Installing roof shingles requires specialized training under a licensed roofing contractor so that the job is done properly and will last the number of years specified by the type of roof that is installed.

There are different types of roof shingles so learning to install roof shingles usually requires some sort of specialization in a type of shingling material. The most delicate and least common to install is slate roofing material, since about ninety-five percent of roofs are of a different material than slate, since it is the most expensive.

Pros and Cons

Installing metal roofing shingles is probably the easiest although it is not the most common roofing material on the market today. Metal roofing material is lightweight which requires less of the frame of the house or office in order to support it, thus costing less.

Metal roof shingles are also created to fit perfectly side by side so it is easier to word with than other materials that may have oddly shaped pieces to fit into place. Since the material is lightweight, installing metal roof shingles is also easier on the roofing crew and only requires a forklift in most cases rather than a crane to lift it to the roof.

Installing composition shingles are the most commonly used on houses today. Composition shingles are made of asphalt and are laid in rows along the rooftop to adequately cover it and protect it from all types of weather. Organic shingles are the thinnest and do not protect as well or last as long as fiberglass shingles.

Architectural roof shingles are ones that can be used to accent the design of the building, such as dimensional shingles, which are thickest of the composition shingles and have a custom appearance. This requires more specialized installation of roofing shingles to provide that custom look.

Installing composition shingles also requires vents be installed at regular intervals so that there is adequate air flow through the attic space, which requires more knowledge by the roofing team.

Installation of tile and slate roofing shingles are the most complex because of the delicate nature of the roofing materials themselves. In addition, these roofs are not as common so there is not as much exposure by average roofing crews to the materials and installation process.

Most consumers who want tile or slate roofs installed are wise to contact a roofing company through a professional roofing organization that is focused on that type of roofing material. That way there is more certainty that the team is licensed to work with that type of material and has the proper expertise and experience in the field.

When installing roofing shingles, one of the most common and economical choices on the market are asphalt roofing shingles. Asphalt roofing shingles are made of organic material or fiberglass and last anywhere from twenty to fifty years.

Although they are not the most beautiful roofing materials to use, there are some more decorative asphalt roofing materials today that can also play into the design of the home or office. Asphalt roofing shingles can only be used on pitched roofs, not flat, since they are made to deflect rain and snow rather than deal with small areas of pooling water.

Price Comparisons

Asphalt roofing shingles usually cost between sixty to one hundred dollars per square which is very reasonable for pitched roofing material. There are some flat roofing materials that are less expensive than that such as tar and asphalt or roll roofing, but for pitched roofs it is the least expensive on the market.

The main consideration as far as installing asphalt roofing shingles is the ventilation so that there is air circulation in the attic space under the roof. There should be one vent per three hundred square feet of roofing material, with half of the vents being near the ridge of the roof and the other half placed near the eaves.

If this is done properly, then moss build up should not be a problem and the roof should last its lifetime of twenty to forty years.

The mid-range pricing for roofing material in comparison to asphalt roofing shingles are the metal and rubber roofing materials. Metal roofing material is probably the more popular of the two and has a life of about fifty years, which is excellent.

In addition, metal roofing material has more options in color and style, such as imitating tile and slate shingles. Both rubber and metal roofing materials have some sun deflecting properties, depending on the kind used, which helps with energy costs in hotter climates.

The most expensive roofing materials in comparison to asphalt roofing shingles are cedar shakes, tile and slate. Cedar shakes are environmentally friendly, but often have to have fire retardant added to it in order to meet fire codes in neighborhoods which increases the cost.

Tile roofing last a long time, but is very heavy to install and can be easily broken during the process which adds to the cost. Slate roofing material is the longest lasting, often lasting over one hundred years. It is also very weather resistant and requires little maintenance after installation.

Installation is critical with slate, however, and requires an expert roofing team who is specifically trained in slate roofing.

When considering a re-roofing project or even roofing a house or commercial structure for the first time, metal roof shingles are a great choice for a variety of reasons.

Although they are not as inexpensive as asphalt roofing shingles, which run around sixty to one hundred dollars per square, they are not much more expensive, yet last anywhere from ten to twenty years longer than asphalt shingles.

In addition, they do not have the expense of tile or slate roofing shingles, yet the variety of looks and textures that are available in metal roofing shingles allows the consumer to achieve the same look for his roof at a fraction of the cost.

Benefits

Besides being average in cost for roofing materials, metal roof shingles offer other benefits as well. One benefit is that metal roofing shingles are lightweight, and as such they do not require as much structural support as other roofing materials such as tile or slate, thus saving additional cost.

Because the metal roofing shingles are lightweight, they are also easier to manage for the roofing crew, usually only needing a forklift to move the materials rather than cranes, which also saves on cost. Since the shingles fit together nicely, it also makes them easy to install.

