Homeowners have a plethora of choices when it comes to roofing or re-roofing the home.  There is a multitude of different types of roof shingles on the market, with manufacturers trying desperately to convince the homeowner that their particular type is the very best choice.  What is it, really, that makes one shingle better than another?  This article will not make any attempt to sway a homeowner toward any one type of shingle, but will rather list the pros and cons of a wide number of roofing shingles types so the homeowner will be better equipped to make an informed decision.

So what are the choices in roofing shingle types that the homeowner is faced with? 

Asphalt is probably the type of shingle most often applied to individual homes with a steeped roof.  Wood shingles are another popular choice.  In certain situations, metal shingles are recommended, especially for very steeply sloped roofs or for very low-sloped roofs.  Slate shingles are very popular, particularly in the Northeast where the slate is quarried. Finally, there are tile shingles, very popular in the Southwest, especially on homes with that classic Spanish look. Each of these different types of shingles has its pros as well as its disadvantages.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular forms of roof material and it is not difficult to see why.  They are relatively inexpensive in fact, they cost half as much as some other choices and they are easy to install by either a moderately skilled homeowner or a roofing professional.  Many coated asphalt shingles meet certain Energy Star standards and actually qualify for a government rebate.

The three-tab asphalt shingles are not coated, making them faster and easier to install than their coated counterparts, and are one of the least expensive of the roofing alternatives available to the homeowner.  Asphalt shingles, especially the three-tab variety, have a useful life expectancy of anywhere from 15 to sometimes as long as 30 years, depending on weight.

Asphalt shingles are lightweight and easy to install, which can reduce installation costs.  They are also relatively easy to repair should something go wrong.  Another advantage to asphalt shingles is that they come in a variety of weights (higher weights lasting longer but costing more) and they come in a wide range of colors and patterns to go with almost any decorating style.  Many of the patterns on asphalt shingles are made to mimic other roofing materials, providing the homeowner with possibly the best all-around choice there is.

Homeowners considering asphalt shingles should immediately contact the experts at United Home Experts.  The shingle wizards at United Home Experts know everything there is to know about asphalt shingles and can give the homeowner a mountain of advice, free of charge and with no obligation.

If the homeowner wishes a professional to install a roof, the roofing experts at United Home Experts have many years of experience installing asphalt shingles and because they buy shingles in bulk they can give the homeowner the best deal in all of the Northeast.

Wood shingles are more costly than asphalt shingles.  Aesthetically, many people like the look of wood and wood shingles can sometimes enhance the value of a home, although because of the added fire danger of wood shingles, many homeowner’s associations ban wood as do some communities.  Hardwood shingles, those made of cedar or redwood, for example, provide good insulation and they can last as long as 50 years with only minimal attention.  Softer woods such as pine are less costly but do not last as long.  Wood comes in both shingles and shakes.  The primary difference between the two is that shingles are machine-made whereas shakes are hand cut.  One of the disadvantages to wood shingles is that they are not fire-resistant.  In fact, homeowners are advised to contact their homeowner’s insurance company to see if wood shingles will increase their fire coverage.

Metal shingles were once the almost exclusive province of the Northwest and the Rocky Mountains, but today they are making inroads in most parts of the country.  The only draw is that they can last 50 years or more.  Many people do not like the way they look, although paint can hide some of their features. They also tend to be noisy, and not only during hail and heavy rain; metal roofs may produce constant popping sounds as they expand in the heat and contract in the cold.  Metal shingles require an underlying insulation; however, even with the cost of the additional insulation added in, metal shingles can still be a very economical solution for many homeowners.

Slate shingles are extremely durable and long lasting.  Properly installed, slate shingles can easily last 50 years, perhaps longer.  Slate shingles can be difficult for a homeowner to self-install and there can be problems with the structure holding the weight of the slate and cause installation costs to sharply rise.  It is best for homeowners who wish to roof with slate to consult a roofing expert such as those at United Home Experts who have years of roofing experience to draw on.

Tile roofs are one of the most distinctive of the roof types.  These roofs are very popular in the southwest and are associated with classic Spanish-style homes.  Modern tiles can be made of either clay or concrete. Tile roofs are one of the strongest and most long-lasting of all roofing types.  It is not unusual for a tile roof to last for 50 years or more with only minor upkeep.  However, they are also difficult for the average homeowner to self-install, and they are heavy.  In fact, tile roofs are so heavy that unless the frame of the house has special supports to sustain the extra weight of the tiles, tile roofs can cause catastrophic failure of a home’s frame.  One of the other disadvantages of tile is the cost.  Compared with other roofing choices, especially asphalt, tiles roofs are one of the most expensive, not only to purchase initially, but also to repair.  Again, any questions about the appropriateness of a tile roof should be addressed to the roofing professionals at United Home Experts.

As stated earlier, homeowners have many choices when it comes to re-roofing a home, with one of the least expensive and fastest being asphalt shingles.  Hopefully this article has shed a little light on some of those choices and the inherent strengths and weaknesses of each type of roof.  It is highly recommended that homeowners who are seriously considering a new roof consult a roofing expert, such as those at United Home Experts, whether the homeowner intends to do the work him or herself, or if the homeowner plans to use the services of a professional roofing installer.

