Types of Roofing Shingles – Your Options (Part 1)

Roof Shingles - Jun 18,2012 - No Comment

Usually, you pay more for better quality shingles. The roofing industry is highly competitive and generally lower end types of roofing shingles are not very long lasting. The weather and maintenance also play a significant role in reducing the life of roofs. Roofs also have to meet stringent roofing standards and be resistant to wind, fire and impact. Each state has its own requirements on this front depending on local conditions and before you make your roof purchase it is better to check your local needs and standards in order to be fully compliant.

Let’s check out the choices available and types of roofing shingles to pick from:

Asphalt Shingles

By far the most popular type of roofing shingle, asphalt is most favored because it is the least expensive of all the roofing materials. It is easy to install and lasts about a decade, it would last longer if it is maintained really well. They are manufactured by sandwiching fiberglass in between layers of asphalt and ceramic granules. It is light weight and durable. These are also known as compositional shingles. These types of shingles are available in large selection of brands, colors, textures and much favored because of their versatility. They can be laid on top of an existing roof. It is susceptible to heat and can get ripped off by heavy winds. They do offer fire resistance and impact resistance. Ventilation vents are important on asphalt shingle roofs as they dissipate the heat absorbed by it.

Architectural Shingles

A more expensive version of asphalt shingles are the architectural shingles or laminated shingles or dimensional shingles. These are thicker and layered and look a lot like slate or wood shingles. The 3-TAB asphalt shingles is one more version that is widely used. They are thinner than laminated shingles and come in strips of 3.

Roofing Materials Prices – An Overview Of Costs

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Roofing materials prices keep changing based on the type used, how it has been designed and manufactured and last but not least the installation procedure. When going in for re-roofing or renovation best is to choose a similar type of roofing material as has been previously used. Some owners prefer to go for a complete makeover either because they want a change or because their previous roof has completely disappointed them due to its bad performance or the water leaking through it.

Most often the roofs are made of plywood decking and with shingles laid on top. These are the most basic type of roofing that is very popular and seen on most residential and commercial buildings. If you look at roofing materials prices then you will looking at the price of plywood replacement, flashing and shingles replacement prices. Most homes have an average roofing area of around 1500 square feet.

Here are the costs worked out for 10 feet by 10 feet home.

Roofing Materials Prices

The cost of roofing plywood for sheets of 5 by 8 inches thickness is around $20 per sheet. For 100 square feet around 4 sheets of plywood are needed whose total cost is around $80. The shingles prices vary but on average the cost is around $100 for the area mentioned. Other materials needed include nail gun, with galvanized nails which cost about $65 dollars for our project. Roofing cement costing $20 dollars per gallon will be needed.

Cost Of Labor:

Apart from roofing materials prices the second most important that you need to work out is the cost of labor. You will need the services of a carpenter for the framing and decking and they cost from $50 to $75 for every hour of work. Sometimes, they charge more if the work is complicated in nature or difficult to access. If it is a repair job, involving different locations of the roof, then calculate 2 days labor. This is just for repair for a complete installation the costs will be much more and time needed to do the job and tools and materials needed will also be a lot more.

New Shingles On Old Roof

Most often these days contractors are recommending laying of new shingles over the old without actually tearing out the old roof. This means we need to pay only for the roofing materials prices and labor cost for installation. There is no need to budget for removal of old shingles or its disposal. The cost for such installation works out to around a dollar to two dollars per square foot to install the asphalt roofing shingles or shakes.

If you skylights, chimneys, dormer windows and other complications on your roof and these have leaks or other roofing problems, then fixing them is more costly than simply installing new roofs. The reason this is more expensive than the roofing materials prices and labor cost for plain roofs is because the area around these features on the roof have to first cleared, then flashing installed and then only can roofing shingles be installed surrounding the structure or fixture. Roofing contractors spend a lot more time working on these features than laying shingles on other parts of the roof. Hence, they charge a lot more extra for such features on your roof.

