What Is The Best Brand Of Roofing Shingles

What Roofing Contractors Like About Certainteed Shingles:

While most building codes allow for shingles to be installed over one existing layer, but if youre putting on a complete new roof, it is important to consider all the materials used and their proper installation.

The CertainTeed Integrity Roof System: A quality roof consists of multiple products installed correctly.

Like many top brands, CertainTeed makes products for every layer from the roof deck to the ridge cap shingles.

Selling the Integrity roofing system: Installing products designed to work together gives the roofers confidence the roof wont have issues theyll have to fix later or risk their reputation. It might produce a more water-tight roof too.

Excellent warranty: CertainTeed has upgraded its warranty. 15 of 19 lines are backed with a lifetime warranty against defects. The warranty now ranks with GAFs warranty among the best.

There are fewer exclusions than before and long starting periods without proration. In this guide, we provide more detail about the warranty in the homeowner section below.

Extended warranties: Some homeowners like to maximize their warranty coverage. When a complete Integrity Roofing System is installed, you can buy an extended coverage that covers labor and tear-offs for 20 years , 50 years with disposal or 50 years with disposal and added coverage on workmanship .

Metal Roofing Tends To Win

When it comes to resisting 140 or 150 mph winds, metalroofing typically cant be beat. People are more used to seeing metal roofs oncommercial buildings, not homes, but theres no rule that says it cant beinstalled on homes.

The problem is metal is expensive and most people dont likethe look of it on their home . Youmay also have trouble finding a roofer that installs residential metal roofingsince its a somewhat uncommon choice.

There are some attributes that do make metal roofs anattractive option for homeowners. Homeowners that look hard enough can findresidential-oriented metal roofing options designed to look like normal asphaltarchitectural shingles or other common roofing materials instead of thetraditional sheet metal look people are more familiar with seeing. Theres alsothe longevity factor metal roofing can last much longer than traditionalasphalt shingles.

There are also fire-resistance benefits afforded by metalroofing. Some homeowners insurance providers will even offer rate discounts tohomeowners who have metal roofing installed.

On the other hand, theres a potential for hail to dentmetal roofing. It may not do much damage in terms of structural integrity, butit can leave a metal roof with a pock marked appearance.

How Should My Roof Look

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle and come in many different colors. However, you can use different roofing materials to match the architecture and style of your home.

• Rustic: If you want a rustic look, wood shingles are a great way to go. Thats why theyve been used for hundreds of years! They turn a rustic gray color when weathered and fit cottage, craftsman or Tudor-style homes.
• Elegant: If elegance is more your style, choose a roofing material like clay or slate tile. Tile is made in many different shapes and textures that offer a unique, upscale feel.
• Modern: For a more modern look, consider metal paneling or shingles. Metal roofing comes in aluminum, copper, stainless steel and zinc. If your home is modern and youre on a budget, asphalt shingles are your cheapest option.

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How To Choose The Best Asphalt Shingles

To choose the best asphalt shingles for your home, youll need to take into consideration a few factors, including:

• Grade and Budget: Choose from 3-tab, dimensional or designer luxury models. Each grade increases the cost to install asphalt shingles, its quality and the available design options.
• Climate: Climate dictates ratings and color. Lighter colors can reflect heat while dark colors are best for colder regions. Choose ratings for wind, fire and hail depending on your weather.
• Design and Color: The higher the grade, the more styles and colors youll get to choose from.

Best Styles Of Asphalt Shingles

Depending on your homes style, the roof may account for as much as 40% of its visual exterior. And with todays trend of creating outdoor living spaces, you could be looking at your roof a lot more often. Your choice of style and color may reflect your personality and individual taste, but its always important to keep your homes resale value in mind. Avoid materials and designs that will make listing your house difficult.

Youll find asphalt roofing shingles in an overwhelming variety of styles and colors. Its important to select a shingle profile that respects and complements the architecture of your home. Some profiles are straight, while others are contoured to mimic the look of random-cut natural stone tiles or hand-hewn wood shakes. Some shingles have a scalloped edge. These co-ordinates well with Victorian-style homes.

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Best Asphalt Shingle Colors

Youll have plenty of options for colors to choose from. Even the budget friendly 3-tab comes in a wide selection of colors.

• Warm, earthy tones: Good choice to blend your home to blend into its natural surroundings. Also good for homes in a casual, rustic setting.
• Black, white and grey: Add drama and classical elegance to traditional or even minimalist home designs.
• Lighter colors: From sandy greys and dusty browns to pastel blues, can help homeowners express their sense of style.

Climate considerations are also imperative when choosing the right shingle color and style. Keep these climate factors in mind:

• Darker-colored shingles: Absorb heat and light. Lighter colors reflect it.
• Humid or maritime climates: Susceptible to algae growth. Look for algae-resistant shingles that help inhibit the growth of streak-causing blue-green algae.

