What type of shingle should I use?

Types of Shingles and General Use

Asphalt & Asphalt Fiberglass Shingles

Keep in mind, asphalt shingles are supposed to be used on roofs that have a steep slope.

Although these terms are used interchangeably, most roof shingles used today are technically known as asphalt fiberglass shingles. The fiberglass mat embedded in the shingle provides an extra measure of strength and tear resistance.

These shingles are the most popular type of roofing for sloped roofs because they're affordable, easy to install, durable, and available in a wide variety of colors. Premium grades of "laminated" asphalt fiberglass shingles are typically warrantied for 50 years.  Other grades, not so much.  If they are installed in weather that fluctuates a lot, there is a tendency that they might crack.

Wood Shingles & Shakes

Mold and mildew can grow on wood.  As long as it is taken care of promptly, it shouldn't hurt the roof.  Power spray the mold/mildew off.  Mold/mildew and algae can also grow on asphalt.  Do not power spray an asphalt roof as that can dislodge the granules covering the asphalt and decrease the life of the tile.

Wood shingles and shakes usually come from red cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, or Eastern white cedar. These evergreens produce wood that is dimensionally-stable and naturally resistant to rot and insect attack.

The main difference between shingles and shakes is that shakes are split from the log and have a rough, random texture; shingles have a smoother surface because they're sawed. A wood roof is expensive, and requires extra skill to install. That's why most people avoid installing this type of roof unless they're dealing with a historic house.

Clay & Concrete Tile Roofing

Tile roofs are are beautiful and most closely associated with Spanish style houses.  Damaged tile can sometimes break during heavy hail storms.  Some damage can be a bit difficult to repair.
Generally, they are a long-lasting roof and usually easy to repair.

Clay and concrete tile roofing are often grouped together because they are both masonry roofing materials with similar installation requirements. Whether clay or concrete is used as the molding material, the end result is a roofing tile designed to overlap and/or interlock with adjacent tiles.

Clay and concrete tile roofs are well-suited for hot climates that have rainfall; however, there is the possibility of damage from heavy hailstorms.  Hail that is over 2 inches can be damaging. Clay and concrete roofing can also tend to be heavier than other options so it's important to make sure your roof can hold the added weight.  These roofs can last from 50 - 100 years.

Rubber Roofing

Rubber membrane roofs are often used to seal flat roofs over garages and porches. 

Although rubber has been around for a long time, rubber roofing is fairly new. That's because it's taken a great deal of chemistry research to develop a thin rubber membrane with the durability and waterproof qualities required of a roofing material. Rubber roofing is sometimes referred to as EPDM roofing. EPDM is an abbreviation for ethylene propylene diene monomer, the highly engineered compound used to manufacture most types of rubber roofing. Rubber roofing is used primarily on flat or low-slop roofs in both commercial and residential buildings.
A "membrane roof" usually refers to a rubber or EPDM roof that is installed in a flat roof or a low-slope application. Many commercial buildings have membrane roofs; few houses do.

Composite Roofing

Composite shingles can be really great for being durable and lasting a long time.  Some also carry great warranties.

The term "composite" can apply to several different types of roofing, since it simply implies that a number of different materials are used in the manufacturing process. Today one of the most common types of composite roofing is a simulated roofing slate that is made from resins and from rubber compounds extracted from reclaimed tires. Slate look-a-like offers excellent longevity and a lower installation price while providing the appearance of a traditional slate roof.

Metal roofing

Metal roofing comes in many styles ranging from standing seam styles to shingle look-a-likes.  Some metal roofs can be loud during rain/hail storms.

Metal roofing is a huge category that includes factory-formed and finished roofing panels as well as roofing panels that are cut and formed at the building site. Metal roofing has a long history of use on houses, farm structures and commercial buildings. Its main limitation is that it's not suitable for use on complex or curved roofs. Like corrugated roofing, many metal roofs can be installed directly over a worn-out older roof without tearing off the old roofing material.

Corrugated roofing

Corrugated metal roofing panels are not generally used on houses but offer a great solution for sheds and other garden structures.

Corrugated roofing is easy to spot because of its distinctive form; it's a thin sheet that contains a symmetrical pattern of alternating ridges and grooves. Most corrugated roofing comes in sheet form, but large shingles are available from some manufacturers. This type of roofing can be made from steel, polycarbonate or an asphalt-fiberglass composite. It's more appropriate for agricultural and commercial buildings and for small sheds than it is for houses. One important advantage with corrugated roofing is that it can be fastened down over an existing shingled roof without removing the original roofing material.

Flat roofing

Because any flat roof is inherently prone to leaking, it’s important to hire skilled installers whenever flat roofing is repaired, replaced or installed.

This roofing category is often grouped with “low-slope” roofing because many of the roofing treatments are the same. The most common flat-roofing materials used on residential and commercial buildings today include single-membrane systems like EPDM or rubber roofing, thermo-polyolefin (TPO) roofing and PVC roofing. Metal roofing is sometimes used on low-slope roofs, but not on flat roofs.

High-density Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) roofing is a system that coats the roof with a continuous layer of foam insulation that can also serve as the finished roof surface (as long as a protective coating is applied over the foam).

Slate roofing

Slate is king of roofing materials but is pricey and more difficult to install.  Additionally, it can be quite heavy which may make it a non-option for many homes.

Most roofing slate used in the U.S. comes from slate deposits in Vermont and Pennsylvania.

Expensive to manufacture and tricky to install, this "stone" roof is among the most expensive available. When properly installed and maintained, a slate roof can last for 75 years or more.  Slate also tends to be heavier that other materials, so again, making sure your roof can hold the extra weight is important.

Solar shingles & solar roofing

Solar shingles are far less obtrusive than bolt-on modules, but they are less efficient, too. Credit: Courtesy of The DOW Chemical Company

Solar shingles and solar roofing are examples of new "thin-film" photovoltaic technology referred to as "building-integrated photovoltaics," or BIPV. Solar shingles are designed in the standard size and shape of asphalt shingles so that they can be unobtrusively integrated into an asphalt shingle roof.

Solar roofing, or BIPV, can take the form of solar shingles or roofing tiles that contain solar cells.

Choosing the right material goes hand-in-hand with the right contractor

Over time, roofs can wear out and eventually become ugly and can start leaking.  Lowry Roofing Co can assess these issues and offer you a wide range of solutions and materials that you will be happy with.

If you are considering a new roof design or energy efficient shingles, we can help from start to finish. We can walk you through every option when it comes to roof replacement or new roof installation design and function.

Let us help you get started on your new roof today, starting with a Free Estimate! We proudly serve residential/commercial customers throughout the North Dallas area.