Types Of Roofing Shingles – Roofing Choices For Homeowners

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There are different types of roofing shingles available one of which can be chosen based on the needs and budget of the homeowner. This range from the cheap and economical asphalt shingles to the more expensive architectural roofing shingles to the natural by costly roofing choices like wood and slate. Each has its own pros and cons, the decision to pick one also depends on the performance of the shingles in different climatic zones.

Homeowners would love to have an inexpensive roofing with absolutely no maintenance and that lasts as long as the home does. But, reality is that roofs need replacing every decade or so and need regular maintenance to last longer. If you pick an optimum roofing choice from different shingles available, then chances are that your roof will last more than 10 years. This is beneficial both for your finances and also for the environment, as you will be sending less roofing discards to the landfill and use less of the natural resources used for manufacturing the varied types of roofing shingles.

Not only that your pick of proper roofing shingle will actually save you a ton of money in terms of energy savings. For instance wood, slate and clay tiles are keep the homes warm in winter and cool in summers. They are great insulating materials. You also have such options among the plastics and fiberglass. You can always insulate your room later. The choice of color also, plays a significant role in reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the roofing material. Choose light colors or shades flecked with white helps in reflecting the light for warmer climes. For colder zones darker shades help keep the home warm and in shedding of snow.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles – Your Guide To Asphalt Shingles

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If you have wondered what asphalt roofing shingles are and their purpose. We would like to answer your queries here. Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing choices in America. More than 8 houses out of 10 will sport asphalt roofing. It is waterproof covering for your home. Asphalt serves as the mesh that keeps the granules in place which provide strength to shingles. The best type of asphalt roofing will remain flexible and tough even after years of exposure to sun and elements. The do not dry out or become hard and brittle during their expected life-span.

Because of their wide-spread popularity, their affordability and their ability to be mass produced on huge scales, asphalt roofing shingles have captured America’s roofing market in a big way. No other roofing comes even close to asphalt. The makers of these shingles have responded to the huge demand by making better and higher quality products. Here we will discussing the different types of roofing shingles on offer today.

Strip Shingles – These were the most commonly used shingles till a few years ago. These are single layered asphalt roofing shingles that very light weight and designed to look like slate shingles. The base of strip shingles is tough fiber glass and every shingle is tough and can’t be easily blown-off in strong winds nor torn by shear effect. These are considered the economy class in roofing shingles and are preferred by builders building budget homes. The strip shingles are also bought by homeowners as replacement for homes with strip shingles. Most major makers or asphalt shingles have major portfolio of strip shingles in different colors.

Dimensional Shingles – As the markets matured and people started looking for more options asphalt roofing shingles makers have come up with more deluxe versions of their basic shingles. Their most popular offering is the dimensional shingles which are asphalt shingles with multiple layers. This makes the shingle thicker and richer in looks department. Dimensional shingles are heavier than strip shingles and last longer. They are of better quality and can withstand the elements better. Because of their improved performance, manufacturers offer 30-years or more warranties on dimensional shingles. Every major roofing shingles makers offers dimensional shingles in a wide variety of choices in terms of texture, design and colors. Timberline from GAF is a much sought after brand.

Laminated Shingles – These are premium quality shingles that have a multi-dimensional and differentiated appearance. They differ in functionality from dimensional asphalt roofing shingles. They have been been designed to look like traditional tiles, natural slate and cedar wood shakes. They have textured appearance and old world charm of natural products without being as pricy or difficult to install like clay tile or slate shingles.

They are cut-above other asphalt roofing products in terms of looks. Functionally, they are superior in terms of impact resistance and reflection of solar rays. As result they have longer life and more energy efficient as they keep the homes cool in summer and warm in winters. Grand Manor, Presidential Shake and Centennial Slate are premium products from CertainTeed in this category.

Roof Shingles – Problems & Solutions

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Roof shingles are not entirely trouble-free. They need periodic maintenance and repairs in order to stretch out their lifetime. In case you ignore roof shingles problems, such as a leaky roof, then the water seeping through the cracks can damage the underlayment and require costly repairs later on.

