The best mid-range roofing shingles for Northern Colorado are Class-3 impact rated and are warrantied against 110mph winds or stronger. If you’re shopping for a shingle roof that’s a step-up from budget, consider the following 7 from top manufacturers in the U.S. These include Owens Corning, Tamko, GAF, CertainTeed, and IKO. All of these shingles we regularly install and recommend. Need a professional roofing company in Northern Colorado to install your new mid-range roofing shingles? Contact us for a free estimate.
Quick Answer to Best Mid-Range Shingles: Owens Corning Duration and Duration Designer, Tamko’s TitanXT, GAF’s Timberline HDZ, CertainTeed’s Landmark and Landmark Pro, and IKO’s Dynasty. These are Class-3 impact rated and offer a decent wind warranty.
Owens Corning’s Best Mid-Range Roofing Shingles
TruDefinition Duration and Duration Designer
TruDefinition Duration and Duration Designer roofing shingles by Owens Corning are among the most popular we install. These mid-range shingles are perfectly situated between OC’s budget-friendly Oakridge and their high-end Storm and Flex shingles. Owens Corning is a trusted name in the roofing industry and they consistently produce reliable shingles for our customers.
Both the Duration and Duration Designer shingle lines are Class-3 impact rated. If you live in a part of Northern Colorado that gets mild to moderately-sized hail, these laminated architectural shingles are a good fit for you. Both are also wind rated up to 130mph and come with OC’s SureNail technology – that’s the nailing zone that helps hold your new shingles down during strong winds. Both also come with a limited lifetime warranty and are Consumer Reports Recommended.
Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration shingles in Shasta White
Tamko’s Best Mid-Range Roofing Shingle
Titan XT
Another great asphalt roofing shingle that fits in between budget and high-end is Tamko’s Titan XT. Tamko is one of the most reputable asphalt shingle manufacturers in the U.S. and we’re proud to offer them. Their Titan XT is Class-3 impact rated and wind rated up to 160mph. They also come with a limited lifetime warranty.
People find Tamko’s color blends highly attractive, such as their Mountain Slate, which includes browns and grays, and which includes browns and greens. Classic colors are also available, such as antique slate and olde english pewter. If you’re looking for a dependable mid-range roofing shingle, ask us if Tamko’s Titan XT is right for you.
Tamko roofing shingles
GAF’s Best Mid-Range Shingle
Timberline HDZ
Timberline HDZ from GAF is one of America’s most popular mid-range roofing shingle. It’s no wonder it’s Consumer Reports Recommended. GAF is a leading roofing manufacturer in the U.S., one we’re proud to offer. Their best mid-range asphalt roofing shingle is Class-F and H wind rated at 110/150mph and Class-3 impact rated. These proven shingles come with GAF’s WindProven Limited Wind Warranty and their DuraGrip Adhesive, which helps protect your roof from wind and driving rain. Another trustworthy mid-range roofing shingle worth your consideration.
Unsure which mid-range roofing shingle to get? Contact us for a free chat.
CertainTeed is another trusted roofing shingle manufacturer. Their popular Landmark and Landmark Pro asphalt roofing shingles sit squarely in our best mid-range roofing shingle list and is among their best-selling shingles, and ones we regularly install. CertainTeed’s Landmark and Landmark Pro shingles are Class-3 impact resistant and comes with a 15-year 110mph wind-resistance warranty. An optional 130mph wind warranty upgrade is available. If you’re looking for a solid shingle performer, look at CertainTeed.
IKO’s Best Mid-Range Shingle
Dynasty
IKO’s Dynasty shingles are a solid mid-range roofing shingle. They offer a good wind resistance warranty at 130mph and are Class-3 impact rated. This high-performing roofing shingle provides peace of mind to the weather-conscious homeowner. Consider IKO’s Dynasty shingles if you live in a part of Northern Colorado that gets mild to moderate wind or hail.
The Bottom Line
Mid-range roofing shingles often come with only a Class-3 impact rating and a 110mph wind warranty. Although this isn’t the best impact rating, it’s often good enough for many Coloradans. Rarely does most of Colorado get winds stronger than 110mph. If you live in a part of Northern Colorado that doesn’t get pounded by hail or strong winds, the above mentioned shingles should serve you well. All of these shingles are very popular in Northern Colorado.
Mid-Range Roofing Shingle Installation
Need a professional roofing company in Northern Colorado to install your new mid-range roofing shingles? Contact us for a free estimate.
Workmanship Guaranteed – We offer a 5-year workmanship guarantee on all new roof installations in Northern Colorado. This includes mid-range roofing shingles.
Experienced – We come with over 40 years experience installing shingles in Northern Colorado.
Competitive Pricing – We’re a big enough roofing company that we buy in bulk from our supplies. This saves us a little money. We pass this savings onto you.
Preferred and Certified – We’ve a Preferred Contractor of Owens Corning and CertainTeed, and a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor.
If you need the best budget asphalt roofing shingles for your Colorado home, you’re in luck, as here are 3 options to consider. We carry reliable brands such as Owens Corning, Tamko, and IKO. 3-tab/strip shingles are hard to find these days, so we recommend architectural/dimensional shingles. Most architectural/dimensional shingles come with better warranties, and last longer since they’re also more durable. You also have more options when it comes with architectural/dimensional shingles as more manufacturers offer them.
The purpose of budget-friendly roofing shingles is to get a roof over your head for as little money as possible. Affordable shingles such as these should not be considered hail resistant. If you live in a part of Northern Colorado that gets hail, you should consider a mid-price range shingle.
IKO’s Cambridge
Tamko’s Heritage
Owens Corning’s Oakridge
3 Best Budget Roofing Shingles
Owens Corning Oakridge
Tamko’s Heritage
IKO’s Cambridge
Owens Corning’s Oakridge
Owens Corning has been a reputable asphalt roofing shingle manufacturer for us. They produce roofing shingles we regularly rely on and recommend to our customers. One of the best budget asphalt roofing shingles is their Oakridge shingle line. It’s a step-up from 3-tab/strip shingles and comes with a 110/130mph wind warranty.
These shingles also come with a limited lifetime warranty. They’re also available in 7 colors, such as Onyx Black, Desert Tan, and Driftwood. Owens Corning Oakridge shingles are popular among those looking for a budget-friendly roof. If you need an affordable shingle roof, start with Owens Corning’s Oakridge.
