Architectural Shingles Or 3-Tab Shingles, Which Should You Choose?

roofing shingles

Because of their reduced cost and simple installation Asphalt shingles are a roof covering staple in North America. Currently they outpace all other roof covering materials by a considerable margin. Asphalt shingles are manufactured in 2 different kinds: three-tab and architectural.

Three-tab and Architectural Shingles Differences

Three-tab shingles are distinguished by cutouts– tabs– made along their long lower edge. This creates the illusion that “each tile looks like three separate items when installed, yet it’s just one.” Three-tab tiles have been around a long period of time and are still one of the most economical and popular tiles today, given their ease of setup and large range of colors.  However, during the 1980s, technical developments as well as changing consumer tastes took asphalt roof tiles to an entire brand-new degree, leading to building laminated shingles. The term “laminated” means that the tile’s construction consists of 2 or even more fundamental tiles laminated or bonded with each other.

Both laminated roof shingles as well as conventional 3-tab shingles offer efficient defense against wind. They likewise, defend against damaging water infiltration from wind-driven rainfall, offering you improved defense against the elements. In the roof market, laminated shingles tiles are more often described as being “architectural” because they’re specifically engineered to offer dimension to the roof covering by way of each individual roof shingles’ shape, cut and thickness. Therefore, the movement towards 3-tabs to architectural laminated tiles was basically for aesthetic purposes.

Architectural asphalt roof shingles can be made to mimic the remarkable, popular look of authentic cedar or all-natural slate ceramic tiles without the setup, weight, maintenance and flammability fears. In addition, some suppliers’ lines of architectural laminated tiles are readily available in a range of colors. Nonetheless, those lines that are developed to simulate the look of authentic timber shakes or natural slate ceramic tiles will always be limited to the very same color blends as those located in nature; e.g., natural or reddish browns, light as well as dark variants of grey to black.

Architectural laminated shingles are frequently called “high-definition” because of the depth and contour of each shingle. Some manufacturers utilize angled cuts while others make use of a straight cut which boosts the perception of depth as well as the appearance of a shake or tile roof covering. Although the difference between three-tab and architectural shingles seems superficial, roofers consider the latter a much more premium roof covering product because of price difference. Architectural shingles can set you back 20% to 40% percent more than three-tab roof shingles– a difference that can add up to $1500 more for larger roof coverings.

So are architectural roof shingles truly worth the added price? Some roofers say yes and here’s why:

Aesthetic Appeal

Architectural shingles can be made to resemble premium roof covering materials like cedar and also slate and are much better able to conceal flaws on the roof covering surface area.

Longevity

Architectural shingles are almost two times as thick as three-tab roof shingles and therefore extra sturdy and less susceptible to crinkling.

Weight and wind resistance

Three-tab tiles normally rate at 240 lbs per square and are ranked for wind acceleration to 60 miles per hour; architectural tiles rate at 340-440 lbs per square but are ranked for wind durability 80-120 mph.

Producer’s service warranties

25 years for three-tab, 40 to 50 years for architectural.

So is more affordable better? The response will certainly depend upon how you look at it. Three-tab roof shingles are cheaper upfront, but over the course of your roofing’s lifetime, Architectural roof shingles can cost less.

When choosing a roof always keep in mind that the main purpose of any roof covering is to shield your household, your home and its valuable materials from any types of weather conditions. Your decision, therefore, should be based on the environment you live in as well as the architectural style of your home. How much time you reside in your house and what the neighboring houses look like should also be considered and last but not least, your budget.

The Pros and Cons of Two Popular Roofing Choices: Metal And Asphalt Shingles

guy working on metal roof

If it’s time to install a new roof, the variety of options available can overwhelm you. Asphalt shingles have long been known for their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of maintenance, making them the most popular roofing material on the market today. But now there’s a variety of options that deserve consideration—especially metal, the second most popular roofing material thanks to its durability, longevity, and a wide selection of styles.

Though both materials are great options for residential roofing, one may be better suited to your needs. So we stacked them up against each other—metal roofs vs. shingles in asphalt—comparing everything from aesthetics to eco-friendliness to help you make the right decision for your roof.

Metal Roofs vs Shingles: Which Roofing Is Best for You?

Both materials have finish options for every housing style. While shingle roofs have a traditional look of their own, nowadays they’re being manufactured to mimic the look of slate, wood shakes, and tile. You can find them with scalloped edges perfect for Victorian homes or with a terra cotta look appropriate for a Mediterranean home. The color palette is wide-ranging and there’s a host of different finishes as well, from slightly weathered (to complement older homes) to subtly multicolored.