In addition, metal roof shingles can also be insulated, which saves on the cost of additional roofing insulation. The two metal sheets are infused with liquid insulation foam which expands until it fills all the airspace between the metal sheets. After that it is hung to dry so that it forms one solid, insulated piece, which provides uniform insulation for the roof.

Although standing seam metal roofs are the most well known, where the sheets are hooked together side by side through concealed fasteners so that it looks like one solid sheet of ridged metal, rather than shingles.

There are almost unlimited varieties of metal roofing shingles available today, however, so that the consumer can fit the shingles to the style of the house or office. These metal roofing shingles can look like tile or slate, as well as traditional shingles and can come in a variety of colors.

Metal roofing shingles are long lasting, usually having a warrantee up to fifty years from the manufacturer. They are also weather resistant, especially in high winds, and are galvanized with zinc oxide so that they resist corrosion and oxidation that could damage the metal. These shingles also do not absorb water like other roofing material, so there is no mold damage or moss problem.

Solar roof shingles have come a long way in development over the past ten years. It used to be, that if a consumer wanted to use solar power, he was required to mount unattractive solar panels on the roof to collect the sunlight. Today, there are solar roof shingles that look like regular shingles so that they blend into the rest of the roof and do not disrupt the design of the house or office building.

Considerations

There are some considerations when thinking about adding solar roof shingles to a building, whether house or office. One consideration is whether the roof of the building gets a lot of sunlight during the day and especially if it is on the south facing side of the roof.

This is the best facing roof to collect the most possible rays with the solar paneled roof. It is still possible to use the solar roof shingles on eastern or western facing roofs, but it is not as ideal and will collect less energy than on southern facing rooftops.

The ideal time to implement solar roof shingles is when the building is being built so that the entire look of the building can completely flow together.

Today however, there are blue or purple solar roof shingles that blend into the traditional shingles that are used on rooftops. There are also some black solar roofing shingles that can blend into certain types of roofs with darker shingles.

Using solar roof shingles allows the consumer to either stay ‘on grid’ or go ‘off grid’ with their power company. Basically, the power from the solar roofing shingles is used first in the house or business.

When that energy is consumed each day, then the house or business moves over to the traditional energy source from the power company.

If, by chance, the solar roofing shingles make more than the energy used by the building, then the overage energy can be ’sold’ back to the power company to help other people.

If a building gets exceptional sunlight, then it could be possible to go ‘off grid,’ meaning that the building is not connected to a traditional power source at all. This is somewhat risky due to weather considerations and it is usually recommended that there be some sort of back up power source such as wind or water.

Solar roofing shingles are still more expensive, costing about as much as tile and slate shingles, which is significantly more than asphalt or metal roofing shingles. However, these shingles usually pay for themselves in about a ten year period, depending on the sunlight received by a particular roof.

In residential roofing, there are many other choices today on the market then there were ten years ago due to technological advances in the field.

Now, instead of only having the choice between asphalt shingles, there are now choices in other average priced roofing materials such as metal, which give the same high class shingled look but without going to the cost of cedar shakes, tile or slate. There are also energy saving solar roofing shingles that are becoming more affordable and look better than they did in years past.

Types of Shingles

The most common and least expensive roof shingles are asphalt shingles that are made either of organic material or fiberglass. Organic asphalt shingles are the least expensive, running between sixty to one hundred dollars per square and lasting around twenty years.

Fiberglass roofing shingles are flexible and stronger than the organic asphalt shingles and last from twenty to thirty years. The highest class of shingles is dimensional shingles that are thicker still and have a custom appearance that allows for more design options.

Most roofing companies are able to install these asphalt shingles since they are so common. During installation, there must be adequate venting systems so that there is good air flow in the attic space under the roof.

There should be one square foot vent per three hundred square feet of roof and half of the vents should be near the ridge and half near the eaves. One problem with asphalt roofs that requires maintenance is high winds; with another problem being moss build up.

Metal roof shingles are an option that did not used to be available, but now provide a variety of options in color and design. Metal roofing material is a little higher in cost than asphalt roofs, but is longer lasting, with an average life of about fifty years.

Metal roofing shingles are also lightweight and easy to work with, making it easy for the roofing companies to install. They come in tile and slate looks, which is a wonderful option for those who cannot afford the prices of those two materials, but still want to have that look for their house or business.

Tile roof shingles are more expensive than metal roofing material and last about the same amount of time. They are very heavy to install and require a roofing company that specializes in tile roofing to make sure it is done properly.

Slate roofing material is the most expensive, usually running from six hundred to one thousand dollars per square, which is ten times as much as asphalt roofing material. Slate also requires special installation and can be brittle to work with.

