind of frame did they put around the Mona Lisa in the Louvre? I’ll bet you it wasn’t purchased at Wal-Mart… And what a difference it makes to have a good quality ridge shingle installed. The bottom line is, visually appealing Roof Systems include visually appealing ridge shingles.

If you are not concerned with the visual appeal of your Roof System, then save a buck and use a standard cut shingle for your ridge caps. If however you’d like your house to look more like your castle…use a definitive edge ridge shingle such as an IKO Ultra Hip or a GAF/Elk z-ridge. The price difference between a regular ridge shingle and a more visually appealing ridge shingle on a standard home is around $400 – $800.

Important note: Higher quality ridge shingles typically require special installation procedures when installed. It may be wise to mention this to whoever you choose to install your roof. Ridge shingles are located at areas of your roof most vulnerable to wind damage and therefore subject blowing off if they are not installed properly. Ask your roofing contractor what sort of Special Installations are required for installing high quality ridge shingles.

For more information, be sure to check out this full report about roofing shingles.

By Eric Gilbert

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Gilbert

http://EzineArticles.com/?Roofing-Shingles-and-Tiles—3-Basic-Types&id=2261910

How To Use a Roof Replacement Calculator To Save Money?

Roof Shingles - Sep 27,2012 - No Comment

For any home owner thinking about replacing a roof on residential buildings it will be of great help and value to use a roof replacement calculator to estimate costs. This can let you compute an average expense so that you can plan out your budget for home renovation and improvement.

Many factors influence the cost of roof replacement including the slope, pitch, area to be covered and other complexities in the installation process created by dormers, vanes, chimneys and hips. If your roof has many such complexities, expect the cost to be much higher.

A roof replacement calculator can factor in these variables and using estimates derived from national averages for material and labor costs, it can give you a projected figure which will be reasonably accurate and help you make more informed and intelligent choices for roofing your home.

Don’t miss checking out this free report, “Roof Replacement Calculator – Finding The Cost Of Replacing Roofs“

Compare Roofing Shingles Before Choosing The Best

Roof Shingles - Sep 25,2012 - No Comment

The biggest challenge that begins after you’ve decided that a shingle roof is best for your home is to compare roofing shingles. Sometimes it may appear as if a wider range of choice is actually a curse, because it would be so much simpler to have to pick from just a couple of options. That way one would be saved the hassle and anxiety of making the right choice and compare roofing shingles of diverse types. But fear not – this report will guide you through each stage of the selection process and help you eliminate less effective choices until you’re able to confidently pick the ideal roof shingles for your home.

Roofing shingles come in different forms and styles, from a range of manufacturers. When you compare roofing shingles, it’s common to start at the simplest denominator – price point. There are wide differences in price ranges for roof shingles starting from the cheaper 3-tab asphalt shingle roof and going up to expensive slate roofing. There are also geographic and local factors to consider while choosing a roofing shingle as the climatic conditions, architectural design of your building and the environmental friendliness of your preferred option will all influence your final choice.

With your choice for variables to compare roofing shingles so wide, where do you get started? We’ll begin by listing the different kinds of roof shingles that are available on the market, and order them by price. This information is an introduction to the broader ranging topic of how to compare roofing shingles, and if you’d like to learn more about it, you can visit our comprehensive report linked below.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles are the most commonly used type, coming in a whole range of colors and variants at different prices. Asphalt shingles are tough and long lasting, and can resist extremes of weather and temperature. They are waterproof and can be easily installed by home owners themselves or by any roofing contractor. 3 tab asphalt are the basic type of shingles, coming in different color choices but with no texturing.

Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are laminated tiles which provide a perception of depth and elegance to any roof. This adds to the aesthetic appeal. When you compare roofing shingles of architectural style with others like slate or shake roofing, the advantages show up starkly. As the cost of architectural shingles is almost the same as 3-tab asphalt, but provides a much richer appearance, many home owners prefer this to the basic form.

Roof Shingles – How To Handle Valleys

Roof Shingles - Sep 24,2012 - No Comment

If you missed the first 2 tips, check out this article on how to install roof shingles – here.

How to Install Roof Shingles – Valley Tip #3

When cutting the top layer of shingles in a “half-weave” valley, many roofers cut into the bottom layer. Over the years, those cuts can open up, causing leaks. Make the cut carefully with some old tin snips, or use a hook blade and a scrap shingle to protect the bottom layer.

Of course there’s a lot more involved in learning how to install roof shingles.