Traditionally, metal roofs were made of corrugated tin panels (called standing-seam metal) that evoke images of barns or sheds. But metal roofing—in zinc, aluminum, galvanized metals and even copper in addition to tin—has come a long way from the farm. You’ll see metal roofing that suits less rustic, more refined structures, from West Coast contemporaries to East Coast Victorians, in a variety of different colors and finishes, and in styles that replicate slate, shingles and shakes.

Because you can likely get the look you want from either metal or asphalt shingle, don’t let appearance be the deciding factor; instead, choose the material that will perform best for you.

Metal roofs tend to be more durable.

Metal roofs can stand up to nearly anything Mother Nature throws at them, so you’ll find that they come with 30- to 50-year warranties, and often outlast that with lifespans of 40 to 70 years. Metal roofs are not without weaknesses, however: Extreme hail or falling branches could dent a metal roof, as could walking on it improperly. Discuss vulnerability concerns with the manufacturer. You’ll learn, for example, that steel is hardier than copper.

Shingles have a shorter lifespan due to their own unique set of weaknesses. Pooling water and chronically damp conditions can lead to algae and fungus growth, ice dams can create cracks, and temperature spikes between day and night can reduce the life of your shingle roof. Shingle roofs come with 15- to 30-year warranties, depending largely on the region, environment, and climate.

Shingle roofs are cheaper up front.

Though you’ll get more life out of a metal roof, you’ll pay the price at the time of installation. Metal roofs generally can run from $120 to $900 per 100 square feet (one 10-foot by 10-foot area, or a “square” of material), while asphalt shingles will be between $100 and $200 per 100 square feet. Its installation will also run you more for metal since it’s a more specialized job.

You may recoup some of the costs of a metal roof down the road, because you likely won’t ever have to replace it. Additionally, insurance companies may offer discounts to homes with metal roofs. You may even qualify for tax credits by installing a metal roof on your primary home. Finally, metal roofs are so energy efficient they can save you money in monthly heating and cooling costs.

Metal roofs are more eco-friendly.

Because they’re largely made of recycled material and can be recycled again and again, metal roofs are considered a more sustainable choice than asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are also more energy-efficient thanks to their reflective qualities, which can block heat transmission to the home’s interior. Specialized paint coatings can further reduce your cooling bills. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, need to be replaced more frequently than metal roofs; it’s estimated that U.S. landfills receive nearly 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles annually. Also, asphalt shingles are a petroleum-based product, which increases dependency on fossil fuels.

Asphalt shingle roofs generally are easier to install and repair.

For pros, the work requires little specialized knowledge and basic tools. Shingles can be installed in a day or two in some cases, sometimes right over the existing layer. Metal roofing installation typically requires a more skilled and specialized tradesman. The job is more precise, with less room for error, so it won’t move as quickly as a shingle installation. However, some lightweight metal products may be able to be installed right over an existing roof in good condition, simplifying installation overall and eliminating the cost of ripping the original roof out.

Likewise, repairs are also easier for shingles than metal roofing. Though roofing manufacturers don’t recommend do-it-yourself jobs—you could likely void the warranty—asphalt sheets are easier to work with than metal ones, since they can be cut down to size and retrofitted to the roof with little difficulty. Metal roofs are harder to replace individually, due to the way the metal panels are joined together, and typically require a retrofit of an entire panel.

Whatever the choice metal or shingle, there will be pros and cons. In the end what is aesthetically pleasing to the homeowner will be the right choice.

 

 

Warning Signs That Indicate You May Need A New Roof

Roofing_Worker

Is it time to repair or replace your old roofing? Look out for these warning signals so that you know when it’s time to call a roofing contractor.

Many property owners figure they require a brand-new roofing system after they find even a small leak in their ceiling. This leakage could be as a result of various roof covering problems. But what factors truly identify whether roof repair work will resolve the trouble, or your house needs a roof replacement?

It’s important to remember to get quotes from at least 3 pros! You should always look for a roofer who has good reviews and some manufacturers certifications like this company in Lancaster Pa.  You can see their GAF Certification right on their website like this lancaster pa roofing company: https://lancasterroofingmasters.com/

Below are some suggestions to help you figure out if you need a new roof.

  1. Roofing age

Just how old is your existing asphalt shingle roof? Many specialists agree that a normal roof will certainly last between 20-25 years. You must also take into consideration on whether the old roofing system was eliminated and you only have one layer of shingles, and if it is properly aerated. If the roofing was installed over one layer or a number of layers and it is older than twenty years, chances are you require a brand-new roof covering.

