subject: Types Of Shingles Roofing & Their Features [print this page] Shingles help owners keep the appearance of their homes in an updated condition. They are also extremely helpful in keeping the home safe from the vagaries of the weather. There are many varieties of shingles that you can choose from. They all differ in their appearance, materials of which they are made and also in the pricing factor.
Metal shingles such as aluminum and copper are less expensive when compared to asphalt shingles. Installation of metal shingles is easy and the fact that they are available in a variety of colors, shapes and size can help owners customize their roofs to match with their surroundings. They are also available in different styles. Price variations are observed between various metals used in making shingles. Metal shingles last for a long time, sometimes as long as twenty or fifty years depending on their maintenance. For this reason, they are the most suitable choice for owners.
Fiberglass shingles are less expensive than metal ones. While they are easy to install as compared to metal shingles, they create beautiful patterns and designs when installed. Fiberglass shingles treated with AR helps prevent the growth of mold and fungus. The biggest disadvantage of using fiberglass shingles is their low life span. They last at the most for around fifteen years.
The shingles with the biggest lifespan is undoubtedly slate shingles. It is not uncommon to see homes with slate shingles that are more than a century old. Even then they look strong and sturdy to last for a few more decades. As all good things in life, good quality shingles such as slate shingles comes at a high price. Homeowners do not mind the high cost of buying and installing slate shingles because of its ability to last for decades. You will need experienced and expert contractors to install slate shingles correctly. This is no do-it-yourself-over-the-weekend project.
Wood shingles are also available for those who own homes with complex architectural structures. However they are not a good choice if protection against fire is one of your main objectives. They are susceptible to decay and have a low durability factor.
Tile is another material used for making shingles. They are however expensive as compared to other materials. Tile shingles are made of plastic and are extremely lightweight. Some tile shingles are also made from clay, which offers a high degree of fire protection. Professional installers are needed to install such shingles.