Look at shingle samples in the daylight against your siding before making any decisions.

Ready to start your asphalt shingle installation?

Decra Stone Coated Steel Roofing

Before I get into the specifics of the products, here is my personal opinion of this manufacturer and all other stone coated steel shingle and tile products.

All of them are very expensive, hard to work with, nearly impossible to repair and have poorly designed flashing. Because of these reasons, I would never install them on my house.

At the same time, the actual system is very durable. So if you have a simple roof layout, and need to replace clay tile, installing stone coated steel will save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that this system does not work great on complex and cut-up roofs.

makes a number of highly durable and attractive stone coated steel roofs. They are an industry leader, who first pioneered the production of stone coated steel roofing over 50 years ago. All of their products have a unique interlocking design, that can withstand very high winds and adds additional strength to the structure.

If you love the look of asphalt shingles, you can consider their Shingles XD line. They have the striking appearance of heavy weight architectural shingles, but actually weigh significantly less Moreover, they have a unique hidden fastener system and can be installed directly to the roof deck. They are available in 4 beautiful blended colors.

This is another high-end option, with average pricing of $4.5-5 per square foot, for materials.

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What Are The Longest Lasting Roof Shingles

One of the best brands of roof shingles out there is CertainTeed. These are the shingles to go for if you plan on staying in your home indefinitely. They are thick, high quality, triple laminate dimensional shingles with three-piece laminated fiberglass construction. They are strong and durable and come in many styles and colors.

As a rule, the thicker the shingle, the longer it is going to last, and a lot is riding on the skill of the contractor you hire to do the installation. While it is typical for shingles to last between 25-40 years, the lifespan of your roof can be impacted by climate, roof design, and long-term exposure to harsh weather conditions.

Your roof can be left vulnerable to leaks and structural damage that impair the shingles flexibility, durability, and waterproofing. This can mean you could be replacing your roof after 7-10 years.

Owens Corning Warranty Options

OC offers five different warranty options

Standard: Suitable for first and second layers of shingles over any roofing underlayment. The non-prorated period is 5 or 10 years depending on the shingle.

Total Protection Roofing System: This warranty requires the installation of Owens Corning shingles, Owens Corning Hip & Ridge shingles and two of the following four: OC VentSure roof vent, OC underlayment, OC starter shingles and OC ice and weather barrier. The non-prorated period is 5 or 10 years depending on the shingle.

The System Protection, Preferred Protection and Platinum Protection are exclusive to the Owens Corning Contractor Network who represent roofing contractors certified to properly install OC shingles.

These warranties offer longer periods without the warranty being prorated. For the System Protection warranty, you must install 2 of the 4 products listed in the Total Protection Roofing System warranty.

For the Preferred Protection and Platinum Protection warranties, you must install 3 of the products with other qualifying factors, too.

All Owens Corning warranties can be transferred once during the lifetime of the warranty. If you sell your home during the warranty period, the second Owner must contact 1-800-ROOFING within sixty days after the date of the real estate transfer to obtain the benefits of this warranty.

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Composite Plastic Roof Shingles

Composite plastic shingles are generally produced from recycled plastic materials. They are a way to get more life out of plastics and other materials that would simply be tossed out in most instances so they are a great environmentally friendly roof replacement option. You can expect to pay $4 to $6 per sq. foot for plastic shingles or $400 to $600 per square installed on a standard sized single story home.Composite plastic shingles can be designed to imitate stone slate tiles or even wood shakes. They are much lighter than slate or other roofing types which make them easy to install. Composite plastic shingles are relatively affordable, but they are not as long lasting as most other shingle types. Plastic roofing lasts from 7 to 20 years depending on the type of plastic you choose to install.

Choosing The Right Roofer For The Job

No matter how much you spend on roofing materials, the project will only turn out well if you hire a great contractor. Finding a good contractor is the hardest part of home renovation projects for most homeowners. Nevertheless, its essential to find an honest, trustworthy professional contractor.

Talk to friends and family members to find a great local contractor. By asking for word-of-mouth referrals, youre less likely to end up dealing with an unscrupulous service provider.

Youre also more likely to find a trustworthy service provider if you stick to contractors in your community. Also, local contractors are familiar with municipal regulations. They also have established relationships with local suppliers and laborers.

As you search for a contractor, look for a service provider with a manufacturers designation. This accreditation indicates that a service provider has exceptional skills.

Resultantly, a brand is willing to stake its name on the credibility of that particular contractor. GAF, for instance, only awards the top 2% of roofing contractors in each market the status of Master Elite Contractor.

