Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
- Low upfront cost
- Many different styles
- Ease of installation
- Durability
As for the drawbacks, asphalt shingles are not that great at tolerating hot weather or sudden weather changes. They may discolor, dry out and eventually melt.
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Asphalt shingle roofs are one of the most popular and the most common residential roofing systems in Maryland and in many other states. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive, low maintenance and look attractive on most sloped structures.
3 Main Types of Asphalt Shingles
- Organic asphalt shingles are essentially mats made of paper/wood mixture and coated with asphalt. They are fairly durable and waterproof, and are still preferred by many homeowners despite the availability of better options.
- Fiberglass shingles have a glass fiber mat at the core, which is coated with asphalt and then covered with a protective resin that makes the shingle waterproof. Thanks to the fiberglass, these shingles are much more fire-resistant than their organic counterparts.
- Architectural shingles are also known as laminated or composition shingles. They have a fiberglass core as well, but also include ceramic-coated mineral granules and other compounds that make a shingle look 3-dimensional. These laminated shingles can imitate cedar shake and even slate.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs may not be as popular as asphalt shingle roofs, but they are still fairly common, especially in low-pitch applications. Customers choose them for their durability, as well as resistance to hail and tree limb damage. Metal roofs are typically installed via interlocking sheets, and have many styles and designs you can choose from. Despite your initial impression, metal roofs are lightweight and can sometimes be placed over existing roofing.
Common Types of Metal Roofs:
- Aluminum roofs resist corrosion and can last up to 35 years. These roofs can be painted for an added layer of protection.
- Galvanized steel roofs also resist rust and corrosion thanks to the protective zinc coating. They can last 60+ years with proper care.
- Copper roofs are extremely durable, but also rather expensive. These days copper is used sparingly as a roofing material and is often reserved for special features.
When coated with special “cool pigments,” these roofing materials are also great at reflecting the heat, helping your home stay cooler in summer. And in winter, metal roofs will make snow melt off faster.
Downsides of Metal Roofs
- Some people find metal roofs to be noisy in the rain, but this also depends on the insulation.
- Metal roofs will deteriorate faster in salty air and polluted air areas.
- They may require additional grounding since metal is an electricity conductor.
- It can be cumbersome to fabricate a replacement piece.
- In case of a house fire, a metal roof won’t burn but will heat up, making it more difficult to extinguish the fire inside.
Flat Roofs
Waterproofing and proper installation are especially important in flat roofs that don’t allow many opportunities for water runoff. There are several materials that can be used on flat roofs to ensure protection from the elements:
- EPDM is a man-made rubber roofing material that offers UV protection and durability. It also doesn’t pollute water runoff, which is perfect if you plan on collecting rain water.
- Modified bitumen singly-ply roofing is good at reflecting the sun, but wears out quickly under foot traffic.
- PVC-based flat roofing is very durable, but seams are its weak points.
- Spray-on silicone roof coatings are seamless and extremely water-resistant, but this comes at a price.