  1. Shingles curling and/or visibly distorting

Roof shingles that are curled or buckling are another sign that you may need a new roof. Check out the sides of your residence that get straight sunlight and look to see if the roof shingles are crinkling or losing granules as well. It could indicate that the shingles are past their life span. It could also mean that the roof covering is defective.  In this case, contact a certified professional roofer to see if you could be eligible for reimbursement.

  1. Contours (valleys and peaks) in your roof

If your roofing tiles are falling apart or missing in areas, it’s a certain sign you require a brand-new roofing system. Valley locations of your roofing system can cause rain and snow to circulate through valleys and into rain gutters. If the valley is endangered, you could be prone to roofing system leakages.

  1. Missing shinglesmissing shingles on roof

These are an additional indicator your roof covering could be failing. Examine to see if all of the roof shingles “tabs” are intact.

  1. Chimney flashing issues

This is an additional area to be worried about. If your chimney has an undercoat of tar or concrete as the seal between the roof and the brick or stone and morter, it may have to be replaced replaced with a long-term, water-tight metal flashing system.

  1. Shingle granules in the gutters.

Look in your seamless gutters to see whether they are loaded up with shingle granules. Roofs often tend to lose more granules toward completion of their life process. Variation in color on some parts of the roof is another sign the granules have actually deteriorated.

  1. Daylight showing through the roofing.

If you notice a squishy feeling or trampoline bounce when walking on the roofing system, this may imply the underlying outdoor decking is compromised from wetness. Inspect your attic room to see if there is any type of daylight coming through the roofing system boards. Also check for moisture in the insulation.

Tips For Making Your Roof More Environmentally Friendly

environmentally freindly roofs
Decrease The Environmental Impact of Your home Roof System by Making Your Roofing System A Lot More Green

environmentally freindly roofsMany home owners desire to have a more environmentally friendly roofing system in order to reduce its impact on the environment. In addition to fundamental changes, such as mounting power effective devices and low-flow shower heads, it is additionally feasible to minimize a residence’s ecological effect by making changes to the roofing. Below are some typical roof methods a Lansdale roofer  told us about that can make your house eco-friendly, which can also help lower energy usage as well as energy costs every month.

Water barrels:

An easy and reasonably cheap method of decreasing a property owner’s impact on the atmosphere is to put a water barrel at the downspouts of your eaves trough. The water runoff from the roofing can be accumulated and used for outdoor water functions such as watering the yard, or cleaning outdoor patios and walkways. Water barrel collection benefits the owner by displacing the water on a regular basis from water hoses with the added advantage of water usage and prices.

Appropriate insulation as well as air flow:

Correct insulation and ventilation of a roof covering system can help the atmosphere and lower the cooling and heating prices of a residence. The reduction in power and fossil fuels used in the heating and also cooling down procedures will assist in making a much more ecologically efficient household.

Daylighting:

Solar reflective tubes are a wonderful means to bring natural daytime into virtually any area of a residence. Daylighting can provide natural light during daytime hours, which will certainly benefit the environment by reducing power, and offering healthy and balanced natural light to the home.

Cut excess growth around the roofing location:

Maintaining plant life growth from encroaching on a roof covering area will certainly assist in air flow as well as decrease deterioration of your roof system. Poor air circulation around a roof can create locations on a roofing system that can create increased aging. Extending the life of the roof covering system lowers the product use with time, saves cash, as well as lowers the environmental impact.

Roof Maintenance:

Correct roofing maintenance consisting of keeping the seamless gutters, downspouts, and roofing system location free of particles will assist in prolonging the life of a roof system. By utilizing the full lifetime of a roof system home owners can delay roof replacement which in turn results in cost savings as well as less product waste.  If you are considering upgrading your roof consider contacting our friends and article contributors.

How to Choose the Right Roof Covering For The Pitch Of Your Roof

Roofing_Shingles

When choosing roof shingles or tiles or metal panels for your roof it might seem that you have a boundless selection of  material on the marketplace: asphalt, composite, steel, wood shake, rubber, and MSR rolled roof coverings. Many people think that the selection is purely an aesthetic or economic one– that you select a roofing material totally according to what you like or what you can manage financially.

Not so. Lots of elements determine which roofing products you can utilize, as well as one make-or-break element, the incline of the roof, called roofing pitch. For instance, you might consider  timeless composite shingles on your roof, however if the pitch is below a particular ratio, you may be required to set up a various sort of roofing– perhaps rolled roof or standing seam-metal roof covering.