You should also check with the Better Business Bureau . The BBB keeps a record of consumer reviews about local service providers.

The organization also sponsors an accreditation program. A business must maintain fair and ethical business practices for an A+ rating with the BBB.

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How Much Does It Cost And How Long Will It Last

Consider the cost and durability of the roofing material before making a final decision. Like with most things, you get what you pay for. For example, the cheaper asphalt shingles last around 15-20 years, while the expensive concrete and slate tiles last closer to 60 years. Look for lifetime and limited warranties on all material.

• Cost: Asphalt shingles are the cheapest option on the market, ranging from around $70 to $120 per square . Slate and clay or concrete tiles are the most expensive and can cost anywhere between $300 to $600 per square.
• Lifespan: Asphalt shingles typically last around 20 to 25 years. More expensive material like slate and clay tiles hold for around 40 to 50 years. In some cases, they can even last longer. Some synthetic material is less expensive than natural material and can last up to 50 years.
• Warranties: See if the roofing material you are interested in comes with a warranty. Many premium roofing materials come with lifetime guarantees, including coverage for damage from winds over 100 miles per hour.

Cost Of Owens Corning Vs Tamko Shingles

Its no secret that roof installation cost is one of the primary driving factors in a homeowners decision to go with a particular roofing product.

This is especially true, if you are looking for a budget-friendly roof that will not put a huge dent in your budget.

Here is a detailed look at the price differences between Tamko and Owens Corning Shingles.

As you can see from the table, Tamko Shingles are cheaper than Owens Corning Shingles across all shingle product categories, budget, mid-range and premium.

You can use our Roofing Cost Calculator to estimate more accurate prices for your roof replacement project.

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How To Choose A Metal Roof

First thing, you need to understand what a roofing system is. It is comprised of the shingle itself and a whole slew of accessories that go along with it, to make your entire roof watertight.

These include: drip edge, gable trim, VALLEY PAN, side wall flashing, ridge cap, snow guards, underlayment, etc. Without properly designed accessories, it doesnt matter how good your shingle is, the roof will leak. Especially important on this list are the VALLEY PAN and side wall flashing. These protect the areas that leak the most on all roofs.

In the description of each product, we will discuss which ones have good accessory kits.

I would recommend going for one that has been on the market longer. If a particular shingle has been around for a long time, it means that there is also a wide network of pros installing it.

This in turn means that these contractors are much more experienced with the system. It also means that the manufacturer has worked out numerous problems, like poorly designed flashing kits, paint issues, and have verified that their supplier provides high-quality coil.

Finally, while we recommend getting quotes from at least three licensed roofers to get the best deal, we strongly advise to hire a real pro, even if it costs more.

Why Choose Asphalt Shingles

When it comes time to replace your roof, there are a few different options, but none compare to the quality and durability of asphalt shingles. Theyre the most popular choice for new homeowners today as they are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and widely available.

Asphalt shingles are flexible, dependable, and manufactured specifically to last through the harshest weather conditions. The average asphalt roof will see 25-40 years of winter storms before it ever needs to be replaced. There are a number of great reasons asphalt shingles have been trending upwards in recent years.

• Lifespan: When installed properly and ventilated correctly, an asphalt roof could last between 25-40 years.
• Easy Install: Compared to metal or flat roofing systems, asphalt shingles are the easiest to install.
• Low Cost: Asphalt roof shingles are the best value for homeowners because theyre inexpensive and will last just as long as the more luxury options.

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Your Guide To Buying Roof Shingles

If you want to improve or repair your houses 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. Its 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. Well take a glimpse at the various materials and schemes available, to make it easier to decide. Well also examine some of the safety measures that you can take when repairing or replacing shingles.

Weve composed this buyers 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.

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Lifespan: upwards of 100 years

Resistant: strong winds, hail, fire, insects, rot

Cost: $$$

If you like the low maintenance and long lifespan of metal roofs, tile shingles are another great option. With proper installation, they can share the same durability that metal roofs provide. Tile shingles can come in a range of different types and materials. The most popular materials for best shingles Canada are either clay or slate. The tile itself can last upwards of 100 years, given the right climate and professional installation, but you wont get a warranty for that long!

It is also resistant to rot, insects, and decay. Unless a tile is physically broken, the roof itself has virtually zero maintenance. Tile roofs are one of the top energy-efficient options and greatly help regulate interior temperatures to cut monthly bills.

There are some important considerations with tile, starting with its weight. Since tile is a heavier material, your roofs structure must be in good condition and able to support the roof. Serious impact damage can also cause damage to the tile, like falling branches or severe hailstorms. Lastly, tile is a more difficult material to install. It requires a professional with the right experience and skill to ensure your roof is properly sealed and protected.

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