Are All Roofing Shingles The Same? What Do You Need to Consider?

Homeowners who have never given much thought to their roofs might believe that all roofs are made from the same materials. This isn’t necessarily a bad assumption, since in some areas the same or similar roofing materials are used on a constant basis, and some people even use special designs to mask the fact that they have a metal roof, for example, and make it look like a fancier slate or wooden roof from afar.

Nevertheless, if your roof is damaged you need to know about the various options you might have to replace it. Without that knowledge, you might buy a low quality roof that could break down in just a few years, either because it’s made of low grade material or because the material you chose is not appropriate to deal with the challenges of your local climate and weather conditions.

Roofing materials are actually very different. Cheaper asphalt shingles can last for up to 15-20 years, and they are also often manufactured through a blend of other materials to increase their lifespan by an additional 10-15 years. These can be called architectural or composite shingles, and some require Centennial roof repair more often than others.

Also, there is metal roofing (usually copper or steel) which is highly durable, low maintenance and energy efficient, as well as aesthetic and highly durable choices such as slate and concrete – which might be more expensive and harder to install. Finally, these days you can even opt for solar panel roofing which implies that each roofing tile is actually a solar panel that will help you complement your energy needs with solar power.