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 this writing, there are 5 types of roofing shingles. 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, we install all of these.
3-Tab Shingles
Architectural/Dimensional Shingles
Impact Resistant Architectural Shingles
Designer/Luxury Shingles
Stone-Coated Steel Shingles, Shakes, and Tiles
How to Choose The Best Roofing Shingle For You
In our experience, most folks come to us with one of the following 5 priorities. 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. In some cities, such as Fort Collins, we can’t install non-impact-resistant shingles. Or in Loveland, we can’t install a shingle rated for less than 129 MPH.
What is Your Priority?
Cost the least initially
Cost the least in the long term
Looks the best
Lasts the longest
Is the most recyclable
Cost
For a lot of folks, choosing a new roof comes down to 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 against the elements, including wind and hail. However, some cities won’t allow 3-tab shingles because most don’t offer sufficient 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. 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 costing 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 don’t mind spending even more, consider a designer/luxury shingle, such as Owens Corning’s Berkshire or Woodmoor shingles. These designer shingles still offer protection from high winds and a limited lifetime warranty, yet give 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 that dimensional shingles have some depth. 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 resemble slate. Owens Corning’s Woodmoor and GAF’s Timberline resemble 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, do 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 core that can be formed to resemble, for example, wood shakes or barrel tiles.
Longevity
The ideal factor when deciding which roofing shingles to get for your house is longevity. If you don’t mind spending more initially, check out 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 a 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 people first question a product’s recyclability. And we understand that. Some asphalt shingle manufacturers, such as Owens Corning, offer recycling programs, but they’re 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 recyclable roofing shingles, consider 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 know how to choose a new roof. 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, and often cost less in the long term. Bob Behrends offers Colorado residents cost-effective shingles as well as quality roofing. Get in touch today to learn more about our roofing services in Greeley, Fort Collins, Denver, and other surrounding areas.
