Whether you’re investing in a new-construction home or have an existing one that could use a new roof, you’ll need to decide what type of shingles your roofer will use. There is a huge range of options to choose from. Some of the options are stronger and more durable than others, and there is a fairly big difference in how different types of shingles look as well.
The price of shingles also varies quite a bit based on the type, brand and, model, so it’s important that you do a bit of research to find the best option in your price range and the style you like best. In this article, we’ll provide a full overview of the different types of shingles and some of the things to look for when choosing which shingles to use on your home.
Understanding the Different Types of Shingles
The first thing you need to decide when it comes to replacing your home’s roof is what type of shingles you want to use. The two main types are asphalt shingles and composite shingles. Within those, there’s quite a bit of variety. 3-tab shingles are perhaps the most common style, made up of a single layer with tabs that help the pieces fit together. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are double-layered and three-dimensional, giving them better wind resistance and creating a textured look on your roof.
Three-tab shingles typically last 15 to 20 years unless inclement weather or some other factor damages them. The silver lining, though, is that they’re the easiest for professionals to replace. In contrast, you can usually count on new architectural shingles to last for a minimum of 20 years. Many of them can potentially last for 30-40 years as long as the roof is properly maintained and doesn’t experience any storm damage.
Before you get into slate, wood, and other specialty materials, there are composite shingles. Composite shingles are made from various polymers, resins, and rubbers that make them stronger than conventional asphalt. Many composite products are made mostly or entirely from recycled materials, and the shingles can then be recycled again at the end of their life. That means they’re generally considered the most environmentally friendly option. While asphalt shingles can also be recycled, there are very few products currently available that are made of recycled materials.
Often one of the biggest factors when deciding what type of shingles you want to use on your home’s roof is cost. Opting for composite shingles is almost always going to make your roof replacement or more expensive compared to choosing architectural asphalt shingles. The trade-off is that composite shingles can mimic other materials, allowing you to stylize your roof to look like slate, clay, or wood without their associated pros and cons. 3-tab shingles have lost favor over time, so while they come in a variety of looks, you may occasionally experience difficulty sourcing them. Architectural shingles give you a middle ground; though they’re not as easy to reinstall as three-tab ones, architectural shingles are readily available and generally less expensive up front.
Look at Wind-Resistance Ratings
Omaha occasionally experiences severe storms that can produce extremely windy weather and have the potential to cause major damage to a home’s roof. The main risk is that strong wind gusts can sometimes lift some of the shingles on a roof up, causing them to break or get torn off the roof. While there’s obviously nothing you can really do to protect your roof and the rest of your house should a powerful tornado hit, choosing shingles with a higher wind-resistance rating will greatly reduce the chances of your roof suffering wind damage in most situations.
FEMA splits the US into four zones based on potential wind strengths and the likelihood of a building suffering wind damage. Omaha is in Zone 3, which is the second highest zone. (That means there is a potential for winds of up to 200 mph.) As such, most experts recommend choosing shingles that have a fairly high wind-resistance rating. In terms of wind resistance, shingles are rated from Class A to Class H. In a windy climate, you’re always best to choose at least Class F shingles that are rated to handle winds of up to 110 mph. Class G shingles are even less prone to wind damage and should be able to withstand winds up to 120 mph. Class H offers the best protection and can handle winds up to 150 mph.
Many manufacturers also offer additional warranties on shingles with a higher wind-resistance rating. That means if your shingles get damaged by wind gusts under what they are rated for, the manufacturer will provide replacement shingles at little to no cost as long as the warranty is still valid.
Consider Impact Resistant-Rated Shingles
Opting for shingles with a higher impact-resistance rating is also a great option. Omaha typically experiences hail at least a few times a year, and sometimes the hailstones are large enough that they can cause major roof damage. Large hailstones can potentially cause shingles to crack or break. Even if shingles just get dented by hail, it can create major issues for a roof that can lead to it leaking.
The main issue is that you end up with water seeping underneath the shingles instead of draining straight off the roof, which can potentially result in water leaking into the attic. Another issue during a severe storm is that strong winds can blow tree branches or flying debris onto the roof and potentially cause damage.
The best way to protect your roof from getting damaged by hail or other impacts is to choose Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. The impact-resistance rating of shingles is determined by dropping multiple steel balls of different sizes onto them from different heights to simulate the impact of large hail stones. To qualify for a Class 3 rating, the shingles must be able to withstand the impact of a 1 3/4-inch steel ball dropped several times from a height of 17 feet without cracking. Class 4 shingles can withstand the impact of a 2-inch ball dropped from a height of 20 feet, which means they should be able to handle even the largest hailstones without suffering much or any damage.
While Class 3 and Class 4 shingles are more expensive than standard shingles, they can go a long way toward preventing roof repairs. Many homeowner’s insurance companies also offer discounts for homes that have impact-resistant shingles since there is a much less chance of roof damage and the homeowner needing to file an insurance claim.
Since 2010, Emerald Roofing has been providing expert roofing solutions in Omaha and the surrounding areas in Central Nebraska and Western Iowa. If you need to replace the roof on your home, we’ll work with you to find the best option. We’re also ready to help if you need roof repairs, maintenance, or any siding or gutter services. To learn more about the shingles we carry and your roof replacement or installation options, contact us today.