Maintenance of roof shingles is an ongoing process. The commonest problems with roof shingles are damage, cracks and curling. All these conditions may require replacing a few shingles, or in extreme cases, the section of roofing completely. Depending upon how extensive the repair job will be, you may need help from a professional roofer.

Roof shingles repairs are costly and complex problems. The solution is to find trouble early and fix it promptly thereby avoiding the need for extensive repairs which can cost a pretty penny. Also, choosing good quality roofing materials will reduce the chance of damage and give your roof an extended lifetime. For more tips on how to maintain roof shingles see this report about roof shingles types and their maintenance – it’shere.

Roofing Shingles Home Depot – The Many Benefits Of Shopping At Your Favorite Store

Roof Shingles - May 10,2012 - No Comment

Roofing shingles Home Depot

Looking for roofing shingles Home Depot? This is a one-stop shop for all your roofing needs. If you are DIY roofer then shopping at Home Depot will be a pleasure as your every need will be met at this one store. You could also make the purchases sitting at home through their online store. Here you can shop based on your budget or any other criteria. The company offers complete roofing solutions from stocking roofing shingles, under layment materials, all other roofing materials, tools needed for laying roofs, advice to buy and lay roofs and offering complete installation services.

Shopping At Home Depot For Roofing Shingles

Shopping for roofing shingles Home Depot allows you to search for shingles based on cost, material, brand, color and model. The online store is a convenient way to do research and also shop as you can browse through hundreds of options for every category and choose products based on price, quality, color, texture and warranty period.

Deals And Best Prices

You are assured of the best prices and deals when making purchases for roofing shingles home depot. They have deals of the day and seasonal clearance sales when you get several products at very low prices. If you are not in hurry, you can keep track of prices and pick up great products at low prices.

Free delivery

If buying roofing shingles at home depot you save the trouble of lugging your purchases home. You don’t need to hire a pick-up van as the company will ship your purchases at no extra cost to you.

Help And Advice

Another advantage is that the roofing shingles Home Depot section has several experts on roofing who will help and guide you to make the right purchases for your home. Online there are several online user guides to help you as you navigate through the maze of products. If you are a newbie to roofing it would be wise to read through these guides to make an informed decision.

Tools Rental

When purchasing roofing shingles home depot, you can also browse through their tools rental services. If you are a DIY roofer then these tools would be great to make your job easier. Also, you don’t need to invest in expensive tools that you are not going to use again. The rental services are grouped by jobs to help you locate your requirements with a few click of your mouse button.

Roofing Installation

Roofing shingles home depot offers complete professional roofing installation options. There are professional roofers who will do repair, renovate or completely relay your roofs. When hiring professionals from Home Depot you can be assured that they meet all the industry standards, are qualified, licensed and insured to handle all kinds of roofing jobs. Home Depot has high quality standards when it comes to roofing installation and all their roofers follow these meticulously to offer you the highest job satisfaction at reasonable costs.

Help For Professionals

Whether you are homeowner or a professional roofer, buying roofing shingles Home Depot allows you to get all the best of help and advice from the in house experts. You get the best prices, volume discounts, a trusted associate and fast delivery of ordered items.

Home Depot offers an integrated solution to all your roofing needs. Whether it’s replacement or repair with their range of roofing shingles home depot, all the accessories needed, qualified roofers and professional installation you are assured of complete satisfaction for your roof replacement. You will find very attractive answers to your problems and are at all times guaranteed of quality, low prices and trustworthy service.

