It can be hard to know which roofing types will work best for your home. There are many factors that come into play, so it’s important to do your research and determine what is best for you. This blog post will help you learn the basics of roofs and the different roofing styles available.
The Different Roofing Materials
Dry-In System vs. Cold-Mortgaged System
On a roof, you have two types of materials: shingles and felt. The shingles are installed over the felt, which is waterproof; this creates an air pocket that helps keep water out of your home’s walls. On top of the felt is another protective layer called ice/water shield, which covers any areas where there aren’t shingles. Used under cold-mortgage systems, ice/water shields create an insulated layer to help prevent heat loss through the roof in winter months. This warranty system will not work for single-ply roofs or EPDM roofs. Cold-mortgage roofs are known to be more durable, with better energy efficiency than dry-in systems.
Roof Pitch vs. Asphalt Shingles
The pitch of your roof refers to the steepness; it is the angle of the roof from one corner to another. You need a 30˚ slope for rain water drainage and optimal insulation, although most homes have less than that. If you don’t mind making modifications or repairs, this isn’t much of a problem – some people even install solar panels on their home because they want even less pitch! Another option is asphalt shingles, which have no incline but can last anywhere from 20-30 years depending on how well they are maintained.
Roll Roofing vs. Cut Roofing
There are two main types of roofs: cut and roll roofing. Cut roofing is a little cheaper, but it requires time-consuming maintenance to keep the edges from curling up. It also produces metal that can be sold back to the mill for recycling – this is an incentive for some companies because they make more money from this than selling the shingles themselves! On the other hand, if you have high winds in your area, roll roofing is not recommended due to its tendency to blow off during storms – especially when there’s water attached. If you are confused, you can always get in a touch with a certified roofing contractor overland park ks.
The Different Roof Shingle Types
Let’s take a look at all of the different roofing shingle materials available on the market.
Architectural Shingles vs. Composition Shingles
Architectural shingles are made from 100% asphalt, and they’re more durable than composition shingles – although some people consider this material to be too heavy for their taste! This type of roofing comes in three different styles: organic, dimensional or 3-tab, but only two of them are appropriate for cold-mortgage systems because it makes use of ice/water shields to help with heat loss prevention in winter months. Asphalt is a high-maintenance material that will require repair within 10 years if you don’t care for your roof properly.
Composition shingles are made from the same materials that go into asphalt shingles, including the adhesive and fiberglass reinforcement inside; however, they’re composed of different percentages to make them lighter weight than asphalt or rubber roofs. This means they may not be as durable in high winds or during rainstorms due to their thin construction. Another downfall is you have limited color options with composition products because of this light-weight design – most companies offer only two colors: sandstone and titanium. Some people also complain about sounds associated with wind passing through these types of shingles; some say they sound like a freight train!
Rubber Shingle vs. Asphalt Shingle
Rubber roofs are composed of all rubber and are used in commercial areas like warehouses and factories; they’re too heavy to use on residential homes, which is why you won’t find many companies that sell them. These products should only be installed by professionals because the roofing adhesive needs to cure completely before it can support any weight. There are some drawbacks associated with rubber roofs – they have a more limited color palette, and their lifespan is very low (about five years). If you do take the plunge into using rubber shingles, you will need to budget for maintenance at least once every ten years.
Shingle Repair or Replacement?
While it might seem like a quick fix, shingle repair attempts are one of the main reasons that homes have to be torn down and rebuilt. If you try to fix your own roof or hire a company without experience, there’s no way for them to know if any damage has been done inside the attic as well – which can cause bigger problems in the future!
How to Fix Shingle Ridges
Many people find that their roof is leaking at the end of the roof where it meets fascia boards; this is called a white cap ridge leak and usually occurs when ice builds up in between layers of shingles. The good news here is that these leaks are extremely easy to patch since all you need are some new screws or nails, caulking and ridge vent flashings.
Shingle Problem: Blown-off Roof Tips
If you’ve ever had a roofing contractor tell you that the only way to fix your leaky roof is by replacing all of the shingles, it was most likely because they noticed several missing or broken tabs on your shingles. This isn’t something that can be fixed with a new layer of asphalt – these tips are what allow water to travel from the top of the roof all the way down to the guttering system below it. The good news is that this type of problem can be easily repaired for much cheaper than a new roof if you do some research ahead of time to find quality