If you are planning to buy a new roof, you are probably wondering which roofing material will work best for your commercial building or home. All roofs are not created equal, though; thus, several options need to be considered before choosing the best roofing material that will suit your needs.
While it’s good to have several roof options such as metal, tile, concrete and asphalt shingles, evaluating the pros and cons of each roofing material can be an uphill battle. Shingles offer incredible benefits compared to other roofing material options.
This post will discuss the benefits that homeowners can enjoy when they opt for asphalt shingles over other roofing material options.
Know Which is the Best Roofing Material to Use?
With so many roofing material options available in the market today, business or homeowners need to sift through each option before making their final decision.
Choosing which materials to use really depends on the results you desire. Every roofing product has its positives and negatives. When faced with the task of replacing your roof, you will need to evaluate what is crucial to you.
Everyone wants a “quality” product, and you can find good quality in just about every option. The things that matter are longevity, durability (against weather), maintenance, aesthetics, and affordability. How you rank these factors will help you make your choice.
Asphalt shingles are no doubt the most popular roofing material in the U.S., accounting for more than 80% of the total residential market, including replacements and new construction. However, each asphalt shingle is unique in its own right.
What is the Most Durable & Long-lasting Roofing Material..??
Let’s face it. Asphalt shingles fall toward the bottom of the list in this department. That’s not to say they are horrible, and some shingles even have a class 4 impact rating to protect against hail.
The average architectural shingles can withstand up to 130Mph wind gust. They are still good, however,the heavier slate and tile roofs which are more commonly found in tropical regions are more durable. They are designed to withstand hurricane force winds,but they are also exponentially more expensive.
Metal roofs fall right in the middle. A standing seam metal roof can withstand high winds, and even the most significant hailstorms won’t impede the functionality of the roof. The aesthetics may take a hit, but it won’t leak.
When discussing longevity, asphalt shingles fall toward the bottom of the list as well. There are stone and tile roofs that were installed in the 15th century but are still functional today. Metal roofs can last up to 100 years. Although some shingle roofs boast a 50 years lifespan, the average asphalt shingle roof lasts between 20-30 years. That’s assuming it has optimal weather conditioning and is in a favorable regional location.
Advantages of Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Well, we have beat up on our shingle buddy pretty bad so far in this post, and you may be wondering; If they are not the most durable, and don’t last long, then why do 80% of Americans prefer asphalt shingles?
Here are some of the reasons why Asphalt shingles are the #1 choice for roofing materials in the U.S.
1. ASPHALT SHINGLES ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN OTHER ROOFING MATERIALS
The 1st reason asphalt shingles are used more than any other roofing material is because of their affordability.
In fact, most homeowners don’t live in a hurricane region or an extreme weather region. So, there is no need for the expense of having stone or clay tile installed on their home.
Metal roofs, on average, cost almost double what an asphalt shingle replacement cost, and stone or clay tiles can get to the 10x or 20x range.
Affordability is a huge determining factor to the budget-minded average American.
2. ASPHALT SHINGLES REQUIRE LESS MAINTENANCE
The second significant advantage of a shingle roof is maintenance. Once an asphalt shingle roof is installed, it’s pretty much good to go. There is very little maintenance required. Even if a large storm hits, individual shingles can be replaced at a reasonably low expense, and repairs can be easy.
With the higher-end stone and tile roofs, repairs can be a considerable expense, and they require regular maintenance to keep them up to par. Metal roofs also require low maintenance; however, if a panel needs to be replaced, there is no way to match the original color due to sun bleaching. So, it will take a nasty hit on the aesthetics side.
Another considerable advantage on the maintenance side is algae resistance. Algae buildup will occur on any roofing surface, and cleaning can be costly and time-consuming.
Today’s asphalt shingles are manufactured using tar mat and fiberglass. At the factory, this tar mat is heated, and colored granules are pressed into it. This is what gives asphalt shingles their color and protects them from the elements. What you don’t see is that these granules are actually made from small copper bits coated with colored ceramic. As the ceramic weathers, it exposes the bits of copper.
When it rains, water passes over these copper bits and the chemicals from these bits kills any algae that may be forming. This can be well demonstrated by looking at a roof with lots of algae growth. If you see one, notice that the roof will be clean under the metal pipe boots.
Different manufacturers put various copper proportions in their granules. So ,the results vary by the manufacturer. Atlas Manufacturing Corp. has partnered with the 3M™ Company to provide a high-level of copper granules, and they promote a lifetime guarantee from algae growth.
3. ASPHALT SHINGLES CAN IMPROVE THE AESTHETICS & VERSATILITY OF YOUR HOME
The third significant benefit of using asphalt shingles is to enhance the versatility and aesthetics of your home. Asphalt shingles come in various shapes, styles, and colors. On one home we installed an asphalt shingle that was designed resemble a clay villa roofing tile. When it comes to getting exact aesthetic results, you can best accomplish them with asphalt roof shingles.
Final Words
There will always be people with enough money to buy the best and most expensive roofing material available on the market. Those people are just not the ordinary budget-minded homeowners.
Are you planning to live in your home for the next 50 years?
So, does it matter if you only get 20 to 30 years out of your roof?
Do you live in fear of a hurricane every season?
Ask yourself these questions when determining what type of roof you want and need. I am willing to bet you will fall into the 80% category and come to realize that asphalt shingles are the best choice for your home too.