Nailing This Down

Posted on: 18 January 2022

As you drive around your city, you probably see a variety of residential roofs. If you travel to another part of the country, you may see other types of roofs since some roofing types are more suitable for certain climates than others. No matter where you go, you're likely to see asphalt shingle roofing. It is one of the most popular types of residential roofs for a number of reasons. Here's how asphalt shingles compare with other types of residential roofing materials.

Asphalt Shingles Are More Affordable Than Metal

Metal is a good material for residential roofs, but it costs a lot more than asphalt shingles. If you need new roofing on a tight budget, then asphalt shingles are the best choice of all roofing materials when it comes to cost. Asphalt shingles can also be easier to repair than metal panels since shingles can come off one at a time. It is more complex to pull off an entire metal roofing panel if it needs to be replaced.

Asphalt Shingles Are Much Lighter Than Clay Tiles

If you have an older home, it may not have enough structural support for clay tiles since clay tiles are heavy. More support can be added, but that makes a new roof more expensive. Asphalt shingles are light enough that your roof can handle their weight, even if two layers of shingles are on your house.

Plus, asphalt shingles are more forgiving to foot traffic. If you like to walk on your roof to inspect it or to make minor repairs, then you don't have to worry too much about damage when you have asphalt shingle roofing. Clay tiles can crack if they're not stepped on properly. It's usually better to stay off of a clay tile roof so you don't cause it any harm.

Asphalt Shingles Need Less Care Than Shakes

All types of roofing need to be repaired when it's damaged, but some residential roofs need more routine maintenance than others. Cedar shakes need quite a bit more care than asphalt shingles. The shakes need to be cleaned regularly to get rid of plant and fungal growth that damage the shakes and lead to moisture problems with the roof. Plus, cedar shakes need to be installed and repaired by a professional.

Asphalt shingles are a more simple type of roofing. If you have DIY skills, you can change out a few shingles by yourself if you know how and feel safe on your roof. Other than keeping up with repairs, asphalt shingles don't need a lot of maintenance. Protecting the granules and keeping the roof clean are two important maintenance steps, and that could involve keeping trees trimmed away from the roof and using an algae killer to remove black streaks if they form.

For more information on residential roofs, contact a company near you.