When replacing your home’s roof shingles, there are a few things to consider. Roof shingles are a significant investment in any home, so you will need to consider the costs to install, the type of roof shingles, the lifespan, and the impact rating. It’s also a good idea to consider roofing experts who can advise on what kind of shingles would work well for your home, location, and climate.
Here are the most common types of roof shingles homeowners choose to have installed on their homes:
Architectural shingles
Architectural shingles give off a sculpted look to the exterior of a home. It has an extra laminated layer, giving a contoured and designed look. Architectural shingles are slightly on the expensive side of the installation. Architectural shingles are perfect for this if you are looking for more of a designer and luxurious look for your roof.
Lifespan: 30 to 50 years
Cost to install: $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 3 or 4 shingles
Metal roof shingles
These shingles are also very stylish in appearance and come in many different colors to choose from. They are also easy to install, lightweight, and excellent for homes that cannot support heavier roof options. You can find metal roofing in the form of sheet panels too. Metal roofing materials include copper roof shingles, steel roofing, zinc, and tin metal roofs.
Lifespan: 75 to 100 years
Cost to install: $5.25 to $12.50 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 4 shingles
3 Tab Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roofing is the most affordable on the market as far as installation goes, and they are also the most common type of roof replacement that homeowners choose. 3-tab asphalt shingles are thinner, have an organic-mat paper base, and wear out faster than fiberglass or architectural shingles. Due to frequent hailstorms in North America, impact-resistant shingles, or IR shingles, are the most commonly sought after. These asphalt shingles are at Class 4, the highest level of impact resistance.
Lifespan: 15 to 30 years
Cost to install: $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 4 shingles
Wood shingled roofs
These shingles are made from different types of wood that are split into thin sections. Regarding style options, wooden roofs can be found in either wood shake or wood shingles. The difference between these two designs is that wood shake is sawn off and hand-split for a more rustic look, whereas wood shingles are cut into perfect shapes.
Lifespan: 15 to 50 years
Cost to install: $4.25 to $9.50 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 3 and 4 shingles
Wood shake roofs
They are made chiefly from cedar, from cedar trees between 200 and 300 years old. These shingles are made from splitting logs into sections known as shakes, which gives the shingles their unique classic, rough and rustic look. They are also known to last much longer than asphalt shingles, and wood shake is much more expensive than wood shingles.
Lifespan: 30 to 40 years
Cost to install: $6 to $10 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 3 shingles
Solar shingles
Another popular choice among homeowners is solar shingles. They are undeniably more expensive than other roofing options, but they do more than keep the rainwater and harsh sunlight out of your house. Solar shingles are also designed to generate electricity to power up your home. Today’s solar shingles are also pleasing, but you don’t necessarily need to install solar shingles throughout your roof. Solar shingles work the best when you install them on the south side of your roof for optimal sunshine.
Lifespan: 20 to 25 years
Cost to install: $21 to $25 per square foot
Impact rating: Can be found in Class 1 to 4 shingles
Slate tile roofing shingles
These are stone roofing material that is installed as a shingle. Slate shingles are thin but heavy, and it also has a natural beauty to them, making them a sought after type of shingle for those looking for a modern yet rustic look. However, you can’t find slate shingles in various options as they don’t vary much in color or looks. These slates are also more challenging to install but are the longest-lasting roof options. They are also costly to install, but with a longer lifetime, they are worth the cost.
Lifespan: 60 to 150 years
Cost to install: $8 to $14 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 4 shingles
Rubber Roof Shingles
These shingles are quite a unique choice for homeowners. Rubber is formed into shingles that look very similar to asphalt shingles. However, rubber shingles are much easier to install and do not require much maintenance. On the other hand, rubber shingles are slightly more expensive. Rubber shingles are a great option if you’re looking to save money on utility and energy bills. The most affordable rubber roofs are TPO, PVC, and EPDM roofs.
Lifespan: 15 to 25 years
Cost to install: $4 to $8.25 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 3 shingles
Tile Roofing Shingles
One of the most durable roofing shingles in the industry, tile roofing shingles need to be installed appropriately for them to be durable and long-lasting. These tiles are not very expensive to purchase, depending on the type you choose. However, the cost of installation is high. Installing tile roofing requires strengthening your roof, which will incur more charges. The roof needs to be strengthened to handle the weight of the new tiles before installation. There are different types of roofing tiles, with the most common ones being bituminous tiles, ceramic clay tiles, composite tiles, metal tiles, polymer, and stone slate tiles.
Lifespan: 100 years
Cost to install: $4 to $16 per square foot
Impact rating: Class 4 shingles
It would help if you knew how high you can go with your roofing installation and what type works best for you. If you are in an area that regularly experiences hailstorms, you need to look for roofing with class 4 category shingles.
