How Different Climates Affect Your Shingles

One of the unsung heroes for a homeowner is a roof, but more importantly, the shingles on the roof. Without shingles on your roof, you just have a bunch of nice wood planks left exposed to all the elements.

But how do you know what type, style and material of shingle you should have?

Any reputable roofing company will tell you that the climate in which you live will be a big deciding factor when looking for the perfect shingles for your home. In this article, we will go over what shingles work best in various climates. This will make choosing your new roof a whole lot easier!

What Shingles Work Best In Hot Climates?

The main thing you need out of your roof in hot climates is the ability to reflect heat. This will help keep your home cool by controlling the harshness of the sun rays from seeping inside.

Terracotta and clay are great material choices for hot weather. They are heat-resistant and extremely durable. Not only are they strong and dependable, but they can be very aesthetically pleasing, adding a nice zest to the outside appearance of your home.

Another great material for your shingles is slate tiles. This is a natural material that is often requested by homeowners who value the vintage look. The lighter colored slate tiles help to reflect the heat, while darker colored tiles absorb it, Make sure that you have a balanced amount of each. Keep in mind that the prices for slate tiles might be more than other options.

Metal sheets, contrary to popular belief, are great options for roofing material in hotter climates. They are extremely durable. If you choose a lighter color of metal, the shingles will efficiently resist heat without letting the sun rays in. They are also a great option for the budget-savvy homeowner; they will quickly pay for themselves in their performance.

What Shingles Work Best In Cold Climates?

Now that we’ve covered options for hot climates, it’s time to see what materials hold up best in cold climates.

Asphalt is a common roofing material seen in colder climate areas, because it maintains its structural integrity so well against the colder elements. If your roof does incur damage, it is very easy for a professional to replace the damaged shingles. If you decide to go with an asphalt material, make sure you talk to us about impact-resistant shingles, so you can really get more bang for your buck.

Composite shingles are a lightweight alternative to a slate and cedar shake that is becoming quite popular. So long as you have a great foundation on your house, this type of material will offer more than enough reinforcement to your roof. It will keep you and your family safe and warm in the colder climates.

We didn’t forget about wood shingles. This type of shingle is often used in cold climates, because it can provide twice the amount of insulation that an asphalt roof does. Wood shingle material will last about 25 years, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it for quite some time.

Wood shake roofs are also a great material to use in cold climates. Because wood shakes are even thicker than wood, they will be able to resist stronger winds, rain and hailstones better than another roof material. Wood shake roofs last up to about 35 to 40 years if maintained properly.

Shingle Maintenance

As with any roof shingles, you need to take care of them with annual or biannual inspections and regular maintenance. Clear your gutters and regularly make sure no pests have made themselves at home. By doing these things, you will get the most life out of your roof system, no matter what type of climate you live in.

What are you waiting for?

Call Beneficial Roofing today to find out how we can help you choose the right material for your roof.

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Roof Shingles Care and Maintenance

Your roof is a major part of your home’s value. One of the most important things you as a homeowner can do is make sure that your roof is properly maintained.

Perform annual or biannual inspections to assess how well the integrity of the roof is holding up. You also want to check for missing or damaged shingles and look for anything that might cause problems down the road. Potential problems would be low-hanging branches or clogged gutters.

However, it is important to remember that not every roof is the same as far as maintenance goes. Different roofing materials require different types of attention to maintain.

In this article we will discuss the most common types of shingle materials used and how to make sure you get your money’s worth out of them by taking care of them.

Asphalt Shingles

The most common material used for roof shingles, depending on location, is asphalt. Economical and typically low-maintenance, they are unfortunately susceptible to a lot of weather conditions. Without a protective coating, enough exposure to the sun can speed up the cracking and decaying process. Hail is another environmental nuisance causing granules to be knocked off and leaving marks and dents in the roof.  Wind can rip shingles from the roof, leaving the roof open to damage from the elements. Asphalt shingles require a protective UV coating and a flexible base to protect them from sun and wind damage.

 

Wood Shingles

While this material requires more upkeep than other shingles, it is highly sought after due to the wonderful aesthetic they bring with them.This type of shingle needs to be made with a strong type of wood, like redwood or cedar. A few things you need to consider before opting for this type of roof:

 

• the quality of lumber
• average humidity in your area
• how close you are to saltwater
• qualified wood shingle roof installer

All these factors can either make or break your wood-shingled roof. Wood shingles need to be pressure-treated and maintained with sealants or coatings that protect against constant exposure to sun and rain. Without that protection, sun rays can cause your wood shingles to cup or curl. This can lead to fractures. If properly looked after, these shingles can last 10-15 years longer than your typical asphalt shingles.