Best Roofing Shingles For Your Roof And Other Questions Answered

Roof Shingles - May 09,2012 - No Comment

Every homeowner wants to know what is the best roofing shingles to go for when re-roofing or relaying their roof. The most popular roofing option are all asphalt based shingles. These shingles performance depends to a large extent on the quality of materials used as fillers. The amount of materials used, the way the filler and asphalt gel all make a difference on how well the product performs. The reinforcements used in the shingles and the granules used on the surface also play an important role. Most commonly found roofing shingles are either fiberglass or organic. The fiberglass shingles are resistant to fire and moisture. Organic shingles are not recommended in for many states and councils because they are susceptible to fire and moisture.

If you happen to live in areas with strong winds, then organic roofing shingles may be the best roofing shingles for your needs as they strong wind resistance and high tear strength. They can also be installed in areas which are very cold. Whatever shingles you opt remember to check with your local council regulations to know that they are in compliance with the standards set by the council and also American Society for Testing and Materials(ASTM).

Whether it is fiberglass based asphalt shingles or organic felt or paper based asphalt shingles they should meet the specifications mentioned for the local climate conditions. For example fiberglass shingles should meet ASTM D 3462 specifications the organic shingles should meet ASTM D 225 standards. These are standard specifications for asphalt shingles made from fiberglass and standard specifications for asphalt shingles made from organic felt respectively.

Even though the warranty is an important consideration in the selection of the best roofing shingles it is not the only consideration. This is because even if there are warranties a particular product might not be the best solution for your requirements. And selecting a particular shingle based solely on warranty will not give you any assurance that the roofing system will deliver the best performance. If you are a person who believes that a warranty means some sort of binding agreement which needs to honored you will be better served if you go through the NCRA’s consumer advisory which has specific bulletin that addresses roofing warranties and pitfalls associated.

Underlayment is another area of conflict. Some contractors swear by the No.15 while others use only No.30. So, which is the works best when it comes to best roofing shingles. If you are using asphalt shingles then The National Roofing Contractors Association insists on a single layer of 15 asphalt-saturated underlayment for roofs that have pitches of 4 in 12 or greater. If you lesser slopes then NCRA recommends 2 layers of No.15 underlayment. If you are using higher quality and heavier roofing shingles which has a longer life projected then going for No.30 underlayment may be the best.

And no, two layers of No.15 underlayement is not the same one layer of no.30. The double layer of underlayment has to be laid with 19 inches of overlap. The double layer of underlayment is recommended by NCRA when the roof decks after low slopes of 3 in 12 or 4 in 12.

How To Determine Roofing Material Needs With a Roof Shingles Calculator

Roof Repair - Apr 30,2012 - No Comment

You can estimate how much roofing material you will need for your roofing project by using a roof shingles calculator. For your convenience a roof shingles calculator will round off the estimates and give you the number of bundles of composition shingles you will need to order.

While most roof calculators will make the best effort to ensure you get a fairly correct estimate, it is mandatory that every home owner checks and double-checks the numbers to make sure you are not exceeding or falling short. A roofing contractor will be able to easily verify the validity of an estimate made using a roof shingles calculator.

Roofing projects are best handled by pros. They are not only more accustomed to working on high and sloping roofs, but also they have leverage with suppliers when it comes to buying materials. They can save you money on buying roofing materials, and time by using the best tools to complete the project quickly.

When you deal with a professional roofer, the one area you would be best informed about is the amount of roof space that needs to be covered with shingles. A roof shingles calculator can help determine this easily.

A square footage roof shingles calculator will tell you how big your roof is. All you have to do is type in the dimensions of your roof and the calculator will spit out data you can hand over to your contractor. In roofing jargon, a square is 100 square feet and is used to refer to roofing area. Shingles made of asphalt, fiberglass or composite material usually comes in bundles that cover one third of a square. Roofing sheets come in rolls that are 3 feet wide and 36 feet long, and can cover 1 square.

Roofing felt or tar paper is used to layer a bare wood roof before laying shingles over it. Felt covers pad the surface over which shingles can be seated nicely. A roof shingles calculator will help you estimate the area of roof that needs to be covered with shingles. It will also tell you how many bundles of roof shingles to order.

For more about how to use a roof shingles calculator, check out this article.