Choosing Your New Asphalt Roofing Shingles
Second, you want beautiful curb appeal, shingles that have an attractive style and color that blends in with or attractively contrasts with the style/color of your building’s exterior.Here are some further thoughts on how to select your very best roofing shingles, given the two basic categories established just above.
1. Top Quality Roofing Shingles
There are many important factors that go into judging the quality of a roofing job, but without a doubt, the materials you choose to cover your roof with play a huge part in the final result.
Asphalt shingles consist of a fiberglass mat that is coated with asphalt that has been embedded with tiny ceramic granules that increase the shingle’s longevity in the face of high heat and UV light. A granule coating will be attached to the shingle’s top while the asphalt is still molten – this layer prevents “algae streaking” on your rooftop and adds to their visual appeal.
Getting shingles with stronger mats, that are asphalt-coated on both sides, that use a higher quality of asphalt, that include better enhancement additives, or that have superior granules on top will all mean a stronger, more durable shingle. Check the manufacturer’s reputation and the details of how a shingle product is made – or get advice on shingle quality from an experienced roofing contractor.
In seaside or high-humidity areas, look for especially “algae resistant” shingles. Look for higher fire or wind resistance in certain products over others. There are many other differences too, so be sure to research and ask for expert advice!
2. Ideal Roof Style & Color
The first choice to make as to style is whether to use regular three-tab or architectural shingles. The former is less expensive and adequate, while the latter offers a “dimensional” look, lamination, and longer durability (on top of enhanced looks).
However, regardless of whether you go architectural or three-tab, there are aesthetic choices to make. A darker color may set off your siding color well, but it will also absorb heat; whereas, a lighter color will reflect more light and absorb less heat – thus reducing monthly energy bills.
Earth tones work well if your home is located in the woods or in close proximity with nature. They also work well in rural, more rustic scenes. Straight black, white, or gray (or a combination of these) create a monochromatic effect that has an elegant and modern look. More recently, color blending methods have produced some very dramatic and attractive effects – so don’t assume your roof has to be all the same color!
Also, consider that shingle-cut styles can differ. For example, contoured shingles can mimic the look of wood shakes. Others sport scallops on the edges, while still others are simply cut straight and uniform. The resultant shingle patterning can fit into the overall ambiance of your building’s exterior.
Remember that around 40% of the average home’s exterior surfaces are on the roof. Thus, ensuring that your roofing complements other elements of the building and makes your home/business look its very best is no small matter.
For more advice on how to select the best asphalt roofing shingles for your property, contact Sheegog Contracting in Central Florida today!
