Tag Archives: slate

Are Shingles the Only Option?

Are you thinking about a new roof for your Plano home in 2019? What kind of roof do you want? Did you know there are more options than asphalt shingles? It’s true. There is a whole world of shingles out there, and some may work for you and your home. Find out what types of shingle options you have and how to find the best roofing company for you in this blog.

Eight Different Types of Roofing Materials to Consider

  1. Asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle material in the United States. Why? The primary reason is that they are durable in any environment and weather conditions and can withstand wind, rain, hail, and sun. This is especially important to homeowner’s living in Texas. Asphalt shingles are also lower in cost compared to other options, which also makes them favorable among homeowners.
  2. Solar tiles. Solar tiles are not shingles, but instead, integrate into existing shingles to collect the sun’s rays and generate energy. Solar options are excellent for individuals living in sunny climates. These tiles do cost more than traditional solar panels, however.
  3. Metal roofing. Metal roofing is an excellent, available in a variety of colors and styles – it can even look like tile and shake. Metal roofing is also a great choice because it is long-lasting (think 40 to 60 years). Metal also can withstand winds and is fireproof. Metal can dent from hail and can be noisy during rainstorms, however.
  4. Stone-coated steel. This type of roofing material is an advanced type of metal roofing that has the color and style options of metal, but can withstand extremely high winds (120 miles per hour), hail, and harsh winter conditions.
  5. Slate. Slate is an excellent option for homes in a wet environment (not Texas). This is because slate is waterproof and resists mold and fungus growth. Slate is also long-lasting (more than 100 years!), but is not resistant to hail. This makes it a no-go for Texas!
  6. Rubber slate. Rubber slate is a manufactured product that looks like natural slate. The benefits of this product include that it can be cut to fit intricate spaces (think historical homes) but is not resistant to hail and installers may be hard to find.
  7. Clay tiles. Clay tiles are a great option for warm and dry climates (think California), but some homes in Texas do have them. Clay tiles can withstand high winds, but are not ideal when a hailstorm hits.
  8. Green roofs. No, we’re talking about green-colored shingles. We are talking about roofs that are covered with plants-type of green. While this is not a mainstream practice in this area, some homes in Frisco, Texas, have green roofs. The purpose of green roofing is to help improve air quality and reduce water runoff. While green roofing is cool – it takes a lot of work and extra structural support to make it happen.

Are you wondering what the best type of roofing is for your home? Call a professional roofing company today to find out!