How to Get the Best Roofing Shingle for Your Budget!

How to Get the Best roofing Shingle for Your Budget!

It doesn't matter whether you're in Santa Fe or Long Island; roofing contractors on Long Island have a staggering array of choices when it comes to shingling your home.  The ultimate choice, of course, is up to you, but as experts in their field, your roofing contractor will be able to guide you toward the best solution for your particular needs, part of the country, and climate.

Broadly speaking, there are four basic types of shingling materials.  Asphalt, Slate/Tile, Metal, or Synthetic, and of course, beneath each of these broad categories are dozens (or more!) varieties, makes, and models.

Asphalt shingles are far and away the most commonly seen, and most popular type of shingles, and these come in two basic varieties.  You've got laminated (“Architectural”) and “dimensional.”  Dimensional shingles are interesting because they are layered, and their thickness and depth make them look more like slate or wood shakes. Three-tab asphalt shingles, though similarly priced, are made in a single layer. They're flatter and thinner than laminated shingles.   Unfortunately, they don't seem to hold up as well over the course of time.  Still, asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, and can provide an attractive look without breaking the bank, so if money is a factor, this is almost surely the way to go.  The one caveat to that is if you live in an area that is prone to high winds, you may want to rethink this type of shingling solution, as they are very susceptible to the effects of wind.

Slate or Tile Shingles are enormously expensive, but durable in most cases.  These will likely last longer than your house!  The one thing they aren’t vulnerable to, however, are impacts so if you live in an area prone to hail or in a heavily forested area where falling limbs could be an issue, then slate could wind up costing you big sums of money over the course of your ownership of the home (not to mention the fact that when you install a new slate tile to replace a damaged one, it sticks out like a sore thumb because the new tile is not sun-faded and won’t match).  In any case, they’re beautiful and durable.  They are worth considering in many cases.  

In between these two extremes are your metal roofs and synthetic tiles.  Synthetic tiles look a lot like slate, but are only a fraction of the cost.  They have all the same basic advantages and disadvantages.  Metal roofs are interesting because they are extremely good at the deflection of heat.  If you live in a warm, sunny area that sees extremely high temperatures in the summertime, you will want to strongly consider a metal roof even if it’s a bit more than the asphalt shingles.  

Ultimately, the final decision is yours but do talk to your roofing contractor!   Get his expert opinion on the matter.  The guys who install them for a living are usually the best and most knowledgeable people to ask for a recommendation.  A reputable Long Island roofing contractor won’t risk his hard-won reputation by steering you wrong, so you’ll be able to buy with confidence.