Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles fall in the premium tier of asphalt shingles. They are heavier than 3-tab shingles, thicker, and more durable. They consist of two layers of shingle pieces that are laminated together in order to provide a more dimensional look, which is why they are also known as dimensional or laminated shingles. Architectural shingles give a sculpted look to your roof and make it more aesthetically pleasing due to the variations in their shape and size. They cost about Rs. 75 to 125 per square feet. A special type of architectural shingles – COOL, could help make your property more energy-efficient by minimizing heat absorption. These variants have tremendous utility in a hot country like India.  

Pros of architectural shingles

• They have a longer manufacturer warranty and can easily last 30 to 50 years
• Some brands like GAF produce architectural shingles that could resist higher wind speeds
• They can withstand forces of nature pretty well
• Easy installation process
• Less likely to succumb to heat and time-intensive wear and tear
• They are available in luxurious looking styles and multiple colour options.
• They bring more interest and texture to a roof, which will increase curb appeal.

Cons of architectural shingles

• They are a little more expensive than 3-tab shingles but affordable compared to many non-asphalt shingles
• They are quite heavy, so homeowners must ensure that the structure of their house could support the extra weight.
• Susceptible to damage from hail

Designer Shingles

Source : Gaf

Designer shingles are the crown jewel of a house. They are usually made of superior quality fiberglass or asphalt and come in a wide variety of colours and styles. Designer shingles offer the best of both worlds – they replicate the aesthetics of materials like tile, slate, or wood, while offering the practicality and affordability of asphalt shingles. They exude class and luxury and are the first choice for property owners with champagne taste.

 

Pros of designer shingles

• They elevate a roof’s aesthetic appeal significantly
• Durable, sturdy and last more than 30 years easily. You may never have to re-roof
• They come with a lifetime warranty
• Great choice for minimizing or hiding roof deficiencies
• They offer better protection against the elements and a fantastic resale value

Cons of designer shingles

• They are more expensive than most roofing shingles (around Rs 250-500 per square feet), but you get the value and performance that you’d expect for that money

Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles

Hip and ridge cap shingles are made of the same materials that regular shingles are made of and even provide the same look. But where they differ is that they are specially designed for one purpose – to cover and protect the hips and ridges of the roof, both of which are very high-stress areas that require more protection. Of course you can argue that regular shingles could be cut to size and used for the same purpose. But the problem with that is that regular shingles are usually thin and could crack over time. Hip and ridge caps are thicker and won’t be affected as much by time-driven wear.  

Pros of hip & ridge cap shingles

• They add a tremendous amount of aesthetic value to a roof.
• They protect the hips and ridges of a roof against damage caused by moisture and natural elements
• They complement 3-tab shingle roofs by adding depth and dimension to it

Cons of hip & ridge cap shingles

• Buyers must ensure that hip and ridge cap shingles match their roofing shingles very closely. Even a slight mismatch could spoil the looks of your roof

Wooden Shingles

Wooden shingles are available in 2 style options – wood shake or wood shingles. Wood shingles come in perfect shapes while the shakes are usually sawn off and hand split for a more rustic look. Depending on the type of wood used, wood shingles are known to last for 15 to 50 years. Cedar-made wood shakes last 30 to 40 years. Wood shingles cost Rs 200 to 350 per square foot while the shakes cost a little more at Rs 350 to 650 per square foot.  

Pros of wooden shingles

• Wood shingle roofing looks and feels very natural, adding a nice rustic touch to a roof
• They are weather resistant
• Easy to install and repair

Cons of wooden shingles

• They cost a lot more than asphalt shingles
• Maintaining them is a hassle and involves a lot of time and money. Periodic moss removal and roof resealing are necessary.
• Wood roofs are flammable even if they have been treated with chemicals to make them fire-resistant.

Tile Shingles

Tile shingles are among the most durable and costliest roofing shingle types you could install. The most common types of tile shingles are ceramic clay (terracotta), bituminous, metal, concrete, polymer sand, composite, and slate tiles. Installing them, however, is a headache and only the most skilled masons can do it perfectly. They are known to slip off in a decade if placed on a mortar bed. As far as the costs are concerned, you can expect to pay Rs 200 (concrete tiles) to Rs 1000 (slate tiles) per square foot.  

