Shingle roofs remain one of the most popular roofing options, not only in Florida but throughout the country. Shingles come in a variety of styles and can conform to nearly any shape. The shingles are also easy to maintain and can be replaced easily when damaged.
Those are just some of the benefits of roofing shingles. All professional roofing services will tell you that shingles are a wise investment for any type of home.
But roofing your home is a big investment and not one you want to consider lightly. Here are the pros and cons of roofing shingles so that you can make the wisest and most informed buying decision.
Benefits of Roof Shingles
Least Expensive Roofing Option
Compared to metal roofs, aluminum, or even wood, roof shingles tend to be budget-friendly. You are likely to be pleased with a shingle roof estimate when you notice the low cost of installation, too.
In short, if you are trying to save money on your roof, then Shingles is a good choice for you.
Appropriate for Any Style Home
Shingles can be purchased so that they conform to the architecture you are aiming for. The roofing shingles work particularly well with steep-sloped roofs.
Easy to Install
Installing shingles is fairly inexpensive, primarily because the roofing shingles are so easy to install. Shingle roofing is cut and applied, it’s as simple as that. The shingles can be walked across so roofers can tell they are applied correctly, and the installation process tends to be quick.
Metal roofing, on the other hand, isn’t as easy to install, as the process is completed in sheets, which requires specialized equipment and tools.
Shingles are Easy to Repair
If a shingle becomes damaged, the broken or cracked shingle can be lifted away and replaced with a new one. In some cases, a new shingle is not necessary. It can be repaired or patched.
On the other hand, with a Metal roof, you might have to replace an entire sheet if one becomes damaged. This makes Shingles an excellent choice if you are looking for a low cost and effective roofing application.
Do Not Require Structural Reinforcement
Another reason the shingle roof cost is kept low is because of the shingles’ lightweight design and the fact that they don’t need structural reinforcement. With fewer materials needed, you save even more with your new shingle roof installation.
Heavier roofing applications like Clay Tile require structural reinforcement that can add significant cost to your roofing project.
Low-Maintenance Roofing
Shingle roofing is among the easiest materials to care for. The shingles themselves can be walked on easily during inspections and replaced without issue if defects are present.
The same can’t be said for metal roofing. When comparing metal roofs vs shingle roofs, the first thing you notice is the high cost of maintenance metal roofs require. With shingles, you save on the installation process and when it comes time to fixing any shingles that may be broken.
Fully Customizable Roofing
Roof shingles let you choose the look you want most. There are standard or organic shingles and laminated shingles that are fortified with fiberglass. Shingles also come in a wide variety of colors, degrees of fire resistance, brands, and life-span ratings.
Other roofing materials can come in a variety of colors, but shingles tend to have a style all their own. Ask your roofing company to show you examples of the types of interesting designs you can accomplish by getting creative with the roof shingles you buy.
Drawbacks of Shingle Roofing
Everything has at least one negative side. Let’s see how the cons stack up to the pros when we put shingles up against other common roofing materials.
Average Roofing Style
Out of all the materials professional roofing services use, shingles are always among the most popular. While their ubiquity is a sure sign that shingles are reliable if most people have them. Unfortunately, because everyone has them, your shingled home may not stand out.
If you don’t care that you have a roof like any other home on the block, by all means, choose shingles. If you want something more illuminating, consider a metal roof vs shingle roof instead. Metal roofing also comes in many styles, though it may set you back a bit more than shingle roofing ever would.
Shingles Don’t Last as Long as Metal or Slate
Shingle roofing can protect your home for many years to come.
Nowadays, Shingle manufacturers will warranty their shingle roofs for 30 years or even a lifetime. However, in our harsh Florida climate, shingles have a life expectancy of 10-17 years. Because of this, your insurance company will most likely make you replace your roof before they renew your policy.
How well you maintain your shingle roof certainly matters, but shingles can’t hold a candle to metal or clay tiles, which can last for up to thirty or forty years or more.