Tile Shingles

This sturdy, long-lasting contender can take on the damage that the sun, rain and wind can dish out. While concrete and stone tiles are typically more durable, porcelain and clay tiles can become fragile and break in a hailstorm or high winds. Clay tiles don’t keep well in colder climates that see a lot of snow and ice. They do hold up well in higher temperatures with a lot of sunshine, however. This makes them more popular in the arid climates like the southwest U.S. In order to have a healthy tile roof, you need to make sure the tiles are properly installed.  Hire a professional  familiar with weight restrictions and architectural structures that can hold these heavy shingles. The tiles themselves can last upwards of 50 years, however the basal layer needs to be replaced about every 10 years to prevent cracking and leaking in the roof.

Slate Shingles

This material can withstand high winds, keep the rain and moisture out of your attic and even repel hail. These traits make them one of the most durable types of roof shingles out there. Because these shingles are heavy, they will require a very skilled roofing installer to make sure they are done correctly. They will need extra architectural reinforcement due to their weight. You will need to have these checked regularly and fix any problems immediately, in order to maintain the durability and long life of your slate roof.

Metal Shingles

As can be expected, metal roofs are one of the most durable roof systems you can have. Their ability to keep out moisture and rain, along with their ability to reflect heat rays from the sun makes them a popular choice. Hail and wind are the enemies of the metal roof.  Hail can dent your metal roof, while wind can cause even more damage to metal roofing than a typical asphalt roof,  if the metal roofing is not installed properly.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shingles and knowing how to maintain them can be tricky. Don’t worry! We have experts standing by who can help with all of your roofing questions. If you have questions about types of materials for your shingles, contact us today! We would be more than happy to help you on your roofing journey.

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Flashing for Your Roof

Whenever you get your roof fixed or have a new one installed you need to make sure that not only are the shingles installed properly, but also the flashing. Shingles are the first line of defense against the harsh UV rays.  In the same way, your flashing is the first line of defense against moisture and water damage.  In this article we will talk about what roof flashing is, why it’s important and what damages can occur if your flashing is neglected or not properly installed.

What is Flashing?

Roof flashing is a roll of thin metal. It’s made to withstand all weather conditions, including high wind and excessive rain. Flashing can be made from several types of metal including copper, aluminum, galvanized steel and lead. During the roofing process, it is rolled out into place and sealed. Flashing ensures that no water can get into your roof and damage it. The way flashing works is relatively simple: it collects pooling water and channels it away from where it was pooling. All types of flashing work in basically the same way.

What Does it Do?

Roof flashing is very important because it helps to close joints in walls or roofing applications. This makes sure no water is able to seep into materials used in the construction of your roof. The most typical places you’ll find flashing is around valleys, vents and skylights. Installing flashing is a key process in roofing. If done correctly, it can help lengthen the lifespan of your roof and the lumber supporting your roof. Once installed, quality flashing will continue to protect your roof for a long time.

 

 

Flashing: Valleys and Chimneys

 

Valleys

A valley in your roof is the area where one slope of the roof joins another. This creates a low area on the surface of the roof–a valley.  Valley flashing is installed under the shingles of the roof at the edges.  The flashing leads down to a gutter close by. Water will drain from the shingles into the valley. From here, it flows down the flashing metal, to the gutter and out the spout. Valley flashing streamlines the way your roof protects against water.

 

 

Chimneys

Chimneys are very common areas where water can get into your home. Flashing around chimneys has to be completely water-tight. Your roofer will place smaller, L-shaped metal pieces between shingle courses all along the chimney. Atop the chimney, a cricket–sometimes referred to as a saddle roof–is built. This helps create a slope to keep water from pooling behind the chimney.  Flashing covers the cricket, running along the shingle run above. This cover is mortared into the chimney itself, creating a water tight lock. Counter flashing is mortared along the sides into the brick or stone and run down the step of flashing. Lastly, flashing is mortared in the front of the chimney, at the lowest point of the roof. This flashing is placed flush on top of the next shingle course, so water will run down away from the chimney.

 

What Happens When Flashing Doesn’t Work?

Since flashing is what keeps your roof safe from water damage, its safe to say that without it your roof would suffer from water damage. Roof rot, mold, mildew and even broken beams can be a result of poor flashing. Also, damaged or improperly installed flashing on your roofs eaves will cause water damage on your exterior walls as water seeps into the inner workings of your wall. Without properly installed flashing, you as a homeowner could be looking at getting a whole new roof, having to re-plaster and paint your inside walls and ceiling due to water damage.

Don’t let water damage from poor flashing ruin your new year! Contact us today so we can help you make sure your roof flashing is water-tight and ready!

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