A home needs high-quality roofing to keep it as secure as possible and to protect it from a variety of damage types. However, which of the available roof shingles Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA has to offer are best for protecting a home? Let’s take a look at four of the most common types available on the market and their benefits and disadvantages. Doing so should help you make a wise and informed decision.

Wood Roofing – Pros and Cons

First of all, let’s take a look at wood roofing to get an idea of what is available on the market. This option typically includes standard shingle choices and shake options. Shakes are usually made from hand-cut pieces of wood and are more substantial, sturdier, and capable of withstanding more damage. They are more expensive than shingle options, though, so keep that in mind before making a purchase.

For example, wood roofing is machine-cut to produce very clear edges and a smooth surface. Just as importantly, they are carefully fit to specific homes to create a high-quality look that enhances its overall beauty in a variety of ways. Just as importantly, these roofing materials are also relatively inexpensive, as long as you focus on shingles rather than shakes for your home or facility.

Impressively, these wood roofing options are also capable of lasting 5-10 years and can protect from multiple types of weathering concerns. The main disadvantage of this option is the overall cost – which can be quite high in many situations. And repairs on these roofing materials are typically quite costly, which means it may be hard for some homeowners on a limited budget to pay for them.

Asphalt Roofing – Pros and Cons

Asphalt shingles were once one of the most popular options on the market and remain an excellent choice for a large number of reasons. First of all, they are adaptable to many different home styles and looks, which makes them easy to adapt to unique situations. They are also available in many different colors, which helps to make them even more stylish for homes and even business buildings.

Even better, most asphalt roofing is quite inexpensive and easy to install – as a result, many homeowners may have the skills to install them on their own home without the help of professionals. And many asphalt options can withstand wind speeds as high as 130 miles per hour, depending on the strength of the individual shingles, which varies depending on the quality option purchased by the homeowner.

Problems that may affect asphalt include a relatively low lifespan – some may last as short as 10-12 years before they fail. Their structure often depends on how well a person takes care of them. Regular maintenance does help in this situation, thankfully. However, rapid and unexpected temperature changes can also cause damage to asphalt that is hard to reverse and which may cause more problems than usual.

Tesla Roofing – Pros and Cons

Tesla solar tiles have been designed to meet a variety of different purposes and serve homeowners in many unique ways. For example, solar roofs capture sunlight and convert it into electricity and heat energy. This benefit helps people to save a lot of money on their energy bills, as the converted energy can be stored in batteries and used when it is genuinely needed to decrease these costs.

People who install these tiles often receive tax credits for at least 30 percent of the installation costs. But are they strong enough to withstand various types of wind, rain, and weathering conditions? Most of the time, yes, they are firm but not among the most reliable and most durable options available on the market.

The main disadvantage of these shingles is the price. Roofing tiles of this type often cost as much as $22 to $38 per square foot to install. That cost is very high, particularly for those who don’t have a lot of money to spend. The protection level of this roofing option is also lower than this price may indicate, which is vital to consider before installing this type of roof on a home.

Slate Roofing – Pros and Cons

Lastly, slate shingles are an excellent choice for a large number of situations. Slate is built out of durable stone materials that help to make it among the most reliable type on the market. This material is not only quite durable but is among the most lightweight for its strength and protection level. As a result, a homeowner’s roof can be lighter than usual and avoid severe damage that may be caused by some other types of roofing materials.

Even better, slate is a very green roofing material – after all, it comes from stones, which are very common and easy to process. And once these items have been removed from a roof, they can be recycled and turned into more. As a result, slate is an excellent choice for those with a stable home who not only want to save money but who want to protect the environment from severe damage.

However, slate does have disadvantages. First of all, while this material is light among stone roofing options, slate is still quite substantial. As a result, a roof of about 100 square feet weighs about 1,500 pounds. That kind of pressure may wear down a roof and cause damage to the interior. Slate is also harder to install than some types of roofing options, which means its trickier to maintain in some instances. Only professionals should attempt this type of installation.

Finding the Best Roofing Options Available

So if you’re interested in high-quality shingles in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA, please contact us at Community Builders Supply Co. to learn more about what we have to offer. Our professionals can help you find high-quality roofing at reasonable prices. Just as importantly, we can install it on your home and perform various forms of maintenance to ensure that it remains stable and reliable for years to come.