Depending on your experience with getting a new roof put in, you may already know how much goes into picking what you want your roof to look and act like. If you’re needing aroof replacement, let us help give you some guidance on what to look for when choosing shingles for your roof. Shingles are a great form of roof covering and have many benefits for different reasons.
From the material to the size, choosing shingles is like deciding what color you want to paint your walls. Every shingle offers something slightly different for different needs with no two shingles being the exact same. Today we will take a look what some of the most important things you need to look for when choosing shingles so that you get the best ones for your needs.
Price
No matter how much roof you are looking to work on, the price of your shingles will always be at the back your mind. The price of shingles is primarily determined by a combination of all of the other factors and how many you will need to cover your roof. Most shingles are sold by the square foot, so either have your roof measured or find old roofing documents to get an accurate estimate of how many you will need.
Additionally, shingles are definitely a product where you get what you pay for. When you think about what they are doing, the shingles are the only thing stopping the outside elements from getting into your home. Always get the best shingles that you can afford for your own sake and the longevity of your roof
Durability
The durability of your shingles will play a large part in how long you can expect them to last and how they will act during rough weather. Shingles are made with various materials that are made for different climates and weather. If you live in a dry area, then your shingles will get more heat than weather and will be designed to dissipate heat away from your home.
If you are living somewhere with lots of rain and winter conditions, you will likely need a more durable type of shingle. Newer shingles are being made with special composites that are designed to shed water off your roof and can take more of a beating than traditional designs. This means that you may be paying a premium for the initial installation, but you won’t have to worry about leaks in your roof.
The durability of your shingles will also determine how often you will need t get them replaces. If you don’t want to have to get your shingles replaced every few years, then durability will be your best friend. If you’re looking for something with even greater durability, you may want to look at metal roofing options.
Weight
Just as different shingles and materials have different durability’s, there is also a weight difference that comes along with different materials. A general rule of thumb is that if a material is more durable, then it is more than likely to be heavier. Heavier materials are naturally more durable because they have more material and are more resistant to damage.
Different houses and roofs are designed with different weight capacities and can only handle certain amounts of shingle weight. Thankfully, many new composite style shingles are being made weight stronger material that is still lightweight. Check with your roofer what kind of weight your roof should be able to hold so that you don’t end up using shingles that overburden your roof with excessive weight.
Size
When concerning shingles, size can come into play in two ways. The first consideration of size is the physical size of the shingles themselves. Every shingles design will be slightly different and come in different shapes and sizes. Depending on what material you use, you could end up having to pay more for smaller shingles because it requires more of them to cover your roof. Smaller shingles do come with the benefit of being replaced easier, so weigh your options.
The other size consideration is the size of your roof. When looking at getting shingles installed, the size of your roof will determine how much you will have to pay to get covered. The larger your roof, the less you will have to spend on shingle quality because you will need to fill up a larger space with tiles.
Color
While this detail may not seem very important, the color of your shingles can actually have some unique effects. Depending on where you live, there is probably already a fairly standard roof design that most houses are built with. While you don’t need to copy the roofing styles exactly, having an orange shingle roof in a neighborhood with all black shingles would look off.
Your tiles can also act as an accent to your house. A color that matches your house and compliments its style will only help add to the resale value of the property in the future. Your roofer will probably know what shingles best suit the needs and style of your property.
Replaceability
Lastly, the replaceability of your shingles isn’t the most important component, but it is important to consider from a realistic standpoint. Whether it’s a windy day or a rouge baseball hitting your roof, the ease of replacing your shingles will either make for no big deal or a frustrating phone call. Shingles that are easier to replace mean that the job will be done sooner and cost you less money.
Having tiles that are replaceable can also come down to how easy they are to find. If you bought some exotic tile that is only made by one manufacturer, then getting a replacement will be rather expensive and time consuming.
Conclusion
Despite how simple it seems to pick out your next shingles, there is a lot more that goes into picking the right ones than initially meets the eyes. From the durability to the color, even the smallest details can add up to a great roof or one that fails at the first sign of rain. If you’re in the state of Georgia, give Colony Roofers, Atlanta roofers, a call for help with your roof replacement.