Roofing Shingles: How To Decide

When it comes to roofing and repairs, the main decision on any homeowner's mind has to be what kind of shingles to put up

. This question can usually be decided by another factor, which is how long they plan to stay in the house. It's a lot like car painting in that respect. When you are painting a car simply to turn around a sell it, you can usually get away with using cheaper materials. When you're painting to keep, you want to invest in the best paint money can buy. The same holds true for shingles. If you are planning to stay in the house for a long time, you want to put up shingles that will last for the duration. If you're planning to sell in the near future, you can get away with cheaper supplies.

If you're only looking to stay in your home for a short period of time, you can get away with installing some short term shingles. These shingles are made from quality materials that will keep your roof looking nice and your home protected...but only for so long. It's best to go with roofing shingles that are guaranteed to last for at least 15 years. Looking at the shingles themselves, you'll find they are a bit thinner than longer lasting varieties. These types of shingles are best used in more moderate climates.

The best choice for homeowners who aren't sure how long they'll be staying in the house is a good mid-grade roofing shingle. These types are usually designed to last 20 years or so and are a little thicker than the short term types. If you've ever seen asphalt shingles, these are the types that fall into this midpoint. They cost a little more than the basic variety, but with that added cost comes a longer life. If you hire a professional company, they'll often recommend going with these mid-grade shingles.

If you're planning to stay in your house for the rest of your life (as many homeowners are), then you want to go ahead and plan for the long haul. That means getting high quality shingles that will last. There are shingles designed and guaranteed to last up to 50 years. The construction of these shingles is on another playing field than other varieties, but the cost is much higher as well. In this case, you have to look at the cost as a long term investment. No one likes to have their life interrupted by roofing repairs, so it's best to get it out of the way early and not have to worry about it again.

by: Abigail Aaronson

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