Question 1: What is the difference between roofing types/options like shake, shingle and tile?
A composite shingle roof is the easiest and most cost-effective way to go. Composite roof shingles are made from a mixture of fiberglass, recycled materials, and asphalt. Sometimes there are other types of fibers in there as well. The asphalt is what holds all the fibers together. The mixture is eco-friendly and the shingles are lighter than tile and easier to install. This type of roofing material is durable and offers great protection from many different inclement weather elements. This is also the most common type of roofing we see in this country. Composite shingles are versatile. They come in a wide variety of colors and designs and can even be made to look like tile or shake. People like this option because it gives them room to beautify their homes in a practical way. A composite shingle roof will last anywhere between 25-50 years on average.
A ceramic tile or roofing is made from clay or concrete, and a tile roof can last up to 100 years or more. Tiles are much heavier than shingles, weighing up to 18 pounds per square foot. Tile roofing is not susceptible to rot or insects and it is extremely durable and fire-proof. Tiles are aesthetically pleasing and the finished product is beautiful. You can use tile roofing to make different designs than you can with composite shingle roofing. There are different types of tiles you can use to create the design of your roof. There is mission style tile, which has an old-world aesthetic, and French style, which is a lower profile option. Then you have interlocking shingle style, which looks good with just about every architectural style. Then there are Spanish style tiles which deliver the ripple effect and have been a roofing favorite in other countries for centuries. They increase the value of your home as well. We see a lot of tile roofs in areas that are very hot during certain times of the year, or near saltwater, along the coastlines. Tile roofing is an eco-friendly option.
Shake roofing is made of wood. They look really good when you first put them on but then they fade over time. With shake you need to worry about fire ratings and make sure that the wood is properly fire treated in order to comply with your insurance company’s standards. It’s tough to get good, quality wood nowadays. Shake roofing is the least desirable. Not only do they harbor pests, but shake roofs have to be more regularly maintained than those made with other materials.
Question 2: What is the easiest type of roof to install?
A composite shingle roof is by far the easiest and most cost-effective way to put a roof on a house. The materials are abundant and inexpensive, they are lightweight and easy to work with, and it doesn’t take as much time to finish the job. It’s going to take about two weeks start to finish to install a composite shingle roof. With tile and shake roofs, you have extra things to take into consideration. Although they are aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly, and more popular in some parts of the world, these kinds of roofs take longer to put on than a composite shingle roof does.
Question 3: What is the difference in costs from each roof type?
Yes, tile and shake roofs are both much more expensive than a composite shingle roof would be. In fact, you can end up paying around an extra 60% of the cost to put up shake or tile. If you want to save money while increasing your home’s resale value, the composite shingle roof is the way to go.