Roofing Pitch – What It Is And How It Affects The Roofing Materials You Use

Pitch is the term used to define the angle, slope, or slant of your roof. Roofing system pitch classifications consist of 2 numbers indicating a proportion. The ratio can be shown by a division lower separating the numbers, such as 2/12 or 7/12. Or, the colon can change the slash, as in 2:12 or 7:12. In any case, the notation assigns a proportion in between two measurements of the roofing system– a numerator as well as denominator.

Numerator: The numerator, or very first number, describes the vertical (height) measurement of the roofing system.

Denominator: The common denominator, or 2nd number, denotes the straight (length) measurement of the roofing system. To make things a little bit easier, for roofing purposes the common denominator is constantly 12. Even though standard math tells us that 12/12 can be decreased to 1/1, this is not done with a roof covering pitch. The denominator continues to be 12.

 

Exactly How to Determine The Pitch of a Roof

Simply put, the pitch of a roof is just a ratio that suggests just how much angle there is in the roof over a 12 foot  horizontal range.

Here are some examples:

5/12: For each 12 horizontal feet, the roofing system changes 5 feet in vertical height.

8/12: For every 12 straight feet, the roof adjustments 8 feet in vertical elevation.

 

For most home designs, roofing system pitches fall in a variety 4/12 (a moderate) slope up to 8/12 (relatively high). Instances of extreme slopes vary from 1/4/ 12 (practically flat) to 12/12 (sloping down at a best 45-degree angle).

Low and High Pitch Instances

2 examples at each end of the range:

Low-pitched: It was trendy for modern-style houses built in the 1960s to have little pitch, just a barely negligible incline to aid drain water. Visually, this roof appears flat. This pitch might be as reduced as 1/12.

High-pitched: Roofs on Victorian-era homes were typically greatly angled with a steep pitch. Think of a classic Adams Family haunted residence with its soaring peaks and you have a picture of a piercing roof covering. This is one of the rare pitches where the numerator is greater than the denominator, with an incline as high as 18/12.

.25/ 12 to 3/12 Roofing Pitches

Roofing system pitches with reduced angles, such as 1/12 up to 3/12 are located in modern style homes as well as in industrial structures. The level roofing products most appropriate for these shallow-sloped roof coverings include:

Built-up roofing: Sometimes called tar-and-gravel, or BUR, the modern kind of this sort of roofing system includes rotating layers of asphalt as well as strengthening materials.

” Torch-down” roofing: This is a single layer membrane-style roofing product that is heat-activated by a torch throughout installment.

Rubber membrane: EPDM (brief for ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a real rubber that can be applied to a roofing system with glue or mechanical supports.

Metal_RoofStanding seam metal: These roofs are made from panels of aluminum or steel collaborated in raised joints. They can be made use of on roofing systems with pitches as reduced as.25/ 12. They are additionally made use of on much steeper roof coverings.

2.5/ 12 to 19/12 Pitches

Clay or cement floor tiles can be made use of on a vast array of roof covering pitches. For pitches of 2.5/ 12 up to 4/12, the roof calls for double underlayment. Inclines over 19/12 are not suggested given that tiles on very steep roof coverings can rattle.

4/12 to 20/12 Pitches

A terrific amount of residential roof coverings fall into this classification. The roof products frequently utilized for these pitches consist of asphalt (compound) shingles: Conventional 3-tab shingles made with asphalt composite are the most prominent sort of roof shingles as well as are the most versatile in terms of adapting to many roof pitches. These roof shingles are appropriate for pitches as reduced as 4/12 pitch, all the way as much as a 12/12 pitch. Consider them as taking the center road in terms of roof pitch– not as  level, but also not steep.

5/12 to 12/12 Pitch

Wood as well as slate shingles are made use of in much of the same kinds of roofing as asphalt composite tiles, yet might not be appropriate for roofing systems near the lower end, considering that they are a lot more at risk to dripping. Wood and slate tiles do not secure together as tightly as other kinds of tiles.

A Quick Look At Some Roofing Materials

The majority of roof covering materials have actually an advised pitch variety for which they are most appropriate. Adhering to the suggestions is not mandatory; however you should not go below the recommendation. As an example, timber and slate tiles may work for roofing steeper than the leading suggestion of 12/12, however you ought to not install them listed below the 4/12 reduced variety.

Clay or cement floor tiles: 2.5/ 12 to 19/12

Asphalt (composite) shingles: 4/12 to 20/12

Wood and slate tiles: 5/12 to 12/12

Built-Up (BUR):.25/ 12 to 3/12

Rubber membrane:.25/ 12 to 3/12

Standing-seam steel: 1/12 to 19/12