Introducing Asphalt Roof Shingles – Are They Right For You?
When it comes to roofing material, there are many kinds. There are so many, in fact, that people are often thrown into confusion when it’s time to make the final decision. Hesitations like “Is this the right choice?” or “Won’t I regret it later?” keeps popping up to no end. But really, if you’re thinking like that, no one can blame you. It’s a big spend; it’s important that you get it right the first time.
So to help you make the right choice, we thought we’d whip up this quick guide concerning one of the more important parts of the roof – the shingles.
If you’re not too familiar with them yet, shingles are the brick-looking plates layered on top of the roof (read more). They’re basically what you see as the physical body of the roof. Unsurprisingly, they also do the most important job of all which is to act as the first layer of defense of our homes. During summer, they make sure that they deflect the sun’s rays as much as they can. During winter, they see to it that the heat inside the house won’t escape so easily. During fall, they protect the interior of the house from getting cluttered with falling debris. And when spring comes – well, the spring season is the mellowest out of all the seasons so roofs aren’t subdued to much stress but still, they function as good cover for the midday heat.
Whichever way you look at it, roofs play a very important role in our lives. It’s a shame that we tend to underappreciate what they do for us though. Maybe we just get so used to seeing the roof of our house that we can’t even bring ourselves to pay attention anymore. That’s the thing with regular exposure, you see. The more you get to see something; the less it seems important. That’s why we end up taking advantage of things that have been with us for a very long time – then again, let’s save that talk for another day.
Going back to roof shingles, if you really want to choose right the first time, you have to be extra observant when it comes to “signals.” Don’t worry. Instead of letting you blindly search for these signals, we’ll give you a couple of tips on what to look for exactly. Starting with:
Quality Material
An excellent product is always derived from the best materials. And this just doesn’t go for roofs. Almost every quality product in the market starts with good ingredients. A scrumptious dish starts with fresh produce. Good clothes start with quality fabric. Also, I bet all of you can relate when I say that the best coffee is brewed from the finest beans. When it comes to roof shingles, asphalt is always the one best choice. Luckily, there’s not just one roofing company offering them; there are many.
If you need a material that’s durable, resilient, long-lasting, and elegant, asphalt shingles will meet your expectations just fine. There are other options like metal shingles, terracotta, and whatnot. But upon searching the market thoroughly for ideal options, asphalt wins easily.
Realistic Cost
Another thing you should look at when deciding which roofing material to buy is price. Mind you, I’m not saying you should go for the cheapest kinds. What good will cheap materials do if you have to replace them after just several months or a few years of use? It definitely defeats the purpose of everything. When you think “roofing material,” it is ideal to think long-term. You will have it installed in your house, after all. So if you’re not planning to change residences in a few years’ time, it would be wise to plan ahead. Check out more information about asphalt shingles here: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/pros-and-cons-of-asphalt-shingles-844652.
With all that being said, you should look for roofing materials that are fairly priced. It could be that your choice costs a little more than the ordinary but if it’s guaranteed to last for a very, very long time, then what’s wrong with spending a couple hundred dollars more? Anyway, weigh the true value of materials based on usefulness and longevity. For all you know, what seems like an astronomical value to invest now may turn out to be a total bargain in the long run.
