Asphalt Shingles vs Wood Shingles

by May 24, 2021

The most important thing about a roof is that it stays afloat in all sorts of weather conditions, and with heat waves hitting us left, right, and center this summer, the importance just increased. The last few weeks have seen record-breaking temperatures reaching over 100 degrees, which have affected our air quality and made your home’s rooftop work twice as hard to keep you cool under those blazing sun rays.

The roofing system for your house determines how well it’s capable of handling extreme temperature change, so if you want one that keeps up, then make sure to do some research before picking out what looks good because there are ones out there that can handle anything thrown at them!

 

Today, we’ll be examining how wood shingles and asphalt shingles compare to one another and which one is the best option for your home.

 

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material and have been for years. They’re durable, affordable, and incredibly easy to replace. More than 80% of American homeowners have opted for an asphalt shingle roofing system.

Asphalt shingles are available in two variations, organic shingles, and fiberglass shingles. Organic shingles are created using a cellulose mat that has been saturated in asphalt and covered in a layer of adhesive asphalt and ceramic granules. Fiberglass shingles consist of a fiberglass mat and an asphalt and ceramic granule coating. Ultimately, the difference between the two is the material of its base mat. The asphalt and ceramic granules increase the material’s water resistance, reflectivity as well its walkability.

One of the benefits of the roofing material is that it can withstand harsh weather conditions. However, once it nears the end of its life, cracks tend to appear and worsen rapidly with continuous exposure to the elements. Granule loss is also one of the first signs that your asphalt roofing system is deteriorating.

 

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles make for a beautiful roofing system. It’s fantastic for homeowners who love incorporating elements of nature into their homes! The wood adds an invaluable aesthetic to any home and its rich reds and brown complement your home’s curb appeal.

A wood shingle roofing system not only benefits the exterior of your home but also provides pleasant, natural aromas during those winter months in the interior of your home. It’s resistant to insects and water, so it’s perfect for protecting against any infestation or leaks! If there are concerns about fires starting up on your property- fear no more because you can treat this material with a fire retardant coating that will help prevent flames from spreading too quickly.

A wood shingle installation is a bit more costly than asphalt shingles. However, they do have a much longer lifespan, upwards of 30 years. By regularly maintaining and treating your roofing system, you can make it last much longer. Unfortunately, this is one of the downsides of wood shingle roofing; it requires quite a bit of maintenance to keep it looking good and working correctly.

 

Think you’ve made up your mind? Then, give Rhoden Roofing a call today!

 

This article is part of our ‘Residential/ Steep Slope Materials’ Series. Learn more about:

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