What Are The Different Types of Roofing Shingles?

Roofing is an integral part of any building, whether commercial or residential. It can also protect against rain, sleet, and other adverse conditions and efficiently control air and water flow. Besides its many practical benefits, roofing also improves the aesthetics of a home while being durable enough to withstand even the harshest environments, keeping the interior of your out-building safe and secure. 

Roof shingles are the most popular choice for garden sheds and outhouses today due to their ease of installation. In addition, various types, colours, and styles of roofing shingles are available today, making it easy for you to find the perfect shingle to cap off your garden shed roof. 

What Are The Different Types of Roofing Shingles? The Pros and Cons of Each

Bitumen roof shingles

Bitumen roof shingles use fibreglass as reinforcement and are the most well-known roof shingles used today. Many homeowners prefer this roofing material because it is a great, cost-effective option compared to other roof shingles. Besides, they are also known for their durability and fire-resistant properties.

Bitumen shingles can typically last for about 20 to 40 years while withstanding various weather conditions. So, if you live in a temperate climate, then bitumen shingles are the perfect choice for your home. You can also find bitumen shingles in various colours and shapes, such as square, round, and hexagonal.

Bitumen shingles are generally easy to install and do not require much maintenance. But they attract moss and dew, so proper care is needed to enjoy their benefits.

Metal roof shingles

As the name suggests, these roofing shingles are made from metal. They are usually made from aluminium or steel but can also be made from copper or other heavy metals. Metal Shingles have excellent durability and long-lasting performance, making them a popular choice for buildings in areas with uncertain weather conditions, such as hail, winds, storms, snowfall, etc. They are also fire-resistant, energy-efficient, and better at reflecting heat, which can help to keep your home cool in the summer. If cooling is of importance, please read Cool Roofs | Department of Energy. This government article outlines the benefits of a cool-coloured metal metal roof.

However, metal roof shingles can be more expensive than other types of roofing and may require unique installation. The weight of these shingles can also make them challenging to work with if you’re replacing an old roof or adding a new one to your house. In addition, metal shingles are often anchored down with heavy-duty clips that will stay put through windy weather, so it is best if you hire a professional company when installing this type of roofing.

Wood roof shingles

These premium types of roofing shingles are made using treated woods like pine, spruce, or the more common and durable cedar. They are generally brown, but wood shingles can change to metallic grey the first year after installation. They’re also quite energy efficient, naturally retaining heat and preventing drafts and cold weather from entering interior parts of your buildings. Furthermore, its natural preservatives protect wood shingles against rotting, harmful UV rays, and insect damage. They are also less susceptible to shrinking or expanding in different weather conditions. On average, a wood shingle roof has a life expectancy of 30 years.

Cedar roof shingles are one of the most popular wood shingles in the UK. They are an excellent alternative roofing choice for logs, cabins, and garden outbuildings since they don’t require a lot of upkeep. Cedar wood shingles also have one of the most extended lifespans, with up to 50 years of weather protection. Cedar Shingles contain a lot of natural oils; it can resist weather degradation, wood splitting, and burrowing insect infestation – you don’t need to treat cedar or apply chemical finishes.

Choosing the proper roofing shingles

While there are many types of roofing shingles, choosing the right type will mostly depend on your needs, budget, and geographical conditions in your region. Besides general climatic conditions and your budget, you should also consider the age and potential value, the age and condition of your roof, and local building regulations when choosing roof shingles. Moreover, wide varieties are available with recent technological advances, so you can choose roofing shingles depending on what you want, including colour, quality, design, shape, and durability. 

If you are looking for the cheapest option or working on a moderate budget, consider purchasing three-tab or Bitumen shingles - these are aesthetically pleasing and can easily last 20 to 30 years. They are not only affordable but also easy to install. 

If you have the budget, you can choose to install metal or Wooden shingles. The superior environmental impact of wooden shingles should also be something to take into consideration. Aesthetically wooden shingles look great when the environment around the shed or outbuilding is surrounded by nature. Wooden shingles can often be seen on log cabins. On the other hand, Metal shingles can show a clean & symmetrical finish. Metal shingles are brought in an extensive range of colours.

When installing roof shingles, you should always hire professionals since incorrect installation techniques can damage the shingles leading to leakage and posing other health and safety risks.

What are the longest-lasting roof shingles?

Roof shingles typically have a different life span depending on the type of material and the quality of the material being used. Metal roofing is commonly guaranteed for 40 years but is known to exceed lifespans of up to 70 years; please see Britmet’s popular metal shingle range brochure for reference –“Guaranteed for 40 years against weather penetration”.

Wood shingles are eco-friendly alternatives that provide up to 50 years of reliable protection against the weather. The manufacturer Marley references the following statement on their website “Durable & hardwearing – Life expectancy of up to 50 years”.

Bitumen roof shingles have the shortest lifespan of any other shingle type, averagely lasting about 20 to 30 years. JJ Roofing Supplies mostly stocks Technonicol, which notes the following statement on its website “We give an official warranty of 10 to 60 years on our flexible shingles, depending on its series”.

Get the perfect roof for your shed or outbuilding at JJ Roofing Supplies

Everyone wants a well-structured roof that does not leak and protects their shed/outbuilding from harsh outdoor conditions. Therefore, selecting the right roofing shingles is essential to create that perfect dream home that is long-lasting, weatherproof, and waterproof for many years. 

Are you looking for a specific type of roofing shingles? Then, please browse our selection of roofing and felt shingles that are forever growing and changing to reflect current trends. With many options available, you’re sure to find roof shingles that fulfil your exact requirements.