What are the benefits of a Shingle Roof?

What are roof shingles?

Roof shingles are a roof covering, composed of felt which resembles tiles which overlap with each other. These components are available in a wide range of colours and are most supplied in rectangular shapes. Each strip of the rectangular components are carefully placed, overlapping the underlying joints of the felt tiles.

Difference between roof shingles and roof tiles

You will find that the price point of a tiled roof option will be far more expensive than roof shingles, this is based mainly on the cost of the materials rather than the labour. We find that cost is one of the biggest factors customers take into consideration when choosing their roofing material.

Roofing shingles are more customisable than tiles, allowing you more creative control over how your home looks. However, it is worth noting that roof shingles are not as durable as tiling, therefore you may have to replace roof shingles earlier than roof tiles. To keep a tile or shingle roof in good condition, it's highly recommended to have the roofing experts inspect it regularly.

What are the benefits of roof shingles?

Affordability - Starting at £25.95 for a 3m² pack, the materials for completing a shingles roof are an affordable option when looking to upgrade your roof. In the UK, they are normally used for outbuildings such as sheds, home offices, man caves and car ports.

In addition to this, the method used to install the roofing shingles is quicker and easier than laying tiles, this reduces labour time and, therefore, the labour cost to install roofing shingles.

Versatility - Roof shingles can cover many different angles, shapes, and forms. This means that they can be installed on almost any type of roof, so no matter how complex the shape or slope of your roof, roof shingles will be an option for you.

Durability - TechnoNICOL, a brand of roof shingles, advises that Bituminous roof shingles feature a reinforced, heavyweight glass fibre base, coated with oxidised bitumen. Additionally, there is an upper surface coated with coloured mineral granules consisting of a coarse-grained basalt sprinkling". This means your roofing shingles offer 100% water tightness, making them durable to all weather conditions. So, come rain, wind, snow and direct sunlight, you can rest assured that your roof shingles are safe as they feature outstanding weather and UV resistance.

Sustainability - In March 2020, the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) found that 76% of adults in the UK were concerned to some degree about climate change. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to make their home more environmentally friendly, and often this includes looking at what improvements they can make using sustainable materials.

Roofing shingles offer a sustainable option as, with the correct care and maintenance, they can last for 30+ years. When they do come to the end of their life, they can be recycled. In addition to recycling, shingles have also been reused for other purposes such as road paving. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association, recycled roofing shingles could actually improve road quality.

Ease of installation - As we briefly mentioned earlier, the labour costs to install shingle roof tiles is lesser due to the efficiency of install. To put this into perspective, you can expect average times to be:

• Bitumen Shingles - one to three days
• Wooden Shingles - six to eight days
• Slate Tiles - six to seven days
• Concrete Tiles - eight to nine days

You don't necessarily need a roofer to get these installed, they can be laid by any one with competent DIY skills. However, you must follow the manufacturers guidelines for installation 

Lighter weight and thinner material - Roof shingles products are not so heavy that you have to worry about whether or not your roof can hold them. The average weight of a square metre of roof shingles is approximately 10 kilos versus about 60 kilos for a roof tile.

So, "what does that mean?" we hear you ask. Well, the lighter weight and thinner material means there is no need to reinforce your home to have it installed. Saving time and therefore, saving money!

Variety of Designs - Available in a range of materials, colours and patterns, a shingle roof allows you to create a versatile look. This is a superb benefit for those looking to create a big transformation to their home with minimal cost or time.

Often, people will choose one block colour for their home but, on rare occasions, people decide to have a pattern effect. Roof Shingles often features distinctive patterns determined by the size, shape and application method. However, special characteristics such as combed ridges, patterning decorative butt ends and swept valleys can also be seen. When deciding what is best for you, bear in mind that the more work required, the higher the cost of installation will be based on the labour time.

Cost-Effective Quality - Although often highlighted as a cost-effective roofing material and method, it should not be overlooked that shingles roofing is also a high-quality option when considering upgrading your home. The number one rule is to always go for the highest quality you can afford and, with different materials that offer different price points, many people will find that a shingle roof is the most cost-effective option, without compromising on quality.

Ease of Repair - Bitumen shingles, when properly installed, typically require very little maintenance. However, there may be the odd occasion where a small fix is needed. Fortunately, asphalt shingles can easily be removed and replaced. You can easily fix cracks, stop curls, and, if required, even install new shingles to prevent leaks in your roof.

Due to the fact that the methodology is so widely used, many roofers are trained to a high standard within the application of shingles roofing. As there are so many roofers available with a specialism in this method, it is easy to find a roofer to repair your shingles roof, should you need it.

Overall, roof shingling is an exceptional balance between aesthetics, functionality and durability. This makes it the perfect choice for those who wish to feel confident that they are getting the best quality and reliability at a price that is highly affordable.