Roof Shingles 

A leaky roof can wreak havoc on even the most beautiful home and therefore installing the best roof shingles is extremely important. Shingles come in a variety of shapes, patterns, styles and colors, however there are only three basic types of shingles or tiles and deciding on which shingles to buy depends on a number of factors.

In each instance the first consideration is the general climate of the area in which the home is located and the local building conditions and norms, and with the advances made in technology there are many choices related to looks, durability, finish, color, shape, and quality.

The most trendy and popular type or choice for roof shingles is composition shingles, which are generally two to three feet long and made of substances like thick felt, crushed rock, tar, and other appropriate materials shaped together to form a single section and they are available in many colors and styles. They can be used in multiple ways including on top of a new roof, replacing, or actually being installed on top of old existing shingles on the roof.

For stucco homes and homes in hot climates tile shingles are often used, however these shingles are heavy so the roof on which they are being installed must be strongly structured and well built. While tile shingles are very tough and sturdy the methods used to install or repair them can be complicated.

Cedar shingles have also been installed for a number of years but more recently people are avoiding using them because they can create a dangerous fire risk and they also demand much more care and attention, requiring cleaning at regular intervals and maintaining their appearance. In spite of these drawbacks and because of the royal look of cedar shingles, manufacturers are trying to make a kind of composite shingle that looks like real cedar and which would be fade and fire resistant and also require very little if any maintenance.

In areas that receive a lot of snow the best option is often to install metal roof shingles because they make it easy for the snow to slip off the roof which then reduces the likelihood of the roof collapsing in on itself or being dented by the weight of the snow.

Whatever the need for roofing or re-roofing, it is always wise to do some research before making such an important decision.

On our site, you will find many informative articles to answer all your questions about roof shingles like the different types and tips on installing them.

If you have any comments or suggestions please drop us a line by clicking on "Contact Us" at the bottom of the page and filling in the contact form.