Tamko’s Heritage
Tamko is another shingle manufacturer that produces reliable products. Another affordable asphalt shingle is their Heritage shingle line. These budget shingles are Class-A fire-rated, and offer good resistance to upward wind forces and tears thanks to their 110/115mph wind warranty. Tamko’s heritage shingles react well to moderate hail impacts. If you’re looking for a Consumer Reports Recommended budget roof, consider Tamko’s Heritage.
IKO’s Cambridge
Another budget-friendly shingle roof is IKO’s Cambridge shingle line. These affordable roofing shingles come with a limited wind warranty of up to 110mph. They also come with a Class-A fire resistance rating. IKO’s Cambridge shingles are popular among those looking for an affordable yet reliable roof. IKO is known for producing quality products you can trust.
Unsure which budget-friendly asphalt roofing shingles are right for you? Contact us for a free chat.
Low-Cost Long-Term
It’s important to keep in mind that a long-lasting shingle often costs less than a cheap shingle in the long run. A cheap shingle will probably only last 15 years at the most if professionally installed. While a Class-4, 130mph wind shingle will probably last 20-25 years if professionally installed and regularly maintained. That Class-4 shingle doesn’t cost much more than the cheap shingle, yet lasts a lot longer.
Even longer-lasting shingles are steel shingles. These cost more initially than traditional asphalt shingle. However, because they last so much longer than traditional shingles, they often cost less in the long run. And, you’re being inconvenienced much less frequently with the reroofing process with steel shingles.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best budget asphalt roofing shingle for your home in Colorado, Owens Corning’s Oakridge, Tamko’s Heritage, and IKO’s Cambridge shingles are great options. Keep in mind, the best budget asphalt roofing shingle for Colorado might not be the one that’s the least expensive initially, but the one that lasts the longest. A longer-lasting shingle often costs less in the long run. 😊
Budget Asphalt Roofing Shingles Installation
Need a professional roofing company in Northern Colorado to install the best budget asphalt roofing shingles for you? Contact us for a free, no-obligation roofing estimate.
Guaranteed – Regardless of whether we install budget roofing shingles for you or luxury shingles, all our work comes with a 5-year workmanship guarantee.
Competitive Pricing – We often buy in bulk. Therefore, we often get discounts. We pass this savings on to you – our loyal customers.
Experience – We’re not the new kids on the block. We have over 40 years experience installing asphalt shingle roofs in Colorado.
Preferred – We are a Preferred Contractor of Owens Corning and CertainTeed, and a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor.
No Money Down – Being a professional roofing company in Northern Colorado, we don’t require a deposit to get started. We only ask for a payment from you once you’re 100% satisfied with your new budget shingle roof installation.
Did your roof fare the recently high winds? NWSBoulder recently reported wind gusts up to 80mph in wind-prone areas in the Colorado foothills. Is there any damage to your roof? Do you know what to look for? Before the next rain, hail, or high wind storm, you’ll want to have a look at your roof to make sure it’s ready, and fix any damages. If you don’t feel like getting on your roof, we don’t blame you. That’s why we offer free roof inspections in Colorado. Some signs of roof damage are obvious. However, some aren’t. Below are things to look for. If you’d rather, contact us for a free roof inspection.
loose asphalt shingles blowing in the wind
What to Check For
Damaged Roofing Material
Loose Roofing Material
Missing Roofing Material
Fallen Tree Branches
Accumulated Debris
Damaged Flashing
Missing Flashing
Bent Roofing Material
Bent Flashing
Damaged Gutters
Damaged Roofing Material
During high winds, roofing material, such as asphalt shingles or flashing, can bend. If you notice bent asphalt shingles or sheet metal, you’ll want to get that damaged material repaired and secured back down before the next high wind storm or rain storm. Otherwise, it will only get worse and cause more damage. Fallen tree branches can also damage roofs. Depending upon the size of the branch, it can puncture your roof or damage flashing. Punctured or bent roofing material often results in a water leak. It’s in your best interest if you straighten and re-seal that roofing material right away.
torn asphalt shingles in need of repair
Loose Roofing Material
Loose roofing material is sometimes obvious. Sometimes it’s still on your roof, but not in place. However, sometimes it’s hard to notice. Sometimes you have to gently see if you can pick-up the material to see if it’s loose. If you can get your finger under the material, it’s loose and in need of repair. You should secure it back down right away. Otherwise, loose roofing will only loosen more in the next high wind or cause a water leak in the next rain storm. Depending upon what the material is, you might secure it down with a nail or screw, or construction sealant.
loose asphalt shingles in need repair
Missing Roofing Material
Missing roofing material in Colorado, such as missing asphalt shingles, sheet metal, or tiles leave your roof vulnerable. Your roof covering, such as asphalt shingles, are your roof’s first line of defense against rain, hail, ultraviolet rays, wind, etc. Without it, your roof will quickly deteriorate and leak. That’s why it’s important to replace any roofing material right away. Sometimes missing roofing material is obvious from the ground. However, you might need to get on your roof to get a better look. If you are missing any shingles or flashing or sheet metal, get it replaced. You can often get scrap roofing material from your local Habit ReStore. If not, feel free to contact us for a free roof inspection and estimate in Colorado. No roof job is too big or too small for us. 🙂
missing asphalt shingles needs replacing
Fallen Tree Branches
Fallen tree branches are common after wind storms in Colorado. Large tree branches on your roof often cause major damage in the form of holes in your roof covering, cracked or broken shingles or tiles, and unsealed roofing material. Small tree branches on your roof can also cause damage. Small branches on your roof can cause the granules on your asphalt shingle roof to rub off. They also invite pests, such as insects, to make a home on your roof. If left for a long time, branches can rot on your roof and cause more problems. If you notice tree branches on your roof, you’ll want to remove them as soon as possible to prevent further roof damage in Colorado.
Accumulated Debris
Strong winds often shake loose pine needles and leaves, only to fall and collect onto your roof. If these are left on your roof, they build-up and begine to rot and decay. This pile of rotting leaves is inviting to insects and birds, as well as rot and mold. Debris left on your roof to decay will only degrade your roof quicker. As soon as possible, you should clean your roof of any debris. If you’re undercomfortable doing so, search on-line for a gutter cleaning service. Often, they will not only clean your gutters, but also remove any leaves and branches on your roof.
debris on roof in need of removal
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the sheet metal around stovepipes, chinmeys, vents, and around your roof’s edge. Sometimes during strong winds, flashing gets damaged or unsealed. If you find any damaged flashing on your roof, be sure to seal it before the next rain or wind storm. Be sure to repair damaged flashing as soon as possible. Flat head nails and construction sealant work great for this. Torn flashing might need replacing. If you notice you have any damaged flashing, feel free to contact us for a free inspection and estimate. No roofing job is too big or too small for us. Honestly.
unsealed flashing needs sealing
Missing Flashing
Missing flashing, just like any missing roofing material, is a serious problem. Flashing goes under your roof covering, such as asphalt shingles, and around vents, such as chimneys and vents. It’s also found along the roof edge. Flashing is there to help redirect water away from your roof. If it’s missing, water can easily get onto your roof deck and cause costly problems. If the wind has torn away any flashing from your roof, contact us for a free roof repair estimate.