The most common type of roofing material is roof shingles which are normally made of asphalt.

For residential roofing, this is the least expensive roofing material, although for flat roofed homes, there is also tar and gravel, modified bitumen, and roll roofing material that is a little less expensive but does not last as long. The most expensive roofing material cost is for slate roofing material, but it also lasts the longest.

From Least to Greatest

The least expensive roofing material cost is for roll roofing, which is applied in one layer and is made of asphalt shingle. This type of roofing material cannot be used on pitched roofs, only flat roofs which have a three inch rise to a twelve inch run. It also cannot be used in high rain or snow climates and only has a life expectancy of ten years, the shortest of all roofing material.

Built up roofing materials are the next expensive, but they also can only be used on flat roofs. There is tar and asphalt roofing material which has three to five layers of saturated felt layered with tar and asphalt, with the top layer having rock and minerals.

Modified bitumen uses the same idea but uses polyester or fiberglass layers with bitumen in between. Both of these are low cost and last longer than roll roofing but also cannot be used in high rain or snow climates.

Shingle roofing material costs are next in line, with asphalt shingles costing between sixty to one hundred dollars per square. Shingle roofing usually lasts twenty years, depending on the type, and is used on pitched roofs. Dimensional shingles are the strongest, but also cost a little more, and last about forty years.

These roofs have a need for venting and can have problems with moss build up, but are overall a solid choice in roofing material.

Metal roofing material cost is a little more than shingles but is a reasonable choice in roofing material. Metal roofing gives a lot of flexibility in styles since it can mimic tile, shingle and slate roofing material, yet still maintains the light weight and strong durability metal roofs are known for.

It can also be used on pitched and flat roofs, so it also gives additional flexibility.

Tile and slate roofing material cost is most expensive of all roofing material. The installation of these types of roofing materials is also more expensive since the roofers must be specialized in their installation.

Although they are more expensive, they also last the longest, often from fifty to one hundred years with little maintenance.

Residential roofing material comes in a huge variety of choices in today’s market. Depending on the slope of the roof and the cost of the roofing material that the consumer wants to stay within, there are different colors and design options to choose from that complement any style of home.

Pitched Roofs

Residential roofing materials are usually pitched roofing material, since most homes have a slanted roof rather than a flat one, depending on the climate. The most common residential roofing material is composition shingles, which are composed of asphalt material, either organic or fiberglass.

Asphalt residential roofing material usually costs from sixty to one hundred dollars per square, which is some of the cheapest on the market.

There is also the option to use dimensional shingles which are thicker and provide a more custom appearance for the roof in addition to having a longer life, lasting up to forty years instead of twenty to thirty.

Residential roofing material for pitched roofs also includes tile or slate roofs, which are on the more expensive end of the spectrum. Slate roofs often run from six hundred to one thousand dollars, which is ten times the amount of asphalt roofs. However, both of these types of residential roofing materials last significantly longer than asphalt roofs and require less maintenance, with slate roofs lasting up to one hundred years or more.

Flat Roofs

Flat residential roofing materials are made for roofs that are of a three inch rise to twelve inch run or less. The one common residential roofing material between pitched and flat roofs is metal, which is very versatile.

Metal roofing materials are of average cost, a little more than asphalt roofs but much less than slate. Metal roofing is also flexible in texture and look, offering standing seam which is the most common, but also tile and slate.

This allows the consumer to create the look he wants without the cost of tile and slate. Metal roofs last up to fifty years and are also low maintenance, making them a great choice for any home.

In addition to metal, the most common and least expensive flat residential roofing materials are tar and gravel, modified bitumen and roll roofing materials. The first two are built-up roofs, meaning they use layers of materials to build the roof which is a messy process.

Roll roofing material is a single layer of asphalt shingle mat, which is very inexpensive, but also only lasts for about ten years.

Slate roofing material has been around for a long time and with good reason. Slate roofs often last at least one hundred years and some have even been known to last two hundred years! Slate roofing material also adds a sense of class and style to any home or office building, being made of stone to compliment any building design.

Benefits of Slate

Slate roofing material is the most expensive of residential roofing materials, yet it also requires less maintenance and lasts for an extremely long time.

Slate roofing material usually costs between six hundred to one thousand dollars per square, which is about ten times the cost of asphalt shingles. However, slate roofing material is much more aesthetically pleasing than asphalt shingles, and they last up to five times as long before having to be replaced, in fact, in most cases outliving the owner of the residence!

Slate roofing material must be installed by an expert in slate roofing so that it is installed properly, this eliminating possible problems encountered by a less experienced team.

Be sure to ask the contractor for references when contemplating a slate roof and also ask if they are a member of a slate roofing association, which would help to ensure that they are up on the latest practices regarding slate roofing materials.