Shingles need to be replaced more often.
Can Be Damaged or Blown Away
Florida storms can be brutal. In addition to hurricanes, we often have storms that bring strong gusts and hail. While every effort is made to ensure shingle roofs can stand up to the worst of storms, unfortunately, the shingles can fail if the wind is strong enough. They can fly away, get struck by a tree branch, or other debris, and they can be wrenched from their spot on your roof by hurricane-strength gales.
All Metal roofing applications will hold up much better than asphalt shingles against storms. If strength is important to you, you may want to consider installing a metal roof.
Can Be Affected by Heat
Storms and high winds can damage your roof but so can baking for many hours in the hot Florida sun. While it doesn’t happen all the time, shingle roofing can scar or otherwise become damaged if the shingles become overheated. Other materials like metal withstand higher temperatures, storms, and fire.
Can’t Handle Florida’s Fluctuating Temperatures
In Brevard County, we know all about fluctuating temperatures, especially in the winter months. While we can jump into the heat or air conditioning to keep ourselves comfortable in the face of wild weather, your roof has no choice but to take the brunt. Getting hot and cold over many seasons can cause your roof shingles to buckle and warp. Any variation in their intended shape can allow moisture to seep through. Metal, clay tiles, and even wood are better options if you want a roof that will stand firm against the constant hot and cold weather changes.
Not Very Eco-Friendly
While they are not totally damaging to the environment, shingles are less environmentally friendly than metal roofing, for example, which is 100% recyclable. Asphalt shingles are made of a semi-solid form of petroleum, which means they have a hand on keeping us dependent on fossil fuels. Many consider the manufacturing process that goes into shingles to the wasteful of energy. The manufacturing of shingles also creates greenhouse gas emissions, which are harmful to the environment. So, if you are looking to do your part for the local ecosystem, a metal roof over shingles may be the better buy.
Can Be Damaged by Mildew
You have to be careful about the sections of your shingle roofing that remains in the shade. If moisture is able to seep into your roof, those shady areas could develop mildew. Over time, this can cause damage to the roof shingles themselves and the underlying materials holding your roof together. Other roofing materials, like metal, don’t have this problem.
Are You Ready for a Shingle Roof Installation?
As you can see, there are many good reasons for installing shingles. The cost of shingles is cheaper than others, the shingles last a fairly long time, and they look attractive enough for any style of home. You can even get the shingles in various colors and styles, suiting your personal preferences.
The drawbacks include the high susceptibility to damage and the fact that, as roofing materials go, shingles are not that exciting. Everyone seems to have a shingle roof.
However, if you want a reliable roofing material that is cost-effective and able to stand up to Florida storms, shingles are a good investment.
How to Choose Shingle Roofing for Your Home
The first step to getting a shingle roof for your home is to contact the professional roofing services in your area. For example, Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. offers free, no-obligation inspections and estimates. We can help you find low-cost shingles that look the part, and that perform as you expect.
We take care of everything, from the initial inspection and estimate to closing the deal, obtaining permits, and performing the shingle roof installation with a satisfaction-guarantee. You are sure to be pleased with your choice of roofing company and materials. We even have plenty of references to offer to prove we are the best choice of roofer in the area.
When you want long-term protection for your home, and a boosted home value, Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. has you covered. Our shingle roofs are attractive, built-to-last, and made to withstand Mother Nature’s wrath.
The shingles are low maintenance, fortified against fire and leaks, and are sure to fit your budget. The only thing left to do is schedule a free estimate with one of our qualified roofing professionals.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Inspection & Estimate for Roofing Shingles
Get started now by scheduling a free inspection of your current roof, or a free estimate if you are undergoing new home construction. One of our professional roofing experts will arrive on your property, ready to provide you with a low-cost quote for shingles, with no obligation to commit at any time.
Call (321) 307-8464 and tell us about your roofing needs and ask about our specials and warranties on new shingle roofs throughout Brevard County, including Cocoa, Merritt, and Rockledge, Florida.