Damaged Gutters
Roofs aren’t the only thing damaged by high winds. Gutters are also susceptible to damage. Strong winds can tear gutters away from your house. Falling tree branches can damage gutters. Gutters and downspouts help to redirect water away from your roof and property. If they’re damaged, they might not be able to do their job effectively. If your gutters have been damaged by high winds or fallen tree branches, you’ll want to get them fixed right away. Not only do we repair roofs, we also repair or replace gutters. If your gutter is damaged, feel free to contact us for a free inspection and estimate.
a damaged gutter in fort collins in need of repair
Short Answer: In Colorado, the best roofs that help keep your house cool are standing seam, corrugated/PBC, and clay tiles. Keep reading to learn more.
With the climate getting warmer in most parts of the country, you might be wondering what you can do to help keep your house cool when it’s hot outside. Energy efficient windows definitely help. Closing your blinds or curtains as soon as the sun comes-up is a good idea. This helps keep the sunshine out, which translates to keeping some heat out. You should also make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic.
Folks forget about their roof, however. Most commercial buildings have been enjoying the cooling effects of their roofs for some time, since their single-ply membranes are often white, which reflects heat away. But what about those with steep sloped roofs, such as those on your house? Roofs that keep a house cool are often either composed of a light-colored material, such as the granules on shingles, or are painted a light color, such as some metal roofing.
So what’s a roof that helps cool your house? Below are Energy Star rated and/or Cool Roofing Rating Council (CRRC) approved roofing materials that we provide. These will help to cool your house when it’s hot outside.
Metal
Standing seam and corrugated sheet metal are the coolest roofing materials for Colorado. If you’re looking for the roof that cools your home the most, these are it. This is because they reflect more solar radiation than any other roofing material. If you don’t like the sheet metal look and prefer something more traditional, consider Westlake Royal Roofing’s Barrel-Vault stone-coated metal tiles in Dover White. These white tiles don’t reflect as much solar radiation as sheet metal, but they reflect way more than traditional asphalt shingles. If you’re looking for a roof that not only helps to cool your home, but also stands-up to hail and high-winds, and lasts the longest, metal roofing is what you want.
As with any energy efficient home, make sure you have adequate insulation, and energy efficient windows. A lot goes into an energy-efficient home. A metal roof reflects heat away from your home, which helps to reduce your utility bill in the warm Summer months. As our climate is getting warmer, this is becoming more important. Oddly enough, the color of your new metal roof doesn’t have to be a highly reflective color, such as white or galvanized :-).
Clay roofing tiles are a natural ‘cool’ roofing product simply because they breathe. The material itself is porous which allows air to move through them. The space beneath the tiles also let warm air move up your roof and out through the ridge cap at the top. All the while letting rain or melted snow flow over the top of your clay tiles safely to your gutters. Boral Roofing makes several clay tiles that are CRRC approved.
Romano Pans trace their roots to the ancient Greeks with their alternating flat panels and half-barrels. The classic barrel 1-piece ‘S’ Tile. ClayMax is Westlake Royal Roofing’s lightweight low-profile barrel tile. ClayLite designed especially for re-roofing. 2-Piece Mission barrel tiles that dates back to the Bronze Age. 2-Piece Monarch authentic Mediterranean style with its small-barrel and high-arch.
New clay roofing tile. Courtesy Westlake Royal Roofing
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles, even ones that are Cool Roof Rating Council approved, do the least to cool your home. This is because they reflect the least amount of solar radiation. Asphalt shingles have an initial solar reflectance of .25, and 3-year aged solar reflectance of .15. The closer to 1, the better. Sheet metal, on the other hand, has an average solar reflectance of .67 and a heat emissivity of .85.
NOTE: Some asphalt roofing shingles aren’t available to everyone, everywhere in the country. When visiting the links below, be sure to enter your ZIP code to see if that particular shingle is available in your area. If a shingle manufacturer states a shingle isn’t available to you, you may have to find a different supplier, if you really want that particular shingle.
Owens Corning
Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing product, so we’ll start with those. Of those, Owens Corning is the most popular asphalt shingle manufacturer, and they are currently the only asphalt shingle manufacturer that offer cool roofing shingle options. They offer 3 shingles at 3 price points that are Energy Star rated – Supreme, Oakridge, and TruDefinition Duration.
Their most affordable ‘cool roof’ asphalt shingle is their Supreme. This is a 3-tab shingle with a 25-year limited warranty and wind rated at no more than 60 mph. If cost is your most important factor in choosing a cool roof, Owens Corning’s Supreme shingles are a good choice. Next up is Owens’ Oakridge. These are architectural shingles with a limited lifetime warranty and a 110/130 mph wind rating. If you can afford to spend a little more, these are a better shingle. Lastly, their TruDefinition Duration is their best Energy Star shingle. It includes the same features their Oakridge has, plus Owens’ SureNail technology, which helps the installer secure each shingle to your roof faster, and helps keep the shingles down during high winds. All 3 of these are only available in their ‘Shasta White’.
CertainTeed
CertainTeed is another a well respected shingle manufacturer that we carry. They offer two ‘cool roof’ asphalt shingles. Their Presidential Solaris® is designed to resemble wood shake, has a UL Class A fire resistance rating, offers a Lifetime limited transferable warranty, and a 15-year 110 mph wind-resistance warranty (upgradable to 130 mph).
Landmark Solaris® is the cool roof version of CertainTeed’s popular Landmark shingle. It, too, has a UL Class A fire resistant, offers a Lifetime limited transferable warranty, and a 15-year 110 mph wind-resistance warranty (upgradable to 130 mph).
At the time of this writing, CertainTeed’s cool roofing products were not available in Northern Colorado. Be sure to check on their website if either of these Energy Rated roofing products are available in your area.
GAF
Another popular asphalt shingle manufacturer is GAF. They offer a solid product with a great warranty. GAF currently offers 3 cool roof asphalt shingle products – their Timberline HD in white, Royal Sovereign® in white, and their Timberline Cool Series Antique Slate, Barkwood, Weathered Wood
Tamko
Although less expensive than Owens Corning, TAMKO still makes a great asphalt roofing shingle. They offer 2 that are Cool Roof Rating Council approved – their lesser expensive 3-tab shingle Elite Glass-Seal 3-tab in white or glacier white and their laminated Heritage in Glacier White. Check Tamko’s website or ask us for available in your area.