Slate roofing materials are fire proof, since they are made of stone, so they do not require the fire retardant of other materials such as cedar shake. They are also moss resistant, which can be a problem with other cedar or shingle roofs, causing them to deteriorate and lose their water resistant qualities.

Since they are stone, there is little maintenance required, with the only exception being if a tree branch hits the roof breaking some of the slates.

There are some options for those who are not able to afford slate roofing material but like the look that slate gives a home or office building. Metal roofing materials now come in a variety of different textures and patterns, one of which is a shingle that can look identical to slate. The benefit of metal slate roofing material is that it is lighter and is not as brittle, making it much easier to install.

In addition, the cost is average for roofing materials, a little above asphalt roofing material, but significantly lower than true slate roofing materials. Installation costs are also usually less since it does not require as much specialization to work with metal roofing material as slate.

Many people, when thinking about roofing material, think about traditional asphalt shingles or slate roofing material. These two roofing materials are really at two ends of a spectrum of roofing material choices that are on the market today, depending on the type of roof that is being redone.

For pitched roofs, there are cedar shakes, compositional shingles (asphalt), dimensional shingles, tile, metal, slate and synthetic. These are usually residential roofs or businesses in a high rain or snow climate.

For flat roofs, those that are under three inches rise to twelve inches run, there are other materials that are used, with a few overlaps.

Flat roofing material is usually tar and gravel, modified bitumen, roll, metal, and also EPDM rubber and PVC membrane roofing materials.

Strength and Value

EPDM or ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber roofing material costs more than asphalt roofing materials, but is an average price for the market.

This type of roofing material is applied to the flat roof in a single layer, rather than the multiple messy layers required for the more standard built-up roofs of tar and asphalt or modified bitumen.

In addition, the EPDM rubber roofing material lasts longer than those other roofing materials, usually five to ten years longer due to the durability of the rubber.

It is important to find a roofing contractor that is familiar with roofing with EPDM rubber roofing materials since it requires that a more rigid insulation is used in comparison to other types of roofs, such as metal, where the insulation is often included in the metal panels.

EPDM rubber roofing material is UV resistant, so it helps in hotter climates by deflecting some of the sun’s rays.

It is also more wind and hail resistant than the tar and asphalt and modified bitumen roofs, so it lasts longer without repairs in that way as well.

PVC membrane rubber roofing material, or polyvinyl chloride, is another heat deflecting roofing material. It costs about the same as the EPDM rubber roofing material and helps to save cost on air conditioning bills.

PVC membrane is also heated so that the seams are eliminated, thus making the material more weather resistant, adding to the life of the roofing material. These roofs usually last up to twenty-five to thirty years, depending on the installation.

Both of these types of rubber roofing material are sturdier and cleaner than the other types of flat roof materials, which is a benefit to construction teams, making it easier to install and clean up after it is finished.

Metal roofing material is gaining popularity in residential roofing, rather than only being found in commercial settings.

Part of the reason for this change is that metal roofing material has more options available in texture and types, varying from standing seam, which was so common in commercial settings, to tile and even shingle roofing material.

Metal roofing material is also flexible in the types of roofs that it can be used on, since it can be used on any pitch of roof, commonly used as pitched or flat roofing material, and is lightweight compared to other materials, making it much easier to work with, especially on steep pitched roofs.

Options

Metal roofing material’s cost is slightly more expensive but nearer to the sixty to one hundred dollars per square for asphalt roofing material than the six hundred to one thousand per square cost for slate roofing material, which is the most expensive on the market.

Although it is more expensive than asphalt roofing material, metal roofing material lasts longer than asphalt materials, often being under warrantee for up to fifty years.

Standing seam metal roofing material is the most commonly used, which connects the pieces side by side through hidden fasteners so that the entire roof looks like one piece of metal with ridges in it.

Tile metal roofing material can be of many different earthy colors and textures according to the design of the house, masking itself as the more brittle and heavier tile that is sometimes used on pitched roofs.

Shingle metal roofing material can come in any color and texture as well, even masking itself as cedar shake but without the fire hazard and need for fire-retardant treatment.

Metal roofing material can also be made of ‘cool metal’ which helps to deflect the sunlight in very hot climates, thus reducing the air conditioning bill for the consumer. In addition, it is usually made of up to twenty-five percent recycled metals, so it is more environmentally friendly than some of the other roofing materials.

Metal roofing materials are also recyclable, so that a panel can be taken from one project and used on another, thus reducing waste and cost.

Metal roofing material can also come insulated, so that the two metal sheets are filled with a liquid foam insulation that expands until it fills all possible space and then hardens so that it becomes a solid piece. This provides a uniform insulation across the top of the roof, which is better than other types of insulation that is used which sometimes leaves air gaps, letting out heat in the winter.