By John C. Bishop

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop

http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Install-Roof-Shingles—Three-Valley-Tips&id=1489181

Understanding Architectural Roof Shingles

Roof Shingles - Sep 18,2012 - No Comment

Architectural roof shingles are a unique kind of roofing shingles that developed as an improved, enhanced and more durable extension of conventional roof material. They are modifications done to the regular asphalt dimensional roof shingle to create a new product line that has higher tolerance to stress, offers better protection against the elements, and a set of other advantages to home owners. A nice addition to the list of benefits is the striking and remarkable appearance of these architectural roof shingles.

Architectural roof shingles are also called laminated shingles or dimensional shingles. They are high quality, premium roofing solutions that are widely used in some of the best construction projects, both residential and commercial. The typical architectural roof shingle is made of a fiberglass base into which granules are embedded. The granules, made of a variety of minerals, are tightly enmeshed within the asphalt material which makes the shingle resistant and stronger.

Innovations in architectural roof shingles are ongoing. Synthetic slate shingles are among the newer versions to come out, creating an appearance that is virtually indistinguishable from an expensive slate roof. The shingles have similar texture and design very similar to natural slate. The structure of these architectural shingles is a composite polymer, specially designed to be durable and attractive.

Why Choose Architectural Roof Shingles?

Architectural roof shingles are a visual delight. Roofs with these shingles create a three dimensional look to a building that is striking and eye-catching. Architectural shingles can be designed to mimic many different kinds of natural roofing, such a cedar shake shingles or slate.

To enhance the illusion of being ‘natural’, these shingles are randomly ridged and thicker than regular synthetic shingles. The advantages of architectural shingles over their natural counterparts are often multiple, such as reduced weight (which decreases the load and stress on the roof frame) and better resistance to fire and water. These roofs do not require special modifications of the underlayment to withstand the load as natural slate may do.

Because architectural roof shingles come in an array of different colors and textures, you can choose the ones best suited to match the rest of your building and that will accentuate the slopes and planes, while complementing other elements of your roof like gables, chimneys, turrets and more. Accessories that are offered by most manufacturers of architectural roofing materials include ridge caps, hip pieces, and linings for eaves that are all designed to match or contrast with the shingle roof while highlighting the strong style and decor elements.

The trend with architectural roof shingles is not merely to mimic natural material like slate and wood, but to present unconventionally striking tones like terra cotta or dark green colors. These roofing shingles are finding a place in the designer homes that are cropping up in upscale suburbs, creating a new architecture style and ambiance in hitherto staid and conventional settings.

Types of Roofing Shingles – Your Options (Part 2)

Roof Shingles - Sep 04,2012 - No Comment

Wood Shakes

With a higher budget you can choose wood shakes. These offer a natural look and add character to your room. No two wood shakes are the same. Each has its own color, thickness, width and grain. They are great as insulating materials. Wood does not absorb heat easily. The nature of wood allows the house to breathe and keep the air in circulation. The heat is not trapped in the attics as with other types of roofing. This is high maintenance roofing in places where there is rain and moisture all for long periods of time. Wood is vulnerable to mold, rot and insects find it a happy hunting ground. It is also not resistant to fire. Usually fire-retardants are sprayed on wood shakes to make them resistance to fire but this needs to be repeated often over the life of the wood shake. Some types of wood shingles are pressure-treated with fire retardants and these last longer. Installation is also complicated and needs skilled roofing contractors to do the job.

Clay Tile

The classic clay tiles are favored choice among many communities in southwestern part of the country. Also, homes with Spanish or Italian designs also go well with clay tiles. These are some of the best types of shingles as they are suitable for both cold and hot climates. They do great in medium weather conditions. The clay breathes and keeps the home cool in summers and warm in winters. The tiles don’t have the problems of wood shake like rotting, burning or insects boring holes in them. They need least amount of maintenance and available in range of colors, styles and brands too. They last a long time but as they are heavy they might need extra support on the roofing frame. Tiles that are baked in kilns have permanent colors. They are brittle and break if people walk on them, so cleaning is little difficult and so,is initial installation. The clay tiles are quite expensive.

Roof Shingles – Fixing Roof Problems

Roof Shingles - Aug 27,2012 - No Comment

Roof shingles need timely and regular maintenance for a long trouble free life. It is one of the most important features of a home that literally protects you from external factors. It keeps you and your belongings safe, warm and dry. If you find any leaks, signs of water damage, wear or rotting take immediate action. Call a trusted roofer to help fix the problems.

