Popular Types Of Roofing Shingles Used In Modern Homes
Your roof plays a key role in defending your home from the elements, and choosing the right one from various types of roofing shingles can make all the difference. If you are on the hunt for the perfect roofing shingles to adorn your modern abode, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog, we’ll dive into the exciting world of roofing shingles, where style meets functionality. So grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s embark on this roofing shingle adventure together!
Different Styles And Types Of Roofing Shingles To Choose From
Picture this: you’ve just built or purchased your dream home. And now, it’s time to crown it with the perfect roof. It’s certainly a big decision that can cause you to sift through all the roofing jargon and endless options out there. As your roof not only protects you from the elements but also sets the tone for your home’s overall style, it’s important to choose the best from all the types of roofing shingles available in the market.
Roofing shingles come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, and we’re here to be your trusty guides. From the classic and cost-effective asphalt shingles to the eco-friendly wonders of green roofing, we’ll cover an extensive range of choices that will leave you spoilt for choice.
Asphalt Roofing Shingles
Asphalt roofing shingles are one of the most widely used types of roofing material in modern homes. The reason for their increased popularity is the fact that the high-quality asphalt material offers a complete balance of affordability, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Moreover, their versatility makes them suitable for various architectural styles and climate conditions, making them a reliable and accessible roofing solution for modern homes. They are known for their capability to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are also relatively easy to install and require low maintenance, making them a popular choice for both professional roofers and DIY enthusiasts.
The best part is, even with all the benefits they offer, asphalt shingles are relatively cheaper compared to other roofing materials. Oh, and they also come in various styles and designs.
Strip Shingles
Strip shingles, more commonly referred to as 3-tab roofing shingles, are the traditional and most economical option. They consist of a single layer of asphalt with two slits to create three tabs per shingle. These shingles have a flat, uniform look and are lightweight. While they provide reliable protection, they are less dimensional and may not have the same visual impact as other types.
Class-4 Shingles
Class 4 shingles, also known as impact-resistant roofing shingles, are a type of asphalt shingle specifically designed to withstand severe weather conditions. These types of shingles are constructed with advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to provide superior impact resistance compared to standard asphalt shingles.
Furthermore, they also undergo rigorous testing to meet specific industry standards, including impact resistance testing with steel balls to simulate hail impacts. These tests are necessary to ensure that the material is resistant to hailstorms and other weather elements, such as strong winds and heavy rain.
Dimensional Shingles
Dimensional shingles, also known as architectural roofing shingles, have gained immense popularity due to their superior aesthetics. With a thicker-than-normal and multi-dimensional appearance, they mimic the appearance of natural materials such as wood or slate. The overlapping layers also create depth and texture, giving the roof a more visually appealing and sophisticated look.
Luxury Shingles
If you’re looking to make a statement with your roof, luxury shingles are the way to go. These premium shingles offer a high-end look and are often designed to mimic the appearance of natural materials such as slate or cedar shakes. They come in a range of shapes, sizes, and shades, allowing you to create a truly unique and striking roof.
Hip And Ridge Shingles
Hip and ridge shingles are specifically designed to cover the ridges and hips of your roof. They provide a finished and cohesive look, while also offering additional protection against leaks and weather elements.
Fiberglass Asphalt
Made from a fiberglass base mat and coated with asphalt and mineral granules, the fiberglass asphalt shingles offer excellent fire resistance, durability, and dimensional stability. The common asphalt shingles are reinforced with fiberglass to provide added strength and flexibility, making them resistant to cracking and warping. However, they may be more susceptible to impact damage and have a higher cost compared to some other types and styles of roofing shingles.
Cedar Shake Shingles
Cedar shake shingles are made from natural cedar wood, typically sourced from Western Red Cedar or Eastern White Cedar trees. Offering a distinct, rustic, and textured look., they showcase the natural beauty of the wood. With variations in color, grain patterns, and thickness, cedar shakes add a charming and authentic appeal to the roof.
