What are the Differences Between Asphalt, Fiberglass, and Tin Roof Shingles?

Not many homeowners are aware of the diversity when it comes to the materials on their roof. While it is true that they may have some knowledge, it is also true that they also do may not be as knowledgeable as they could be when it comes to what a roof is constructed from. There are over a dozen varieties of shingles on a roof, and three of these will be analyzed and discussed in this article: Asphalt, Fiberglass, and Tin.

Asphalt Roof Shingles

Across all the varieties of roof shingles, asphalt are the most common. They are the most common because they are easy and cheap to install and also because they come in a plethora of designs.

Because they are so common, it is very easy to have these installed. Nearly any roofer, from Plano TX to Boston MA, will be able to install, work on, repair, or replace asphalt shingles. And because they are so cheap to maintain and easy to install, most roofers can be finished installing asphalt shingles in a matter of hours. Additionally, they can keep a house cool by deflecting UV rays. This is very important for anybody who lives in hot climates year-round.

You do get what you pay for with asphalt shingles, however, so they do not last long. They only last an average of 20 years, with many repairs likely needing to be done within that time frame. Additionally, if you live around a lot of trees, the limbs and branches from them can easily damage the asphalt shingles. This is also a cause of constant repair. If you live in a dry area where there is a small chance of outside impact on your roof, it would be ideal to install asphalt shingles. They will keep the house cooler and will be much cheaper to maintain.

Fiberglass Roof Shingles

A variation of asphalt shingles are fiberglass shingles. These are a bit more expensive than asphalt shingles, but last a bit longer and are resistant to even more things than asphalt shingles. Similar to asphalt shingles, fiberglass shingles will reflect UV rays. But because fiberglass is not flammable, they are also somewhat fire-resistant as well. They are not completely fire resistant because they are combined with asphalt shingles, which are flammable, but they provide a bit more protection from fire than standard asphalt shingles.

As mentioned previously, fiberglass shingles do cost more money than traditional asphalt shingles. To provide some perspective, asphalt shingles can be installed for as low as $1700. Fiberglass shingles can be installed starting at $3800 on average. However, because they cost a little more, fiberglass shingles also last a little longer, about ten or so years longer than asphalt shingles do. They are also slightly more durable than asphalt shingles. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on a roof but also want more protection than asphalt shingles, then install fiberglass shingles.

Tin Roof Shingles

The first thing to know about tin shingles is that they are made of metal. Roofs that are made of metal last incredibly long, in particular, because they can obviously absorb a lot of impact and exposure to outside elements. Any metal roof, tin included, can last as long as fifty years. This makes metal roofs a very good long-term investment that will provide almost maximum peace of mind when it comes to any homeowner’s roof.

Tin shingles can and will protect your roof from nearly anything and everything. However, because metal absorbs heat and doesn’t reflect it, tin shingles can and will increase the temperature of the house. However, there are now options to modify most tin roofs to not absorb so much heat. Additionally, installing a tin roof is deceptively expensive. Because the procedures of building and installing tin shingles is much different than the procedures involving any other kind of roof, not only does it cost more money, it also takes a lot of time.

How much money and how much time would something like this cost? Around $10 per square foot across a few days. But the price is well worth it, especially if you live in an area that encounters a lot of intense weather. Installing a tin roof in a place that experiences a lot of hurricanes, for instance, will save thousands in the long run, as asphalt and even fiberglass shingles are not nearly as durable as tin shingles.

After learning that there are so many kinds of shingles that can be placed and installed on a roof, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. So the best way to go about choosing which shingles are right for your home is to go through a simple checklist, and always seek consultation from a roofing company near you.

First, you should determine how long you will stay in the home. Remember that different shingles have different lifespans. For example, if you plan to stay in your home for over 20 years, it would not make sense to install asphalt shingles, as they last a maximum of 20 years. But if you are planning to move within 10 years, it would probably not make sense to install tin shingles that last a really long time.

Second, take a look at what is surrounding your roof as well as the consistency of the weather in your area. Is it underneath a lot of tree branches and other things that can fall and damage the roof? Are you in an area that experiences hurricanes every fall? Answering these questions will also determine what kind of roof you should have installed.

These are considerations that many do not think about. And because they do not think about these kinds of things when installing a new roof, they either spend a lot more money than they need to on installing a roof, or they end up getting a roof installed that they then need to replace or make constant repairs on. These descriptions of these three types of roofs are designed to get you to think about which kind is best for you in the short term or in the long term.