If the water seeps under the roof shingles it will start damaging the wooden planks underneath which will rot and cause bigger problems. If you tend to neglect these small problems you will end up with major expenses later on. You will end up spending thousands of dollars later on to replace the whole roof and the sheathing underneath which arises due to the small problem you ignored earlier.

Home maintenance is an ongoing process. Roof repair and maintenance tops the list of the most important tasks in your to-do list. Every homeowner who has neglected to nix roof leaking problems in the bud has ended up spending a lot more in money and also time and effort in re-roofing later. Roof shingles for the whole roof area can cost you a pretty penny. As they say for want of a nail a kingdom was lost.

If the last time you laid roof shingles was 20 years ago, then it is time to replace it. Research your options well and based on how long you plan to live in the home, your budget and your local area needs. Only homes with steep pitches or very old roof need professional maintenance and repairs. Shallow pitched homes, flat roofs and relatively new roofs can easily be maintained by homeowners themselves.

Basically the three most common problems most homeowners face with their roof shingles are – replacing a damaged shingles, fixing a curled shingles, repairing cracked shingles. Safety is the most important consideration when it comes to roof shingles repair. So, if you have any doubts about your ability to work on heights then call for help. Steep or even shallow slopes can be slippery in any weather and should not be attempted on wet days. It should not be attempted in the mornings when roof is likely to moist with dew or in the evenings when the light is failing.

Take up your roof shingle or roof repair project on a warm, sunny and dry afternoon. When the weather is right the shingles are also supple and flexible. They won’t easily crack or break when handled by you.

Replacing Damaged Roof Shingles:

Make a visual inspection of your roof. If there are parts of shingles missing then they need replacement. All you need to do is take out the old shingle and replace it with a brand new full shingle. If you have a box of left-over shingles from your last roof job, you are in luck. Else, buy shingles that are same as your old shingles or nearest match to old roof shingles. Stores sell shingles in roof squares which are about 100 square feet and will cost about $15-$20 dollars.

To replace the damaged roof shingles you will need a prying tool, knife, hammer and roofing nails. As the old shingle is secured using 4 nails plus the nails from the shingles from the row above and below also go through this shingle, you have to use your prying tool to gently lift the shingle to reveal the nails underneath. Remove the nails one by one. Use small amount of force the eight nails out. Too much force can damage a lot more roof shingles than what you bargained for.

To remove the nails slip your tool under the damage roof shingles and gently jerk it upwards. As the nail comes out a little, press the shingle down and pull out the nail. Just keep doing the same thing till you have removed all the nails on that particular roof shingle. Now, pry the shingle directly above the damaged shingle upwards and remove the nails that are keeping the damaged shingle in place. Repeat the process for all the eight nails. Once the eight nails are out yank out the damaged shingle.

Brittle shingles make the job harder as you will be cracking roof shingles when removing the nails. So, instead of removing the nails cut V-notches around the nails on the damaged shingle and remove it. Now place your new shingle in the place of old and secure it with 4 new nail leaving the old ones in place.

Cracked Roof Shingles Repair

Cracked and torn shingles are easily fixed. No need to replace them. A little sealant is all you need. Apply a thick layer of roofing sealant under the cracked shingle. Press the torn shingle on to the sealant. Apply a second layer of sealant on top of the shingle. Spread the sealant around using a putty knife to get even coverage. Now, don’t be worried that your fix can be seen from afar. If you look in the gutters of your roof you will granules from your roof shingles that have washed out. Collect them and apply them to the glued shingle area. This effectively covers up the work you have done. It’s a simple and easy task to mask the repair and as easy to fix the problem in the first place.

Fixing Curled Roofing Shingles

Due to age and the effects of rain and sun some of the older asphalt shingles will curl with age. They will start curling at the corners either upwards or downwards. If you notice this problem then fix it immediately to prevent the whole shingle from curling and damaging the surrounding roof shingles. Straighten out the shingle and stick it to the roof using a strong glue.

A caulking gun is used to apply a bit of roofing sealant under the curled corner. Put a heavy object like brick on top of the shingle once it is glued down. Leave it in place for about a day to two before removing the brick. This helps the sealant to dry and seal the shingle in place.

These minor repairs when undertaken during your regular roof maintenance every month or two will keep your roof shingles going for a long time with out needing replacement before it’s guaranteed life-span ends.

Tag Archives: roofing shingles

Why Choose Architectural Roof Shingles?

Replacing Damaged Roof Shingles:

Cracked Roof Shingles Repair

Fixing Curled Roofing Shingles