Wood Roofing Shingles
Wood roofing shingles are typically made from various types of wood, including cedar, redwood, pine, or cypress. They offer a warm and natural appearance, similar to cedar shake shingles. However, they have a smoother surface compared to shakes, providing a more refined and uniform look.
These shingles also have a decent lifespan when properly maintained, typically lasting around 20 to 30 years. Regular maintenance, including periodic inspections, cleaning, and treatments, is necessary to ensure their longevity and resistance to decay, rot, and insects.
Metal Roofing Shingles
To add a sleek and contemporary look to your house, we recommend choosing metal roofing shingles. Apart from their elegance and style, they are known for their longevity, low maintenance, and exceptional performance in various weather conditions.
Due to all these added benefits, metal shingles tend to have a higher upfront cost. The cost of materials, installation, and specialized labor can make metal roofing a significant investment. However, it’s worth noting that the long lifespan and durability of metal shingles can contribute to cost savings in the long run. Now that you know about the pros and cons of metal shingles, let’s learn about the different types of roofing shingles available in the metal material.
Sheet Metal
Sheet metal roofing shingles are large, flat metal panels typically made from steel or aluminum. They provide a clean and modern aesthetic to a roof. They are available in different profiles and can be customized to fit specific architectural styles.
Moreover, sheet metals are lightweight, durable, and often coated with protective finishes to enhance their resistance to corrosion and weathering. However, we must tell you that while metal shingles are generally durable, they can be susceptible to denting under certain circumstances.
Hail or falling branches can cause dents on the surface of the metal shingles. But, the extent of denting can vary based on the thickness and quality of the metal used. So, we highly recommend choosing the highest quality sheets for a better look and greater protection.
Standing Seam Shingles
Standing seam shingles are characterized by their distinctive raised seams that run vertically along the roof’s surface. These shingles are made from long metal panels that interlock with one another, creating a watertight and durable roofing system. If you want to make sure that your home provides a modern and minimalistic design, standing shingles are the way to go.
Aluminum Shingles
For people who live in coastal or humid environments, Aluminium shingles are the right choice. They are lightweight materials that are corrosion-resistant. These types of roofing shingles offer excellent durability and are known for their ability to endure harsh weather conditions, including high winds and heavy rain.
Copper Shingles
If you are looking to add a unique character to your roof and home, copper shingles are an excellent choice. They are a premium option known for their distinctive appearance and unmatched longevity. Over time, copper develops an exclusive patina that adds character and elegance to a home.
Copper shingles are highly durable, resistant to corrosion, and can last for several decades. Most often, they are chosen for their high aesthetic appeal and are commonly found on historic or high-end properties. So, it’s best to add character and charm to your house with copper shingles.
Eco-friendly Shingles
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles, also known as photovoltaic (PV) shingles, are innovative roofing materials that incorporate solar cells to generate electricity. These shingles capture sunlight and convert it into usable electrical energy. They can easily blend with conventional shingles, providing a dual purpose of roofing and renewable energy generation.
COOL Roofing Shingles
COOL roofing shingles are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional roofing materials. They have special coatings or pigments that increase solar reflectance, decreasing heat transfer to the building below.
By keeping the roof surface cooler, these shingles help reduce the energy needed for cooling, lower electricity costs, and decrease the urban heat island effect.
Green Roof Shingles
Green roof shingles, also known as vegetative or living roof shingles, involve the installation of a layer of vegetation on the roof surface. These shingles provide numerous environmental benefits, including stormwater management, improved air quality, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced aesthetics. Moreover, they contribute to urban biodiversity, create habitats for wildlife, and (similar to cool roofing shingles) help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Endnote Selecting the right one from tons of types of roofing shingles for your home is a crucial decision. It impacts not only the aesthetics but also the durability, energy efficiency, and environmental footprint of your property. Luckily, our team at NDA Construction LLC is proficient in the installation process of modern roofs. We can guide you in choosing the right shingles for your roof and help you install too. So, stop waiting around and contact us today to enjoy the benefits that modern roofing shingles bring to your home.
