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Are you looking to move into a new home and are shopping around for the right type of shingle for your roof?
Or perhaps you’ve reached the point where your need a major roof replacement to prevent any damages to your home.
Regardless of your situation, if you’re wondering how to select the best shingles for your roof, we’ve got you covered.
Here is a list of the top factors that you should consider when choosing the type of shingles for your roof.
- Location
- Durability
- Budget
- Energy Efficient
- Aesthetics
Choose According to The General Climate of Your City
Your location plays a big role in how you prioritize what shingles are best suited for your home.
If you’re in the Southern United States in states, you may need more than asphalt shingles on your home.
Whereas if you want the best roofing Whitby Ontario has to offer, asphalt shingles are among the best options for the southern Ontario climate.
The following factors should be considered in light of the requirements the climate of your city demands.
Durability
The climate you live in plays a big part in determining the right type of material you use on your roof.
Many people like the idea of choosing a shingle that lasts the longest as opposed to replacing an entire roof after 20 years.
The amount of rain, snow, sun, and wind you get throughout the year plays a huge role in the type of shingle that you choose for your roof.
Cities with High Wind Speeds
If you live in a city where there are regular tropical storms with high wind speeds, you have to consider metal roofing or clay tiles for the best durability.
You can see that most homes in Florida and Texas have these types of roofing material.
For temperate climates like Southern Ontario, Canada, asphalt shingles are the best option for all-around performance.
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Budget
Let’s get real for a second. If you’re struggling with bills as it is already then buying a new roof is going to be another expense that needs to be budgeted properly.
You’re going to need the most durable shingles at the lowest cost. Consider the climate and the minimum requirements you’re going to need from your roof.
Go for All-Round Performance
Asphalt shingles are the most affordable and come at a range of prices. To understand what you’re getting you should be consulting with a trusted roofing professional that services your area.
Experienced roofers can tell you the most common problems their clients experience in terms of damage and repair.
This can help you to avoid situations where going too cheap on the installation will result in having to pay more in the end through maintenance and repairs.
Maximize Your Investment with Financing
Most respectable roofing companies offer financing options to help homeowners pay for their roofs in the most comfortable manner.
This means paying a monthly installment as opposed to having to drop down the entire cost of a roof in one shot.
In the end, you pay more for your roof (since you pay interest) but you have more options for finding the most suitable type of shingle for your home.
You also can get more from your investment with lower maintenance and lower energy costs.
Energy-Efficient Options
Can you imagine your roof actually paying you back? Seems crazy but believe it or not, you can invest in a roof that rates high in energy efficiency.
An energy-efficient roof is one that reduces the amount of strain your air conditioner or furnace depending on the climate you live in.
Metal Roofing
One of the most energy-efficient roofing materials is standing seam metal. This type of roof not only provides excellent insulation during the summer and winter months but lasts as long as 50 years or more.
Despite the initial investment being higher than less expensive roofing options, metal roofing requires minimum maintenance.
This combined with its insulating attributes makes it a sound long-term investment.
Roofing Tiles
Roofing tiles are made of a material that has a natural resistance to heat. Ceramic, concrete, and slate tiles are the first choices for energy-efficient material since they possess excellent reflective properties.
Due to the fact that each tile is installed individually, there is natural airspace that flows around the roofing tile.
This space cools them down faster with less heat transfer to your home. Each tile is installed individually which makes them extremely sturdy.
The breathing room between each tile contributes to the insulating effect of the material.
Ceramic tiles can last as long as 70 years, while concrete tiles range from 30-50 years. Slate offers the longest lifespan by providing a homeowner with loyal service for up to 150 years!
Aesthetics
It’s only natural that you would need to consider what your shingle options would look like on your roof. A roof can account for up to 40% of what people see from the front and backyard.
Would it bother you to know people pass by and comment on how ugly your home looks? Do you want to own an ugly home?
If not, then you need to think about the aesthetics of your roof and how it coordinates with the color of your home.
Here are some recommendations on how to match shingle colors to your home:
| HOUSE COLOR | BEST MATCHING ROOF SHINGLE COLOR |
| Red | Dark Brown, Black, Grey, Green |
| Light Grey | Grey, Black, Green, Blue, White |
| Beige/Cream | Brown, Black, Grey, Green, Blue |
| Brown | Grey, Brown, Green, Blue |
| White | Almost any color including Brown, Grey, Black, Green, Blue, White |
| Weathered Wood or Log Houses | Brown, Green, Black, Grey |
Choose shingles that compliment your color scheme. You can bring out the best colors of your home by picking a neutral tone that contrasts your brick.
IKO provides a roof viewer that allows you to see what your house would look like with different colored shingles.
You simply upload an image of your home and click through their options for shingles.
You can also choose from their selection of model homes and exchange shingles on their own images. Click here to try the IKO’s RoofViewer.
Beautify Your Home with The Best Shingles
There’s no shame in being confused about what shingle to choose. Your roof is a serious investment so it’s important to do the research and get accurate and honest consulting from roofing professionals.
Good luck with your decision in making your home a safe and beautiful place to live.
