Best Roofing Shingles

If you want to improve or repair your house’s roofing, there is a wide variety of roof shingles. There are many materials and styles available. Besides aesthetics, roof shingles have to ensure securing your roof against wind and water damage. It’s important that the shingles will last. Good quality shingles will be able to withstand the elements for 25 to 30 years.

Also, if you want to effect repairs to your roof yourself, you probably will want to match the existing design of your roof. We’ll take a glimpse at the various materials and schemes available, to make it easier to decide. We’ll also examine some of the safety measures that you can take when repairing or replacing shingles.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting roof shingles. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of roof shingles,

• See useful tips about that particular type of roof shingles,

• Read reviews of different types of roof shingles, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of roof shingles, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

There are at least 17 different types of roof shingles, but we’ll look at some of the most popular:

• Asphalt--Asphalt shingles are made from fiberglass together with asphalt and ceramic granules. But there are variations within this formula. There are three main types of asphalt shingles:

  • Single-layer (3-tab) shingles--These are made of fiberglass coated with mineral granules. They are the lightest and cheapest form of asphalt shingles.

  • Laminate (dimensional) shingles--These are made of two or more layers of fiberglass. This construction makes them more durable--they can last for over 30 years. They are usually 50% heavier than single-layer shingles and cost around 20% more. An alternative is Onduline’s Onduvilla shingles. They are made from recycled bitumen fibers that are fashioned to give a clay tile appearance. They still remain watertight, inexpensive, and eco-friendly.

  • Luxury (architectural) asphalt shingles--These are even more expensive than laminate shingles and are fashioned in a way so as to appear multi-dimensional. They are also the most durable asphalt shingles. Note: Architectural shingles should not be applied in a vertical racking pattern. It will cause cracks to develop along the seams of the shingles, which allows water penetration.

• Wood--These will weather over time but are popular for lending a natural appearance. Western Red Cedar Shingles offer a number of designs of wooden shingles.

• Slate--These can be made from natural or synthetic slate. Synthetic slate can be made of polymer, clay, rubber, or asphalt. An example is GAF’s Timberline Cool Series Antique Slate Shingles.

• Metal Roofing--This type of roofing is coated steel, copper, or aluminum strips. Metal shingles can reflect sunlight, so it can keep your house cooler in the summer.

• Foam closure strip: If there are gaps between the roof and the shingles, there is a distinct possibility that birds or insects will nest there. There are measures that you can take to ensure that the shingles that you apply won’t have any gaps in them. Asphalt shingles will use an adhesive that ensures that they overlap properly, without any gaps. Onduvilla has a foam closure strip that closes any gaps. You also employ screws to make sure that the shingles will be attached securely.

• Common mistakes: Experts say that the main mistakes when applying shingles are:

  • Too few screws: Not using enough screws, or applying the screws too high on the shingle. A shingle that isn’t secured properly may pull off the nails and fall off the roof over time.

  • Improper angle: Using shingles on roofs that are too flat. A roof should have a slope of 9.5-degrees or more to warrant using shingles. Shingles work best on a roof with an 18-degree pitch. When a roof is not sloped enough, water will collect on the roof, leading to water damage or seeping.

  • Improper overhang: The shingles that have over the edge of the roof should not extend more than 1.5 inches. If they overhang too much, they can break over time, leaving the roof vulnerable to leakage.

• Safe installation: If you decide to install the shingles yourself, you certainly want to ensure that you’re safe. Liner Lock advertises that their roofing offers non-slip foot traction, making it safer to install, even on steep sloping roofs and in windy weather. Their synthetic Roll Roofing Underlayment is an anti-slip foot surface that provides you traction and safety during installation. Also, there are products that anchor you to the roof when installing shingles. Super Anchor makes harnesses, self-retracting lifelines, rope grabs, and more accessories, to ensure that you are secure when applying or repairing shingles.

• UV resistance: There are also shingles and bonding that has a UV resistant, antioxidant protective layer. That ensures that your shingles will not suffer fastener point tears.

• Covering rate: An important number is the covering rate--how many shingles will you need to cover a given area. The Onduvilla PS752 and PS658 shingles will be able to cover 33 square feet with as few as 10 shingles.

• Exposure: There is also a figure called the "exposure" of the shingles. That is the amount of the width of the shingle that is exposed. Asphalt shingles will usually be applied with a 5" exposure. You may choose a 4", to make the roof more resistant to the rain. The more densely packed the shingles are, the more that they will protect your roof.

• Capitol City Lumber--was founded by James Anglin Nicholson in 1947. They are located in Raleigh, North Carolina. They supply hardwood, lumber, plywood, and other construction materials. Besides lumber, they also provide concrete, insulation, drapery products, and more.

• LinerLock--are located in Santa Ana, California. They manufacture building envelope products for both commercial and residential structures. Their products include roofing underlayment and house wrap that protects your home from wind and rain.

• Onduvilla--is a roofing system made by the company Onduline, who manufacture roofing and construction solutions. Onduline is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was established in 1948. Onduvilla is a roofing style for residential homes, with superior wind resistance.

• GAF--a branch of Standard Industries, was established in 1886 and is a leading roofing and waterproofing company in the United States. They make roofing products for both residential and commercial purposes, and also make ductwork, sheathing, siding, ornamental coatings, and more.