Cool Roof Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the coolest roof, go with standing seam or corrugated sheet metal. Metal roofing is also the most durable and longest-lasting. Whatever your style or budget, there’s a cool roof option for you, be it asphalt shingles, metal sheets, or clay tiles. If your roof is ready to be replaced, now is a great time to consider a ‘cool roof’ option.
As of the time of this writing, only 3 of the above manufacturers offer Energy Star Rated or Cool Roofing Rating Council (CRRC) approved roofing products in our area (Front Range, Colorado) – Owens Corning, Flatiron Steel, and Westlake Royal Roofing. That said, do keep an eye on the others, as they may offer their cool roof products in your area. What to know what the coolest roofing material is for Colorado?
You need a new roof and you’re considering the longer-lasting, more durable stone-coated metal shingles over traditional asphalt shingles. Smart move. There are many advantages to asphalt shingles, cost and availability being two of them. However, there are a few advantages to stone-coated metal shingles you should seriously consider. When it comes to stone-coated metal shingles vs asphalt shingles, it’s important to keep longevity in mind.
Quick Answer: Stone-coated metal shingles are more durable and last longer than traditional asphalt shingles. As a result, although they cost more initially, they often cost less long-term. Metal shingles are also recyclable, unlike asphalt shingles.
At a Glance
Metal Shingles
Pros
✅ Long Lifespan at 70+ Years ✅ More Resistant/Durable to Fire, Wind, Hail, Mold ✅ Low Cost Long-Term ✅ Recyclable in Our Area
Cons
❌ High Cost, Initially ❌ Fewer Color Options ❌ Limited Access ❌ Takes Longer to Install
Asphalt Shingles
Pros
✅ Initial Low Cost ✅ Quick to Install ✅ More Colors Options ✅ Multiple Manufacturers to Choose From ✅ Flexible ✅ Quick Access
Cons
❌ Short Lifespan at Between 15-20 Years ❌ Not as Durable ❌ High Long-Term Cost ❌ Not Recyclable in Our Area
Advantages of Asphalt Shingles
Cost – The big advantage to asphalt shingles over stone-coated metal shingles is cost. They cost less to purchase and install. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive steep slope roofing material, at around $3.40/sqft. for your average, mid-grade shingles. Stone-coated metal shingles, on the other hand, cost around $9.50/sf. Tear-off of previous roof costs extra.
Installation – Asphalt shingles are quicker to install. Professional installers use a nail gun to install asphalt shingles, and it literally takes about 1 second to nail one shingle down. Cutting an asphalt shingle requires nothing more than a common utility knife, which easily fits into one’s pocket and takes half a second to cut an asphalt shingle. Traditional roofing shingles are more flexible than metal roofing shingles. Our installers carry a utility knife with them that easily fits into their pocket to quickly cut asphalt shingles while on the roof. This helps to make installation quicker.
Colors – Asphalt shingles offer more colors to choose from, compared to stone-coated metal shingles. Although this is quickly changing. Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration shingles alone come in 13 different colors. CertainTeed’s XT™ 25 3-tab shingles are offered in 20 colors!
Availability – Today, there are multiple asphalt shingle manufacturers to choose from, including Owens Corning, Tamko, GAF, CertainTeed, Malarkey, and IKO, just to name a few.
Accessibility – Easy access. You can walk into any Lowe’s or Home Depot, or just about any other hardware store, and purchase asphalt shingles. There are probably asphalt shingles at your local used building supply company, such as Uncle Benny’s Building Supplies or Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Solar Panel-Friendly – Asphalt shingles are solar-panel-friendly. Most solar panel installers prefer asphalt shingles over stone-coated metal shingles. If you have metal shingles, they can work with them, however.
Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingles
Recyclability – Although Owens Corning has a shingle recycling program, there is not an asphalt shingle recycling center anywhere in our area 🙁 The closest company we found that accepts old asphalt shingles for recycling is in Kansas. As a result, all torn-off shingles in Northern Colorado get buried in the local landfills. This is a big problem.
Short Lifespan – Another big problem is that asphalt shingles don’t last last as long as stone-coated metal shingles, or any metal roofing, for that matter. Your common, average architectural asphalt shingles last around 30 years. 3-tab shingles, 15-20 years. Stone-coated metal shingles, on the other hand, easily last more than twice this long – 50-70 years or more.
close-up of the underside of a stone-coated metal shake
Advantages of Metal Shingles or Shake
Lifespan – They last longer. Although steel shingles are often warrantied at only 50 years, they frequently last longer than this – about 70 years or more. This is key to most folks when they compare stone-coated metal shingles vs asphalt shingles.
Durable – Stone-coated metal shingles are more resistant to hail. In fact, Decra, one of our suppliers, shot their metal shingles with an ice cannon and it barely dented it 🙂
Recyclable – They are recycled in our area! We recently contacted Colorado Iron and Metal in Fort Collins, and they said they take all sorts of metal, including steel shingles 🙂
Appearance – Stone-coated metal shingles better imitate other roofing materials, such as shake and tile, and, oddly enough, asphalt shingles. Decra offers a barrel-style metal shingle, a scalloped Mediterranean tile metal shingle, a heavy-cut wood look-a-like metal shingle, a hand-split wood shake metal shingle, and a cedar shake metal shingle. Boral offers 5 metal shingle profiles including wood shake, traditional asphalt shingle, a high-profile asphalt shingle, a barrel shingle, and a Mediterranean tile metal shingle.
stone-coated metal shake. Courtesy Boral Roofing
Disadvantages of Metal Shingles or Shake
Cost – Stone-coated steel shingles cost around 3 times as much as 30-year traditional shingles due to the fact that metal shingles require the underlayment be upgraded, and it simply takes more time to install steel shingles. Installation time is another disadvantage of metal shingles. As just mentioned, it takes longer to install the metal shingles, especially the detail work, such as trimming the steel shingles at the edges, ridges and valleys, and vents of a roof. To cut asphalt shingles, a common utility knife works fine. To cut steel shingles, special tools, such as a stone-coat cutter, is required.
Availability – Unlike asphalt shingles, stone-coated metal shingles aren’t (yet) available at your local hardware store. If you want to purchase and install stone-coated steel shingles yourself, the closest location we’ve found is a Menards in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they only have one color and style to choose from, and it’s not in stock. We’re noticing, as wood shake roofs are wearing-out, homeowners and office owners are requesting stone-coated metal shingles. As a result, steel shingles are gaining in popularity.
