Selecting Long Lasting Roof Shingles

Choosing the proper roof shingles for a home is important and can take time. Many different types of roof shingles are available making it a job to consider each one and learn about all the varieties. As a homeowner you want to find the most cost effective option that is easy to maintain. You might even be installing it yourself and would want that to be easy as well as having easy upkeep of the roof shingles. Don’t forget the look of the material because you want your house to be appealing, which will help increase the value. There are pros and cons when it comes to each roof shingle option. The varieties of roof shingles include tile, metal and clay, as just a few examples.

When thinking about roof shingles these are often asphalt, while other options are becoming popular as well. Generally they are put on the roof, which is at an angle and overlap one another. This is a way to seal the house from water seeping inside and lead the water to the gutters on the edges of the roof. Roof shingles are also useful to keep other elements out of the home such as debris and light while also helping keep the house at a proper temperature.

Another use of shingles is to side the buildings but if you are thinking about using cedar shingles, they cost about 5 times the asphalt roofing.  Some roofing experts advice about treating cedar shingles with a coating or sealants every five years to protect and enhance the look of them. Since the roof gets slippery after the application, only professionals should do it.

Roof shingles have a long history from the 17th and 18th Centuries. They started out as a wooden material made from logs. They were shaped to resemble wedges and then when the industrial age began there were wood cutting machines that helped to make these roof shingle options look more uniform. It also was a time that allowed them to be more affordable.

Choosing roof shingles means also considering the negatives of each option. Look at the price of the shingle including installation, if you are not doing the job yourself. If you are doing the work consider if it is an option that is easy to do or not. Then compare the price to how long the roof is thought to last. It might not be so expensive if it lasts long enough that it won’t need constant repairs, replacements and maintenance. Some options rot out quickly, others need painting while others need less maintenance, but frequent replacements. If you are interested in earth-friendly options they are available as well.

Finding that perfect roof shingle means knowing what you want and what you are willing to spend. It also means doing the research to find the right option for your needs. Call up your local roof shingle installers and ask them about the prices and maintenance of the shingles that need to be installed.