Various Types of Roof Shingles – What you Need to Know

Roofing is an incredibly important part of every structure. The types of roof shingles that you choose speak volumes about the overall design of your house. There are five main types of roof shingles, including Asphalt, Slate, Tile, Wood, and Metal. Let’s go over them all.

1) Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular types of shingles used in today’s home roofs. These shingles are made of a base material that is covered with asphalt, which is waterproof.

Average Price of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are popular because they are fairly inexpensive. They are priced by the square and tend to range between $80 and $150. This measurement corresponds to 100 square feet (you will also see price ranges of $1-$2 per square feet).

Also, the price doesn’t include installation which can cost an average price of $3700 (national average) but its better to ask first.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

There are two main types of asphalt shingles – organic and fiberglass.

• The organic variety consists of a base layer of wood pulp, paper, or another natural material that has been soaked in asphalt. Another layer of asphalt is then laid over the top of them. Organic Shingles are not manufactured anymore.
• The other type – fiberglass – consists of a fiberglass mat that’s coated in asphalt. Fiberglass shingles have slightly higher installation cost but they are more durable and also are fiber resistant having usually Class A fire rating.

Pros of Asphalt Shingles

• Asphalt shingles are inexpensive and easy to install.
• They are fairly lightweight

Cons of Asphalt Shingles

• Organic asphalt shingles are not fireproof.
• These types of roof shingles tear easily and won’t stand up to hurricane-force winds.

2) Slate Shingles

Slate shingles are those that are made of small tiles of stone. These types of roof shingles have a very classy look to them but are tougher to install and more expensive compared to asphalt.

Average Price of Slate Shingles

The price for slate shingles varies. The average for synthetic slate shingles is around $235 a square, while real slate can be $450 a square. Again, this is just the cost of the materials alone. Installation cost varies between $5,000 – $25,000.

Types of Slate Shingles

Like asphalt shingles, there are two main types of slate shingles – real and synthetic.

• Real slate are made from actual stone.
• The synthetic shingles are made of a blend of plastic, rubber, and other materials that are molded to look like real slate stones. These synthetic shingles are lighter than the real stone version, but no one will be able to tell the difference from the ground.

Pros of Slate Shingles

• Slate shingles look very nice and fit in with certain types of architecture well.
• A synthetic slate shingle roof will last for a long time. That is true also for real slate from stone.

Cons of Slate Roofs

• Real slate shingles are brittle and can be easily damaged by hail.
• Also, authentic slate shingles are heavy.
• The price can be high, although it depends on whether or not you choose real or synthetic slate.

3) Tile Shingles

Tile shingles are very popular in warmer (read: tropical) parts of the world where they fit into the local architectural styles. However, these types of roof shingles can be used just about anywhere.

Average Price of Tile Shingles

The price for tile shingles depends on whether or not you want concrete or clay ones. Concrete tiles range from $400 to $700 per square, while clay tiles are between $800 and $1,100 per square. Installation costs are extra and range between $10,000 – $15,000.

Types of Tile Shingles

The two main types of tile shingles are concrete and clay. Both are molded into the desired shape. However, the materials are quite different. Concrete tiles are stronger and less expensive than the clay variety. However, they are heavier.

Pros of Tiles Shingles

• Tile shingles look nice and fit a number of historic building contexts.
• These types of roof shingles can last for many years when installed correctly.

Cons of Tiles Shingles

• No matter which type you choose, tile shingles are heavy so you will need a good supporting base frame.
• The roof must be a certain slope (4 to 12 degrees) in order for the shingles to be applied correctly.
• A specific underlayer must be applied to the roof first in order to provide additional waterproofing.

4) Wood Shingles

Wood shingles are very traditional. These types of roof shingles have been used for hundreds of years. They started out as shake shingles, which were split from logs. Modern techniques have changed the size and shape of these types of roof shingles.

Average Price of Wood Shingles

The cost of a square of wood shingles varies based on the type of wood and the overall style. The range is usually between $400 and $700 per square, not counting any installation costs which are between $7,000 – $15,000.

Types of Wood Shingles

The main difference between the types of wood shingles available on the market is the wood itself. Redwood, cedar, and pine are all popularly used. However, some wood shingles are imprinted with designs, and there is a type of faux-wood shingles that consist of molded rubber that looks like wood.

Pros of Wood Shingles

• Wood shingles are very durable and can withstand strong storms.
• They are lightweight.
• A wood shingled roof will last for several decades if maintained properly.

Cons of Wood Shingles

• Wood shingles are more expensive than asphalt.
• They are prone to insect infestations unless they’re properly coated.
• They need maintenance works.

5) Metal Roof Shingles

Finally, there are metal roofs that can be made to look like shingles. These types of roof shingles are usually ignored, simply because homeowners believe that they won’t look anywhere as nice as wood or tile. However, thanks to technological advances, metal shingles can look even better than these natural options.

Average Price of Metal Roofs

The price of metal roof shingles varies considerably. The average cost per square ranges from $265 to $600 depending on the type of metal chosen and the installation cost is around $2,000 to $15,000.

Types of Metal Roofs

There are several different types of metal shingles:

• steel,
• aluminum,
• corrugated steel,
• copper,
• coated steel,
• standing seam.

The two most popular varieties are steel and aluminum, with the former being heavier than the latter. The other types – corrugated steel, copper, coated steel, and standing seam – are considered premium roofs, as they are more expensive and less prone to rusting or discoloring over time.

Pros of Metal Roofs

• These types of roof shingles are very inexpensive, for materials anyway.
• They are very durable and strong.
• They can withstand strong winds.
• A metal shingled roof can last for more than 30 years before it needs to be replaced.

Cons of Metal Roofs

• Metal shingles are easily dented by things like hail.
• Things like rain hitting the roof will cause quite a bit of noise.
• An untreated metal roof will rust.