Whether you want to replace old shingles off the roof or simply buying new ones for a newly constructed house, you need to know how to choose the right shingle as it matters a lot. Shingles are composed of many layers and protect your house from hail, rain, snow, fungi and algae, and many other factors while providing the needed oomph factor with the texture, color, design, and type that elevates the overall aesthetic and appearance of a house. Here are some of the tips on how to choose the right shingle for your roof.
Pitch & Weight
The pitch of a roof refers to the steepness across its length. It is usually calculated in inches per foot, so a 5:13 slope denotes a roof rise of 5 inches across 12 feet of length. Depending upon what slope goes well for your house, you will have to choose materials accordingly.
Usually, the slope also depends on the climate as some regions would receive ample snowfall and would require a steeper slope to counteract the accumulation.
Another thing that you should be on the lookout for is the weight of the shingles. Depending upon which material you use, it will carry a different weight. You must consider how much load your house can take as it is also a deciding factor on what types of shingles you can look out for. If your roof isn’t adequately supported to carry much of the dead load, asphalt shingles are fairly lightweight. This is crucial on how to choose the right shingle.
Material and Durability
When it comes to materials, you have a variety to choose from. Stone and slate tiles, solar tiles, wood, metal roof, plastic, rubber, asphalt, among others. As usual, the price widely differs between all the materials mentioned above. You can cross-reference the type of shingles your neighbor has put up or ask your contractor for suggestions and opinions to give a final go.
Shingles are subjected to weathering, snowfalls, hail, rain, UV rays, and whatnot. Thus, materials that are used in any shingle must be durable to withstand it. Look out for weather-resistance, fire-proof, rain-proof, and durable shingles or you have an immense catalogue to choose from Alberta’s Permanent Roofing.
Style
A roof makes up 40 to 50 percent of your home’s exterior and it needs some cosmetic upgrades too. Many companies offer a wide range of styles such as 3-tab shingles, designer asphalt shingles, and architectural shingles spread across different patterns such as overlapping squares, octagonal, and others to choose from. Each style of shingles has different color options, price tags, and maintenance post-installation.
Color
Choosing shingles presents you with a challenge and that is what color to choose. Asphalt shingles are readily available in earthy and neutral colors and the same goes for slate tiles. On the other hand, metal shingles can be painted with a wide variety of colors and shades which gives you more options to choose well. Consider the hue of the sunlight as it tends to shift from bluish to yellowish or orangish depending upon the location of your house.
Cost
Cost is undoubtedly one of the most imperative deciding factors out there. Alberta’s Permanent Roofing offers varied types of shingles at different price tags. You are looking at anything between $4,000 to $20,000 or even more but it all depends on the type of shingles you choose and the square footage of your roof. Choosing the right shingle balancing both preferences and budget is crucial.
When it comes to choosing the right shingles, you can be sure that Alberta’s Permanent Roofing will help you make the right choice based on all these aspects.