Colors – Steel shingles don’t have the color options, yet, of traditional shingles. Decra’s Tile steel shingles come in a whopping 8 colors, which isn’t bad but doesn’t quite compare to traditional shingles much wider variety of color choices. Boral Steel’s Barrel-Vault also comes in 8 colors. Other profiles come in fewer colors.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to stone-coated steel shingles vs traditional shingles, there are pros and cons to each. If you’re tired of replacing your roof every 15 to 25 years, and want a roof that lasts longer and don’t mind spending more for it initially, stone-coated metal shingles is the roof for you.
Strong winds recently came tearing through your neighborhood and you’re wondering how your roof did. Wind is nothing to take lightly. The wind can knock down tree branches, blow over fences, relocate patio furniture, break windows, and more. And, they can damage your roof. Here in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming, we get strong winds. Especially in the Fall and Spring. And believe it or not, high winds can damage a roof.
So, what does wind roof damage look like? How do you protect your roof from roof-damaging winds? Is this type of roof damage covered by your insurance? Below are answers to these questions and more.
Short Answer: You know your roof has wind damage if roofing material is loose or is missing. Have your roof inspected by us if you are unsure. Inspections are free.
What is Roof Wind Damage?
Roof wind damage is when the wind loosens or completely tears off pieces of roofing material, such as asphalt shingles. When the wind tears off roofing material, it leaves the roof deck exposed to rain, U.V. radiation, fire, and further damage. Asphalt shingles are not the only roofing material that’s vulnerable to wind damage. Actually, with strong enough winds, any roofing material is susceptible to wind damage. However, wood shake and asphalt singles are the most susceptible.
What Does a Wind Damaged Roof Look Like?
Here are a few photos during a high wind day in Fort Collins, Colorado. As you can see, some shingles have been completely torn off. Others are loose, flapping in the wind, and about to be torn off. The high wind even torn off sheet metal from a roof. Not all roof wind damage is apparent. Those loose shingle flapping in the wind, once the wind dies-down, those shingles will lay flat, again, and you won’t be able to tell from the ground that they’re loose.
missing roofing shinglesasphalt shingles blowing in the windasphalt shingle roof with wind damage, missing shingles
This is why, if you can, you should take a look at your roof during a windy day – so you can see if there’s any loose roofing material. Then, once the wind dies-down, you can get up and secure the material back down again. If you are uncertain if you have wind damage, or do but do not want to get onto your roof, you’re in luck. We offer free roof inspections and estimates. Without any charge to you, we will let you know if we see any damage. What’s more, if we do see any damage, we will provide a no-obligation estimate, should you choose to hire to fix your roof.
How to Tell if Your Roof Has Wind Damage
Sometimes roof wind damage is obvious, such as when the roof material is missing. If asphalt shingles aren’t properly fastened, strong winds can easily pull them up, and possibly remove them. The same goes for metal shingles, metal sheets, tile and shake. Although, even if the roof is properly fastened, a strong enough wind can cause uplift or suction and loosen or pull the roofing material right off.
Sometimes roof wind damage is not obvious, however. Sometimes the wind breaks the seal between the roofing material and flashing, but leaves the material in place. This is rather common. From the ground, you can’t tell that the seal beneath the shingles, or between the shingles and flashing is broken. This type of damage isn’t an emergency, but those shingles should be nailed back down so they aren’t torn off in the next high wind day. Delaying fixing your roof could result in bigger, costlier repairs.
How Do You Prevent Wind Damage?
As they say, the best defense, is a good offense, and that starts with a high wind resistant roofing material. Given that, even the best wind resistant roof, if installed incorrectly, can be damaged by wind. So, it’s important that your roof also be installed correctly.
Which Roofing Materials Withstand High Winds the Best?
Metal
Metal roofing resists high winds the best. When installed correctly, a metal roof is an excellent wind resistant material. The metal sheets are often large, so there are fewer opportunities for wind to get under the material. The sheets of a standing seem metal roof are tightly locked together. Exposed fastener metal roofing sheets are screwed down where the sheets overlap. Screws are a superior fastener to nails. Stone-coated metal shingles are also very effective against high winds. Again, because they are fastened down with screws.
Note: Wind-driven debris, such as tree branches or lawn furniture, if large enough or driven by enough force, can puncture any of the above high wind resistant roofing materials.
Tiles
Slate, concrete, and clay tiles are also excellent wind resistant roofing materials primarily due to their weight. On average, depending upon the dimensions and thickness of the specific slate tiles, weigh between 5 and 11 lbs per square foot. It should be noted that, if wind blown debris, such as tree branches, land on your tile roof, there’s a good chance your tile(s) will crack or break from the impact. Also, due to the number of seams, joints, and opportunities for wind to get under tile, it’s not as secure or wind-resistant as metal.
Asphalt Shingles
High wind resistant asphalt shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Duration series, have exceptional wind resistance thanks to their SureNail technology. When installed properly, high wind resistant shingles such as these are rated up to 130mph winds. Like tile, asphalt shingles are not as high wind resistant as metal roofing.
How to Fix a Wind Damaged Roof
If the material hasn’t been damaged, it simply needs to be secured back down. A little construction adhesive works great for securing asphalt shingles back down. If the roofing material has been damaged, it should be replaced. Don’t forget, start at the bottom of the affected area and work your way up, so the top roofing material lays on top of the bottom one. When in doubt or unsure, contact your local roofing professional.
What Wind Speeds Cause Roof Damage?
Winds 45-60mph can loosen old or inferior shingles, maybe even remove them. Winds 60mph or stronger can cause damage to your roof, including tearing off shingles. Your basic, least expensive asphalt roofing shingles are designed to protect your roof against winds up to 60mph.
wind uplift creating suction and pulling roofing material off
How can wind remove shingles, tile, or metal roofing? By getting underneath it if the roofing material has space between it and the roof deck, if it’s already loose, or by uplift. Uplift is when wind hits the side your house and continues over the top. The space created between the moving wind and the roof creates suction. This suction pulls weak roof materials off.
The Bottom Line
High winds are nothing to take lightly. They can cause serious problems. If you can, take a look at your roof while the wind is blowing and see if you spot any roofing material being lifted-up by the wind, and make a note of it. Once the wind has died-down, be sure to get that loose roofing material fixed, either by yourself, or a roofing professional, before more costly damage is done.
