Planning a roof remodel is no easy task. There are plenty of roofing types to choose from and lots of things to consider when it comes to building or remodeling your roof. First and foremost, you will need to determine what kind of shingles to install. The most popular roof type that homeowners consider is a composition roof. In fact, composition roofs make up just under 85% of all home roofing systems. If you have been looking at a variety of different roofing materials, or you are not sure which one to ultimately pick, keep reading to find out why a composition roof may be the best choice for your household.
What is a Composition Roof?
Before we go over the advantages of composition roofs, let’s discuss exactly what a composition roof is. These shingles are composite products made from multiple materials, rather than a single piece of material, like wood or metal. Thus, the term ‘composition’ is used to describe them. Typically, composite shingles will be made up of a mixture of slate, wood, laminate, and fiberglass. Once installed, they usually imitate a specific material and appear far more expensive than they actually are.
Composition roofs generally come in three different types: 3-tab shingles, laminate shingles, and architectural shingles. 3-tab shingles are the least expensive roofing systems you can purchase and are also the easiest to maintain. They are made up of three individual tabs that are about 12 inches wide.
Laminate shingles are nearly identical to 3-tab shingles, except they are considered an upgrade from 3-tab shingles since they feature a second layer fused at the base of the shingle. This layering structure doubles its thickness and increases its overall durability. Laminate shingles will also typically have more extended warranties than 3-tab shingles.
Architectural shingles are the best form of composite shingles you can purchase. They are usually larger than 3-tab and laminated shingles. These shingles also come with better warranties and additional features, such as moss resistant coatings.
9 Benefits of Composition Roofs
No matter which type of composition roof style you choose, you are guaranteed to reap the benefits. There are several reasons why composition roof styles continue to be the number one choice for homeowners that are renovating or remodeling their roofs. Check out the top 7 benefits of composition roofs described below:
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- Long-Lasting
One of the best things about choosing a composition roof is longevity. Composition roofs usually last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, while some can last as long as 30 to 50 years or more. You may even find certain composite shingles that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. Regardless, you can count on composition roofs to last.
- Cost-Effective
For how long these roof types last, their price is incredibly reasonable. You can install a composition roof for around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the specific materials used and the size of your home. The average cost of a complete composite shingle installation is just over $7,000. Compared to other roofing options, composition roofs offer the best deal in terms of getting the most for your money.
- Variety and Style Choices
As mentioned above, composite shingles come in three main types. In addition to being able to choose between one of three types, you also have your pick of different colors and styles. When it comes to your home’s exterior appearance, you want to have as many options as possible to choose from. Did you know that your roof alone accounts for 40% of your home’s visual appeal? The color you pick is worthy of careful consideration. If you choose composition shingles, you can choose between all shades of brown, black, grey, white, blue, green, and every color in between.
- Environmentally Friendly
Composition roofs are great if you want to ‘go green’ and help the environment.
Most composite roof materials are made with paper backing and manufactured using recycled materials. This makes them environmentally-friendly. Fiberglass composite roofs are generally not nearly as environmentally-friendly, but luckily, you always have the option to choose a paper backing if going green is important to you.
- Damage Resistant
Composite shingles are incredibly durable. Their tough exterior makes them resistant to impact damages from hail, rain, heavy snowfall, and wind. For any homeowner, knowing that your roof shingles will last through the winter or rainy season is critical for peace of mind and cost-savings. With composite shingles, you can rest easy knowing that your roof will remain intact through all kinds of inclement weather.
These types of shingles are also resistant to fading. Other roofing materials can have their colors fade over time due to sun exposure. With composite materials, however, you can count on them resisting the sun’s harmful effects and know that they will continue to look beautiful for decades.
- Highly Flame-Resistant
Not all roofing materials are built the same, especially when it comes to fire-resistance. To help protect your home, going with fire-resistant composite shingles can help reduce the spread of fire from both interior or exterior sources. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to ensure that the composite shingles you choose have a Class A fire rating. Since not all composite shingles are made from the same mix of materials, they will all have differing levels of flame resistance.
- Easy to Replace
Even though composite shingles are highly durable and can stand up to inclement weather, there may come a time when you may need to replace a shingle or a section of shingles. Luckily, composite shingles are easy to replace. Due to the way they are layered and structured, it is easy to have a small portion of them replaced or even just one or two at a time.
- Replace Your Current Roofing Shingles Easily
One of the best perks about composite style roofs is the fact that they can typically be installed over your old roofing material. For example, if you have a roof that is currently covered in a single layer of asphalt shingles, composition shingles can be placed right on top. Most of the time, you can expect the removal of old roofing materials to cost anywhere from $2 to over $100 per square foot. With a composite roof, you can potentially save on these removal costs.
- Little Maintenance Required
Composition style roofs are highly resistant to mold, algae, and stains. Homeowners can expect to spend only a small portion of time every year cleaning or maintaining their roof if they choose composite shingles of any type. A power wash every so often is likely all that will be needed to keep your roof looking clean and neat.
The Downsides of Composition Roofs
To help you make the best decision for your home roof, you should also be aware of the downsides of composition roofs. Not all homes or households will benefit from these types of shingles, so it is important to be mindful of some of the cons. To help you make the most informed choice, be sure to consider why composition roofs may not be the best option.
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- Hefty Investment
Composite shingles are far more expensive than asphalt shingles and other types. They are considered an investment financially since they will cost you quite a bit upfront to install but are likely to last longer than other roofing shingles. Although they are more cost-effective in the long run, you will need to consider setting aside additional funds for a composition roof compared to different styles.
- Hefty Investment
- You May Need to Add Certain Finishes
Although composite shingles are generally quite resistant to mold and mildew build-up, you may still need to invest in finishes that will help detract moisture. Depending on whether or not you live in a humid climate, be sure to ask your roofer what they recommend to help keep mold away from your shingles year-round.
Hire an Experienced Roofing Contractor in Portland Today!
Whether you are looking to install a composition style roof or any other type of roof that best suits your style and budget, you will need an experienced contractor to help you. It is not recommended to try and tackle a roofing project on your own, even if you just need a shingle or two replaced. Roofing repairs or replacements can be dangerous if attempted by novice workers or homeowners with no prior experience. It can be easy to hurt yourself, especially if you have a steep or oddly shaped roof. Make sure you hire a roofing company that has plenty of experience and is willing to work with you long-term to do any necessary maintenance.
Are you looking for a roofer in the Portland-metro area? Tom Leach Roofing is here to help! We have over 30 years of experience installing roofs, performing roof repairs, working on historic homes, and installing skylights. If you have any requests related to your roof, we guarantee the best prices and most professional roofing services in Portland.
Fill out our contact form here to get started with your next roofing project. You can also call us anytime at 503-238-0303 for a free estimate.