Pros of tile shingles

• Tile roofs last 50+ years easily and some installations may even last a century
• You have a variety of options to choose from and low end tile shingles offer decent value for money

Cons of tile shingles

• Installation is tricky and could cost you a premium. The longevity of the roofing heavily depends on the installation. Poor installation could incur massive losses.
• You may need to strengthen your roof pre-installation to ensure it can bear the weight of tile roofing shingles. That again incurs additional costs

Rubber Shingles

Rubber roof shingles look quite similar to asphalt shingles. They come in a number of variants, such as in TPO or PVC at the lower spectrum of the cost, and as EPDM membranes at the higher end. They cost anywhere from Rs. 300 to 650 per square foot, depending on the type of rubber membrane used.  

Pros of rubber shingles

• Easy installation and minimal maintenance
• They can help reduce energy consumption and lower your energy bills

Cons of rubber shingles

• Though they look like asphalt shingles but they are far more expensive

Things To Consider Before You Choose Roofing Shingles

Your choice of roofing shingles is contingent on factors beyond aesthetics and price. Here’s an overview of 3 such crucial considerations.  

Roof Components

Local business code requirements, material compatibility, and warranties may play a role in your choice of roofing shingles. For instance, tile, metal, or slate shingles may be compatible only with certain types of roofing underlayment due to fire and high-temperature risks. Besides, certain roofing materials may need reinforced structural elements, which will again add to the roofing cost. Factor these parameters into your final decision.

Solar Panels

If you want to add solar panels to your new roof, make sure to verify if the solar panel installation would void the warranty of the shingle you’re considering. Also, It’s highly recommended to install solar panels over the top of full shingle coverage, as it would double the protective layer against natural elements.

Warranty

Most shingle manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their product. But in the roofing industry, a lifetime doesn’t always mean a lifetime. It’s more like 10 or 15 years; that is how long manufacturers would reimburse the full cost of the roof to the original owner for replacing defective shingles under the warranty. Thereafter, you’ll only be reimbursed for your shingles’ depreciated value.

Warranty

Most shingle manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their product. But in the roofing industry, a lifetime doesn’t always mean a lifetime. It’s more like 10 or 15 years; that is how long manufacturers would reimburse the full cost of the roof to the original owner for replacing defective shingles under the warranty. Thereafter, you’ll only be reimbursed for your shingles’ depreciated value. Also, a roofing warranty won’t necessarily cover damage from certain acts of God. The manufacturer could also refuse to pay if they are unhappy with your ventilation! So make sure you cover all these grey areas in the warranty before you settle on a new roofing system.

Estimating Cost Of A New Roofing Installation

Replacing a roof isn’t a dirt cheap job. And it isn’t a DIY thing either; you’ll need experts to install the new roof. So it will be worthwhile to have a look at how you could estimate the costs.

Usually, manufacturers price the roofing project by the square (usually 100 sq. ft area). In order to estimate how many squares you’ll eventually need, find the area of each roof section by multiplying its length and width. Add the areas of each section to arrive at the total roofing area. Also add 10% to allow for waste. Finally, keep an additional stock of shingles on hand for minor repairs. Now divide this total by 100 and multiply it by the cost per square to arrive at a fair estimate of the roofing shingles cost.

For instance, a 1500 square-foot roof would need about 2,000 square feet total of roofing shingles including the wastage allowance and spares for future repairs. So in this case, you will need 20 squares (2000/100) to cover your roof. Ask for the square cost and multiply it by 20 and you’ll have a reasonable cost estimate. Bear in mind that installation costs would be over and above this figure.

Shibam Ventures is one of India’s premier roofing shingles specialists. With over 35 years of experience, we are pioneers in introducing technologically sophisticated products in the roofing, waterproofing and construction industry.

We are India’s second largest importers and distributors of premium quality roofing shingles sourced from companies like GAF and Roser among others. Get in touch with us to get a market best deal for your requirements.