Uses and Types of Roof Shingles

Shingles are roof covering substances which consist of small but overlapping pieces of roof protection materials that are laid in a cascade formation to protect the roof from weather effects. Besides protection, good roof shingles are an important architectural consideration for any building. There are many types of roof shingles available in the market and choosing the type that best suits your needs can at times prove to be confusing.

Historically roofs were covered with wooden pieces laid in an overlapping formation for protection against snow, rain and other environmental agents. With the passage of time these wooden pieces were replaced with modern roof grits consisting of different synthetic materials that offer greater protection and can be produced economically. These shingles elements are typically flat rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof upwards. Each successive row of grits covers the shingle joints in the row below.

Shingles are available in various designs and materials like wood, slate, asbestos, asphalt, composite or ceramic. Following the description and intended use may help you make a better choice:

Wooden Shingles

These grits were historically used on many old buildings but their use has ever since decreased gradually due to increased requirement of fire protection. These days wooden shingles are only used to repair an old roof.

Slate, Cement and Clay Shingles

Most of these products are long lasting, designed to last 50 to 100 years but these are most expansive roof shingles available in the market. These silts are hard to install and require frequent maintenance. These generally weigh a lot more than other shingles thus a whole house must be constructed stronger if these shingles are to be installed.

Organic or Fiberglass Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt Shingles are the most common residential roofing materials used these days. Organic asphalt shingles consist of the base mat made from rags, wood and paper pulp which is saturated and coated with asphalt. On the other hand fiberglass-asphalt consists of the base mat made from glass fiber which is coated with asphalt. Fiberglass types also have a better fire rating than organic asphalt shingles. Both types of shingles offer 20 to 30 year warranty. A heavier shingle will offer a longer warranty period and will have longer life expectancy with proper ventilation. Fiberglass are more preferred in warmer climates as these tend to crack under severe cold weather conditions.

The choice between shingles is generally dependent upon aesthetics, durability, availability, and cost. No matter what type of shingle you choose, shingles are sold in “squares” with each square of shingles covers 100 square feet, or a 10′ x 10′ area. These are available in many colors and several shapes. Your choice may also depend upon the local building guidelines and the type of shingles used in the neighborhood.