Choosing New Shingles

When picking new shingles for your home, the type of shingles you choose affects the longevity of your roof as well as the curb appeal of your home. Replacing old, worn shingles with a brand-new roof can provide a striking makeover for your property.

At the same time, cost must also be considered when choosing a roof. While a beautiful slate or copper roof might look stunning on your home, the cost of this roof may not work for your budget. But if you’re looking for something that offers a step up from traditional asphalt shingles, you may be interested in learning more about specialty shingles.

Read on to learn more about this upgraded asphalt shingle option, including what you need to know before you buy.

Types Of Specialty Shingles

Slate

Slate roofing is made from natural stone and is one of the most durable and long-lasting roofing materials available. Its timeless, elegant appearance adds a classic look to any home. Slate is fire-resistant, environmentally friendly, and can last over 100 years with proper care. While it’s heavier and more costly than other options, homeowners appreciate its low maintenance needs and superior lifespan.

Tile

Tile roofing, often made from clay or concrete, is popular for its distinct style and excellent durability. It’s especially well-suited for warm climates because it reflects heat and offers superior ventilation. Tile roofs resist fire, rot, and insect damage, and can last 50 years or more. They also come in a variety of colors and styles, allowing homeowners to achieve a custom look that enhances curb appeal.

Composite

Composite shingles are made from a blend of materials, including asphalt, fiberglass, and recycled plastics, designed to mimic the appearance of more expensive roofing types, such as slate or wood. They offer great versatility, are lightweight, and are generally more affordable than natural alternatives. Composite shingles are also resistant to impact, algae, and UV rays, making them a practical choice for a wide range of climates.

Cedar Shake

Cedar shake roofing utilizes natural wood shingles that provide a rustic, textured appearance. These shingles provide excellent insulation and naturally resist insects and moisture. Over time, cedar weathers beautifully to a silvery-gray finish. While they do require more maintenance than synthetic options, many homeowners love the charm, character, and eco-friendliness of real wood.

Specialty Shingles Resources

What are Specialty Roofing Shingles?

Specialty shingles are an upgraded version of standard asphalt shingles, featuring two layers of asphalt combined for a thicker surface and to incorporate more eye-catching design elements.

The top layer of a specialty shingle is cut with special designs that give it a three-dimensional look comparable to cedar shake, slate, and other higher-end shingles. From the street-level view, these shingles have more architectural definition as compared to a regular asphalt shingle, which can be preferable for homeowners looking to elevate their home’s appearance.

Specialty Shingles vs. 3-Tab Shingles: Key Differences

Although the materials used in specialty shingles are the same as a traditional asphalt shingle, these two types of shingles are separated from one another by a number of different factors, including:

• Design: As mentioned above, specialty shingles provide significantly more options for incorporating architectural design elements into the roof. Square, scalloped, and slate-like design options are available with a specialty shingle, while asphalt tabs are more limited in their visual options.
• Thickness: Because two pieces of asphalt are joined together in a specialty shingle, this upgraded version is twice as thick as a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle.
• Cost: Specialty shingles tend to run between 20 and 40 percent more expensive than 3-tab shingles.
• Durability: The added thickness and weight of specialty shingles make them more durable against high wind, falling debris, and other sources of degradation and damage. Overall, specialty shingles have a typical lifespan of 40 years or longer, compared to the 15- to 25-year lifespan of traditional asphalt shingles.

What Kind of Options Do You Get With Dimensional Shingles?

Specialty shingles give homeowners greater control over the appearance of their roof, and by extension, their entire home. Depending on the shingle brands available to you, you can choose the following options to customize their shingle design:

• Color: As is the case with traditional asphalt shingles, homeowners can select shingles that feature accent colors such as black, light gray, blue, brown, green, red, and many other options.
• Dimensional Shape: As mentioned above, the dimensional shapes cut from the top layer of asphalt give homeowners a wide range of options when choosing the style of their new roof. Different shapes and patterns can be selected to fit colonial, Victorian, modern, and many other architectural styles, bringing your roof’s appearance in line with the build of your house.
• Texturing: Some types of specialty shingles are designed to mimic the appearance of wood, making them a preferred option for homeowners seeking specialty shingles as an alternative to cedar shakes.

Are Luxury Asphalt Shingles More Difficult to Install?

Since luxury asphalt shingles are heavier, they can require a little more effort than asphalt shingles when installing on a roof. And just like traditional asphalt shingles, specialty shingles must be carefully installed to minimize gaps in this outer layer, thereby guarding against water leaks and maximizing the longevity of the upgraded roof.

For this reason, homeowners are strongly encouraged to hire a licensed, reputable roofing company to handle their specialty shingle installation. By working with a trusted roofing expert, you can thoroughly evaluate all of your roofing options and choose the roofing material and features that make the most sense for your home.

Ready to get started? Contact our local roofers here at Findlay Roofing for a quote today.

Contact Our Roofing Professionals Today

Like any other roofing material you choose, the longevity and value of a new roof depend on a proper installation. Inexperienced or unlicensed roofers can cause holes, gaps, and other installation issues that lead to water leaks and other problems with your roof, causing damage to your home and requiring additional roof repairs.

A trusted roofing company can help you choose the right roofing material for your home while ensuring its proper installation. Ready to get started? Contact Findlay Roofing’s team of experts today.