What’s the Best Roofing Shingle for Your Home?

When it’s time to re-roof, sometimes the many choices of roofing shingles leaves homeowners wondering which one is best for their home.

While different materials may be better suited for different climates or the geographic location of your home, in most cases it’s really up to the homeowner to decide which shingle option best suits their purposes.

It’s important to note that the least expensive shingle is not necessarily the best choice, even if spending as little as possible is your only goal. When you include increased maintenance, repair and replacement costs, low-cost shingles are sometimes the most expensive option.

To help you choose, here’s a listing of the more common roofing shingles in Canada and some of their advantages and disadvantages:

• Asphalt Shingles – Asphalt shingles are found on about 80% of Canadian homes. Asphalt shingles can range in price from relatively inexpensive to relatively expensive. But lower cost shingles generally come with shorter guarantees.

• Fibreglass Shingles – Asphalt shingles have a ‘mat’ layer. When that mat is made of fiberglass, the shingles are called fiberglass shingles. The fiberglass mats make the shingles more durable and fire resistant.

• Wood Shakes and Shingles – The original roofing shingle, wood has been used as a roofing material for thousands of years. Made from different woods, including pine and cedar, wood shingles tend to be a more expensive option, particularly because of a longer installation process. But they are also one of the most eco-friendly roofing materials.

• Slate Shingles – Usually the most expensive shingle, slate’s high cost is offset by the fact that slate roofs can last over 100 years, and they have strong wind resistance and low water absorption.

Considering that the most expensive shingle, slate, might be your least expensive roofing option (when you include lower maintenance, repair and replacement costs) clearly it’s up to the homeowner to decide which is the best roofing shingle for his or her home.