To say shingles are a common home roofing option is something of an understatement. In fact, over 80% of homes in the United States have a shingle roofing system. That is a LOT of shingles! Odds are your home is one of those 80%.
Shingles are a good choice as they are strong, durable, economical and have a good lifespan. Available in a nice palette of color and even design options, shingles offer the homeowner a unique ability to customize the look and feel of their home.
Shingle Styles
There are 18 different shingle styles to choose from. With so many options available, a brief overview of the most popular seems appropriate.
Asphalt Shingles. This is probably the best known shingle style. Available in a 3-tab style, fiberglass asphalt combination or architectural styles, the asphalt shingle offers a wide level of versatility.
The 3-tab style visually appears as 3 separate shingles but are in a single unit. This option is the least expensive of the asphalt shingle choices. However, it is generally thinner and tends to wear out more quickly than the other choices.
The primary benefits of 3-tab asphalt shingles are:
- Ease of installation
- Budget friendly cost
- Multiple color options
- Lifespan 15-20 years
Architectural shingles are also considered a part of the asphalt shingle family. With a sculpted look and thicker, more durable design than the 3-tab, architectural shingles offer a longer lifespan and vastly increased aesthetic.
Primary benefits of the architectural shingle are:
- Ease of installation
- Beautiful aesthetic
- Multiple color/style options
- Lifespan 30-50 years
Metal Roof Shingles. Offering the color and style versatility of the asphalt shingle and combining with the strength and durability of metal, the metal roof shingle can be a very wise investment for the savvy homeowner.
Metals can include aluminum, copper, steel, tin or zinc and designs can vary depending on manufacturer. For homes that require a lightweight roofing option, metal roof shingles top the list.
Benefits of a metal roof shingle system include:
- Custom aesthetic
- Lightweight system
- Improved strength
- Lifespan 75-100 years
Wood Shingles. Though you may not have considered wood as a “shingle”, in fact they are! Wood shingles come in both a structured even wood shingle, and a more weathered split wood style commonly known as “shake”.
Wood shingles lend a feeling of warmth to a home and shake is well known to provide a rustic feeling. These options allow for the home to be more personalized to the personality of the homeowner.
Benefits of wood shingle include:
- Rustic aesthetic
- Natural compounds
- Weather resistant
- Lifespan 15-50 years
For more information on the other types of shingles available or to schedule a consultation regarding shingle repair or replacement for your home, please call your local shingle roofing experts at MG Roof Construction, 814-383-0161. Our friendly staff and highly trained technicians are eager to meet with you and make your shingle roofing dream a reality. We look forward to speaking with you soon.