If loose roofing material is not secured back down, it might tear off in the next wind storm. If that happens, it might hit someone or something, resulting in serious injury or property damage. To your home, that now removed roofing material exposes your roof deck to rain, snow, sun, insects, birds, etc. If rain gets past the roof felt, it can destroy the roof deck. Once past the deck, electrical shorts and fires can happen, as well as mold and rot. The problems continue, the longer a damaged roof is ignored.
When we offer free inspections, you really do have nothing to loose. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate.
Your roof is worn-out and you’re shopping around for new shingles. You’re comparing impact resistant shingles versus non-impact resistant shingles and you’re wondering if they are worth the additional cost. You know you’ve gotten hit by hail in the past, but they’ve never really caused my damaged, so why bother? Below, we cover what they are, if they’re worth the additional cost, how much more they cost, and what the advantage is.
Quick Answer: Since impact resistant shingles are more resistant to hail and last longer, we feel they are worth the additional cost. What’s more, they are more hail and wind resistant, have better warranties, most insurance companies offer a discount on your premium if you have IR shingles, and most folks find the peace of mind they get with IR shingles.
With impact resistant shingles, most insurance companies give a discount on your premium because the roof is more resistant to hail damage. That discount is often between 15% and 30%. Personally, I use State Farm and they offered me 26% discount on my insurance premium if I purchased IR shingles. Check with your insurance company to see what your discount might be. The real savings on with IR shingles, however, is not having to worry about small hail damaging the roof and you coming up with the deductible.
What Are Impact Resistant Shingles?
When most people talk about impact resistant shingles, they’re referring to impact resistant asphalt shingles. As opposed to stone-coated metal shingles (see below). Impact resistant shingles, also referred to as IR shingles, are roofing shingles manufactured to withstand or resist the impact of objects, such as hail, better than non-IR shingles. Small hail stones won’t damage IR shingles. These shingles are not impact proof, mind you. The point of these is to extend the life of your roof. The average life expectancy of regular, non-impact resistant 3-tab shingles is about 20 years. Impact Resistant shingles, on the other hand, such as Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration, should last closer to 30 years.
Not all IR shingles are the same, mind you. For example, compare Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm to their Duration Flex. Both of these shingles are impact resistant, but the Flex line has SBS modified asphalt which makes them more pliable and gives them greater flexibility than other shingles. This gives the shingles a rubberizing effect. Hail and other debris will have a greater tendency to bounce off. CertainTeed also has SBS modified asphalt shingles. If you’re looking for the best IR shingle, look for one with SBS.
Who Tests the Shingles?
Underwriters Laboratory tests all sorts of things, including roofing shingles. They basically test products to make sure they perform as expected or advertise. They develop standards, design equipment, uncover potential hazards. Learn more at WikiPedia. Their impact test is called Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials (UL 2218). Consumer Reports also tests roofing shingles, among other products.
Impact Resistant Shingle Options in Colorado
Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Storm and Flex
Tamko Stormfighter IR
CertainTeed’s Belmont IR, Presidential Shake IR, Landmark ClimateFlex, and Northgate ClimateFlex
GAF’s Timberline AS II and Grand Sequoia AS
Malarkey’s Legacy and Legacy Scotchgard
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles and Tiles
Ready to order your impact resistant shingles? Contact us for a free estimate or consultation.
Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm is one of their best impact resistant shingles. It offers Class-4 impact resistance, a Limited Lifetime warranty, wind resistance of up to 130MPH, algae resistance up to 25 years, and Class-A fire resistance. It’s offered in 7 attractive colors, including, but not limited to, Antique Silver, Desert Tan, Brownwood, and Onyx Black. If you’re looking for an asphalt shingle that will stand-up to Colorado’s weather, Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm will serve you well.
Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Flex
Although Owens Corning’s TruDefintion Duration Flex does not have their Weatherguard® Technology, it does have their unique blend of SBS modified asphalt. This gives their Flex shingle a rubberizing effect, resulting in a shingle that’s more pliable and flexible. Therefore, one that’s more durable and resistant to impact, such as that from hail. It, too, offers a wind resistance of up to 130MPH, has a Limited Lifetime warranty, and comes in 9 colors, such as Storm Cloud, Summer Harvest, and Sand Dune.
We are an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor. Owens Corning Contractor Badges we’ve been awared include Top of the House Certified and SureNail Trained. Top of the House Certification means we’ve specially been trained on how roofing, ventilation and attic insulation work together to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. SureNail Trained means we have the extensive knowledge enabling us to better complete your roofing project.
Tamko Stormfighter IR
Tamko is unique in this line-up of impact resistant shingles, in that their Stormfighter IR shingles are the only ones with a wind-rating up to 160MPH. Most other asphalt shingle manufacturers’ wind rating goes up to 130. Of course their StormFighter IR® shingles qualify for a UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rating and are Class-A fire rated. They’re available in Rustic Black, Rustic Slate, Thunderstorm Grey, and Weathered Wood.
Do you know we are also a Tamko MasterCraft Pro Certified Contractor? This is their top certification. When you hire a Tamko certified roofing contractor, you get peace of mind knowing that we know what we’re doing. In addition, you have access to 3 enhanced shingle warranties and optional roof system upgrades.
All are Class-A fire resistant, except for their NorthGate ClimateFlex, all are high-wind rated, and all are backed by CertainTeed’s lifetime limited warranty. Their NorthGate ClimateFlex and Landmark ClimateFlex shingle lines have a rubberizing effect. This makes these shingles more flexible, as the name implies, which offers enhanced hail resistance and better surface granule adhesion.
GAF
GAF provides 2 impact resistant shingles in our area; Timberline AS II and Grand Sequoia AS, which are both are Class-4 impact resistant, Class-A fire rated, high-wind resistant, and carry Lifetime Limited warranties. These popular shingles are available in that classic wood-shake look and are available in various shades of browns and grays. Grand Sequoia AS is a designer shingle, while Timberline AS II is an architectural shingle.
Malarkey
Malarkey’s Legacy and Legacy Scotchgard are their highest-performing asphalt roofing shingles. Both are Class-4 impact rated and both are made with their NEX® rubberized asphalt, providing better all-weather resistance, and both are Class-A fire rated. Also, both offer up to 130 mph enhanced wind warranties, and limited lifetime shingle warranties. Legacy Scotchgard, as the name implies, also offers a limited lifetime algae warranty.
Additionally, depending upon the discount your insurance company offers, it might only take 3-4 years to pay off the upgrade to IR shingles.
How Much More Do Impact Resistant Shingles Cost?