Every trade, every occupation, has its own lingo, its own way of expressing details which is designed to make the occupation seem at least somewhat mysterious and formidable to outsiders. This is certainly true of the roofing industry. Homeowners contemplating calling a roofing contractor may be slightly intimidated by not knowing the proper questions to ask or the right way to phrase some questions. Fear not. This article will lay out the very simple questions for roofing contractor that every homeowner needs to ask before signing a roofing contract.

1.) Make sure the company has a permanent address. That means more than a P.O. box or an email address. Look them up on line or in a phone directory. Make certain the address is not simply a mail drop, but an actual company address. Do not hesitate to drive by the location, or even to drop in for a chat. Find out how long they have been at the same address. If they have just moved into the location and have only been in business for a couple months or a year, red flags should go up. Here at United Home Experts, you can drive by our office and as you come, you will see our fleet of trucks and vans we use for our projects and as well see our main headquarters. With United, you never have to worry about promises that go unfulfilled.

2.) Ask to see copies of their workers’ compensation and liability insurance. If anything appears out of the ordinary, such as different names on the documents or a different address, raise those red flags because if your gut tells you something is fishy, then something probably is. Check out their insurance. Call their insurance broker. If the contractor is legitimate, they will not mind being checked at all. Only someone who is not legitimate is afraid of an investigation. The homeowner should go with his or her instincts.

3.) Ask if the contractor will be using any subcontractors and ask to see the liability and workers compensation insurance from the subcontractor.

4.) The homeowner needs the name of the person who will be overseeing the job on a regular basis. The homeowner should be able to call and talk to a specific individual who will be responsible for addressing any issues the homeowner has once the job begins.

5.) Ask when the job will begin and how long it will take. It is acceptable for the contractor to have a clause in a contract that says something to the effect of “weather-permitting”. A contractor cannot be held responsible for rain or other weather conditions that make roofing impossible. However, there should be an absolute end-date for the project and there should be penalties if the contractor cannot meet the deadline.

6.) Ask if the contractor is licensed as a roofer. Most states and even some cities require a roofing contractor to be licensed in order to perform work over a certain dollar figure. If your contractor fails to provide a license, check with local authorities to see if a license is required. Remember, a business license is not the same thing as a contractor’s license; a business license is for tax purposes and does not indicate that the contractor is qualified to roof a home. If a homeowner uses an unlicensed contractor and the job is less than satisfactory, the homeowner may have a hard time collecting any damages especially if the homeowner was aware of that fact ahead of time.

7.) References are essential. Hiring a roofing contractor who cannot provide several local references is an extremely unprofessional way to do business. Not only should the contractor have roofs in the area where they are operating, but finding people who have had a good experience with the contractor says a great deal. Keep in mind, however, that the contractor may be supplying the homeowner with a bogus list of happy customers the “customers” could be the contractor’s relatives or friends. Check with the BBB to see if there are any complaints against the contractor. Keep in mind that one or two negatives on an otherwise positive record may not be entirely the contractor’s fault. References need to be checked carefully.

8.) Along the same lines as references, ask if any of the contractor’s employees are certified. Employees who are certified in flat roofs or rubber roofs or other specialty jobs indicates a certain level of professionalism on the part of the contractor, but it can also be a requirement for certain types of roofs. Employee certification may be required for certain roofing warranties. If the homeowner is having any kind of specialty roof installed that requires professional installation, the homeowner should make certain that the contractor meets the requirements of the company supplying the roofing materials or the roofing materials may not be warranted. If you’re an Angie’s List member, see our reviews and you’ll find all “A” grades. If you don’t feel like going off the site, see all of our testimonials and reviews from our customers and how happy they are from hiring us.

9.) It is also important that a contractor warrant the work being performed. Naturally a warranty is only as good as the company backing it, but if the homeowner is dealing with a company that has been invested in a community for some time, then bad word of mouth can destroy the business, so under those conditions a warranty can be of immense value. United backs all of our work including labor, so if anything isn’t up to par years later, you can be rest assured we’ll take care of you and back our work.

10.) Ask about permits required. Different communities have different permits required for a wide variety of construction jobs. Failing to get a required permit before beginning a roofing job can result in a tangle of red tape as well as fines. Make certain the contractor checks for needed permits and obtains them before beginning the job. United services all of the Central and Eastern Massachusetts area so we know exactly what permits, licenses are needed to complete a job, whether it be residential, in the city or a historical property.

There are a lot of questions that a contractor needs to be asked, but keep in mind that a roofing job represents a great deal of money and the homeowner has every right to proceed with caution. Legitimate contractors never object to any digging the homeowner does. Before beginning any job of this nature it is also an excellent idea to talk with the people at United Home Experts. The roofing professionals at UHE are happy to answer any questions a homeowner has about roofing. Keep in mind that because United Home Experts is one of the largest roofing companies in the Northeast, their recommendations are never based on the fact that they must “push” any one manufacturer’s products; their recommendations are completely unbiased. For more information on our roofing services, visit our main roofing page!