Short answer: 50% to 100%, however…
Most homeowners purchase architectural/dimensional shingles. Let’s assume a homeowner has a 2500sf roof. The average architectural shingles would cost them around $8,200. IR shingles, about $12,500. That’s about 50% more. However, don’t forget the potential insurance premium discount mentioned above 🙂
1/2″ hail stones or less probably won’t damage your roof if it’s in good condition. Larger than this, and you should contact us for a free roof inspection.
Advantages
Durability
The obvious advantage of these shingles is that they are more resistant to impacts, such as from hail, than non-impact resistant shingles. Non-impact resistant shingles often only last around 15 years. Impact resistant shingles, on the other hand, often last 25-30 years.
Deductible
Because impact resistant shingles are more durable, it takes a larger hail stone to damage them. With non-impact resistant shingles, if it gets damaged by smaller hail stones, and you report that damaged roof to your insurance company and they replace it, that comes out of your deductible. With impact resistant shingles, those same smaller hail stones won’t damage your roof, therefore, you’re not reporting it to your insurance company and paying that deductible every time.
Perks
Most impact resistant shingles also come with other perks. For example, Owens Corning’s IR shingles are also high-wind resistant and come with a limited lifetime warranty. CertainTeed’s Landmark Climateflex shingles are also fire, wind, and tear resistant. You pay more for IR shingles, but you also get more. 🙂
Disadvantages
Of course, the obvious disadvantage of impact resistant shingles is the additional cost. As you’ve read above, this potentially is minor. However, because they last longer, you could argue they cost less in the longer term. The advantages of IR shingles outweigh the minor disadvantage.
What About Metal Shingles?
When most people discuss impact resistant shingles, they’re talking about asphalt roofing shingles. If you’re looking for a roofing shingle that’s impact resistant, metal shingles are the most impact resistant. Metal is much more durable than traditional fiberglass asphalt shingles. That’s why they last so much longer – 2 to 3 times longer, in fact. Stone-coated metal shingles initially cost more, however. But, because they last so much longer, they end-up costing less in the long run. Metal shingles are also recyclable in our area, unlike asphalt shingles, which makes them a more eco-friendly option.
Are Impact Resistant Shingles Worth It To You?
If you live in Colorado, and if asphalt shingles is what you’re shopping for, we feel impact resistant shingles are definately worth it. Sometimes they don’t cost much more than your average architectural/dimensional shingles, yet the benefit is big. Alternatively, if you want the most impact resistant roof, consider stone-coated metal shingles. These shingles resemble traditional shingles (or tile or wood shake), but last longer, still. Impact resistant shingles often only last around 25 years. Stone-coated steel shingles, on the other hand, should last 70 years or more 😁
If you’re shopping for IR shingles but aren’t sure which ones to get, contact us with any questions you might have and for a free estimate. Free of charge, we will come to you, measure your roof, let you know if you are required to have IR shingles per your city’s code, and give you our impact resistant shingle recommendation. Not all Class-4 IR shingles are the same. We’ve installed them all, from all the major manufacturers, such as Owens Corning, CertainTeed, GAF, etc.
For a lot of home and business owners, most purchases come down to cost. This includes roofing shingles. Although 3-tab shingles are the least expensive, they are not necessarily the best value, or the best “bang for your buck”, as they say. They are also not the most popular, and for good reasons – they don’t last as long, they aren’t as resistant to wind and hail. What’s more, in some areas, 3-tab shingles aren’t allowed. In some areas, we are not permitted to install a non-impact resistant roofing shingles, such as 3-tab/strip shingles. Below, we compare 3-tab vs architectural shingles and take a closer look to why we feel architectural roofing shingles are worth the additional cost.
Short Answer: Yes, architectural shingles are worth the additional cost. For only a little more money, upgrading to architectural shingles from 3-tab shingles gets you more wind protection and a better warranty.
If you’re considering 3-tab shingles just to save a little money, you should consider architectural shingles (also known as dimensional shingles), such as Owens Corning’s Oakridge or GAF’s Timberline shingles. For not much more money, you get a shingle that has a higher wind resistance, a longer wind warranty, and an overall lifetime warranty, and these are huge upgrades!
3-Tab/Strip Shingles
3-Tab/Strip Asphalt Shingles
Consider your entry-level 3-tab/strip roofing shingle on a 2500 square-foot roof. That will cost you around $7,900, materials and labor, 2020 prices. These shingles either don’t have a wind rating, such as GAF’s “Royal Sovereign”, or is rated for only up to 60 mph winds, such as Owens Corning’s “Supreme”. Both offer a limited 25-year warranty.
Architectural Shingles
architectural shingles
Compare those to Owens Corning’s least expensive architectural Oakridge, or GAF’s Timberline NS shingles. Both have 130mph wind ratings and limited life-time warranties. These are big differences! For that same 2500 square foot roof, you get a roof that’s resistant to stronger winds AND with a much better warranty. Here along the Front Range, it’s not uncommon to see wind gusts above 60 mph. Just this past June, gusts between 50 and 70 mph were reported by CBS Denver. The price difference between your basic 3-tab shingles and entry-level architectural shingles is minimal, $7,900 vs $8,200, respectively.
Warranties 3-Tab vs Architectural Shingles
Most 3-tab shingles only come with a 25-year warranty. With 25-year warranties, your roof is not covered beyond 25 years against manufacturer defects. If you find that your roof has failed after 25 years due to a manufacturer’s defect, it’s up to you to fix and pay for it.
Most architectural shingles, on the other hand, come with Limited Lifetime Warranties. These warranties are in effect for as long as you own your home. If anything goes wrong with your roof, you have someone to call for help.
For example, compare warranties on CertainTeed’s 3-tab XT-25 shingles versus their architectural/designer Landmark™ shingles. Their designer shingles offer a longer warranty against manufacturer defects, a longer SureStart™ warranty which covers labor costs, and a much longer wind warranty, which also covers stronger winds.
CertainTeed’s XT-25 3-Tab Shingles:
25-year, limited transferable warranty
5-year SureStart™ warranty (100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
10-year StreakFighter® warranty (on available colors) against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
5-year, 60 mph wind-resistance warranty
CertainTeed’s Landmark™ Designer Shingles:
Lifetime, limited transferable warranty
10-year SureStart™ warranty (100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
10-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
15-year, 110 mph wind-resistance warranty
Wind warranty upgrade is available for Landmark up to 130 mph. Specified CertainTeed starter and CertainTeed hip and ridge are required
High Winds
With 25-year warranties, damages or blow-offs caused by winds in excess of 60 mph are your responsibility to repair or replace, and pay for it. The length of wind protection is also shorter with 25-year limited warranties, depending upon the manufacturer. CertainTeed’s 3-tab shingles is only warrantied for the first 5 years, for example.
Compared to Limited Lifetime Warranties, the wind warranty length is often 15 years or more. And, if winds were recorded to have been over 60 mph, but under 130 mph, you have help available to repair, replace, and pay for the damages.
3-Tab vs Architectural Shingles Summary
For just a few hundred dollars more than your entry-level 3-tab shingles, you get a lifetime warranty, twice or three times the wind warranty length, and twice the wind protection. And, if you’re trying to sell your house, prospective buyers will also notice and appreciate the longer warranties and better coverage 🙂 If you want an even better roof, again for not much more money, consider Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration line, which, thanks to their SureNail technology, has even better gripping power.
It can be a chore choosing a new roof for your house. There are options for just about every budget, and styles for every taste. There is also a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from. To make the task even more difficult, there are now metal roofing products that look like shingles, tile, shake, and slate. If you’re uncertain which type of shingles to get for your house, keep reading.
Short Answer: Which roofing shingles you get depends upon a few factors. If initial cost is your primary concern, go with 3-tab or strip shingles. Architectural/dimensional shingles will last a little longer. Impact resistant shingles will last longer still. Stone-coated metal shingles will last the longest. However, they also cost the most, initially.
Shingle Types
As of the time of this writing, there are 5 roofing shingle types:
3-Tab Shingles (least expensive)
Architectural/Dimensional Shingles
Impact Resistant Architectural Shingles
Designer Shingles
Steel Shingles (most expensive)
All of these are fiberglass shingles, except for steel shingles, which have a steel foundation. All of these roofing shingles are about the same dimensions: 1′ tall by 3′ wide. Also, all of these we install.
How to Choose The Best Roofing Shingle For You
In our experience, most folks come to us with one of the following 5 priorities:
cost the least initially
cost the least long-term
looks the best
lasts the longest
is the most recyclable
Either they want the cheapest roofing shingle, or the one that looks the best, or the one that lasts the longest, or one that’s recyclable in Northern Colorado. Sometimes we can’t offer the cheapest (short-term) because in some cities 3-tab shingles aren’t allowed. Some cities, such as Fort Collins, we can’t install non-impact resistant shingles. Or, in Loveland, we can’t install a shingle that’s wind-rated less than 129MPH.
Cost
A lot of folks, when choosing the best roofing shingle for them, is cost. If you’re on a tight budget, the common 3-tab shingles are the least expensive. Most basic 3-tab asphalt roofing shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Supreme offer a modest warranty, and basic protection from the elements, such as wind and hail. However, some cities won’t allow 3-tab shingles, since most do not offer enough high-wind or hail resistance. In the City of Fort Collins, for example, per code, we are not allowed to install non-impact resistant shingles within the city. In Longmont, per their code, shingles must have a wind resistance of at least 110mph. Again, this rules-out most 3-tab shingles.
If you can spend a little more, consider an architectural/dimensional shingle, such as Owens Corning’s Duration line which offers better wind and weather protection, and a longer warranty. Architectural/dimensional shingles also offer more style than your basic 3-tab shingle. Although architectural/dimensional shingles cost more initially, they often last longer than lesser shingles. This makes them cost less in the long run. If you can spend more money initially, or can finance your roof, stone-coated steel shingles often end-up costly the least over their lifetime. That is because they often last so much longer than, even architectural shingles. On average, asphalt shingles last around 30 years. Stone-coated metal shingles, often last 70 years or more.
Appearance
If you’re more concerned about appearance and you don’t mind spending even more, consider a designer/luxury shingle, like Owens Corning’s Berkshire or Woodmoor shingles. These designer shingles still offer protection from high winds and a limited lifetime warranty, yet gives your house a little more character and curb appeal. Most architectural/dimensions shingles offer more, as the name implies, dimension. 3-tab shingles are very flat. Dimensional shingles, on the other hand, offer some depth. Just take a look at any shingle manufacturer’s architectural shingles. When viewed from the street, you can tell dimensional shingles have some depth to them. Asphalt shingle manufacturers try to mimic other roofing materials, such as wood shake or stone slate. Some do it better than others. Owens Corning’s Berkshire and CertainTeed’s Grand Manor resembles slate. Owens Corning’s Woodmoor and GAF’s Timberline resembles wood shake. These roofing shingles do a decent job of resembling wood shake or slate. However, we feel stone-coated metal shingles, such as those from Westlake Royal Roofing, does an even better job. Asphalt shingles have a fiberglass foundation. Fiberglass doesn’t hold a shape very well. Stone-coated steel shingles, however, have a steel foundation, which can be formed to, for example, resemble wood shake or barrel tiles.
Longevity
The ideal factor when trying to decide which roofing shingles to get for your house, is longevity. If you don’t mind spending more initially, checkout Westlake Royal Roofing’s or Decra’s steel shingles. Although these steel shingles cost more initially, they often cost less in the long run. This is because they last so much longer than, for example, traditional asphalt shingles. They look like asphalt shingles from a distance, but they’re really made of steel. As a local Colorado roofing shingles company, we recommend these products because they give the appearance of modern, traditional, home but with the longevity and strength of a steel roof. Mid-grade asphalt shingles last around 30 years. Steel shingles, on the other hand, often last 70 years or more, when properly installed.
Eco-Friendly/Recyclability
With recycling becoming more of a concern here in Colorado, some question a product’s recyclability first. And, we understand that. Some asphalt shingle manufacturer’s offer a recycling program, such as Owens Corning, but it’s not available here in Colorado. That said, we’ve identified multiple metal recycling centers along the Colorado Front Range. So, if you’re looking for roofing shingles that are recyclable, look at stone-coated metal shingles. As mentioned above, another nice feature of these shingles is their longevity, which also potentially makes them less expensive (again, in the long run.) If energy efficiency is a priority, consider metal panels.
The Bottom Line
With all the roofing shingle options available today, it can be difficult to decide which roofing shingles to get. If cost is your primary concern, we recommend starting with an architectural shingle, such as Owens Corning Oakridge. They are relatively affordable and they’ll last longer than the average 3-tab/strip shingles. If you can afford more, consider stone-coated metal shingles, as they will last the longest. All things considered, stone-coated steel shingles are the best type of roofing shingle, since they’re recyclable, the most durable roofing shingle, and often cost less long term. Bob Behrends offers those who reside in Colorado cost friendly shingles as well as a quality roof. Get in touch today to learn more about our roofing services in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver, and other surrounding areas.
