Whether you’re building a home from scratch or replacing an old and weathered roof, there are several choices you’ll be tasked with making before having a new roof installed. The primary decision you’ll need to make is which kind of roofing material you want to have installed. If you’re opting for shingles, everything from cost to durability should be considered. The two main types of shingles at your disposal are polymer-modified shingles and oxidized asphalt shingles.
Questions to Consider While Choosing the Right Roofing Material
Finding the right material for your roof depends on numerous factors. Before making your final purchase decision, you should ask yourself some questions about your roof and your budget. First, find out home much the roof shingles cost. If your roof has been damaged, it’s possible that your homeowner’s insurance would cover some of the replacement costs. Once you’ve identified your budget, you should have a better idea of which material is right for you.
You should also ask yourself what the pitch and slope of the roof are. If your roof is steep, it might not be suitable for heavy shingles. Make sure that you find out about any weight limits that your home has. Some shingles weigh much more than others, the primary of which are slate or clay. Whenever a snow or ice storm comes through, weight gets added to your roof, which is why you should know how much weight your roof supports.
Think about how your local weather might affect your roof shingles as well. Along with snow, roofing materials could be damaged by frequent rainstorms, strong winds, and extreme temperatures. Consider selecting shingles that can hold up to these weather patterns. At Jim Rhubart Roofing, we can help you determine which roofing material will pair well with your home.
What Are Polymer-Modified Shingles?
When asphalt shingles are first made, polymers can be placed in the mix to change the final result. A polymer is a synthetic substance that consists of large molecules. Once the polymer materials stabilize, less heat is required, which leads to better shingles. The shingles that are made with this technique are more resilient and flexible. While the material looks like a shingle, it comes with performance that’s similar to metal roofing.
Even though polymer-modified shingles cost more than traditional oxidized shingles, they offer enhanced protection and a better ROI. When you call our roofing professionals, we’ll provide you with a precise estimate of the labor and material costs. Along with shingles, you can also consider materials like slate, steel, and metal roofing. If you choose polymer-modified shingles, the installation process is practically the same as it is with oxidized asphalt shingles.
Benefits of Polymer Modified Shingles
There are numerous benefits associated with polymer-modified shingles, the primary of which is that the modifier creation process is designed to create stronger and more robust shingles. This added durability means that the asphalt granules are much less likely to be torn off the roof during strong winds or heavy storms. They are also resilient to heat.
Because of the extra resistance to weather effects, these shingles have a lengthy lifespan. While other types of asphalt shingles can be damaged or come loose during a hailstorm, this isn’t the case with polymer shingles. Since these shingles are more flexible, they will return to their standard shape even if temporarily dented. It’s difficult for these shingles to curl or crack.
What are Oxidized Asphalt Shingles?
The main shingle available on the market is an oxidized shingle. The oxidation process occurs when raw asphalt is stabilized by baking it at an extremely high temperature to make sure that it operates properly in hot and cold temperatures. While many manufacturers have begun to place rubbers, plastics, and other polymer materials into the asphalt to improve its performance, you can still purchase the more traditional asphalt shingle without the additives.
Benefits of Oxidized Asphalt Shingles
Even though oxidized asphalt shingles don’t perform as well as polymer-modified ones, they do come with many benefits that you can take advantage of. The main benefit of selecting oxidized shingles is that they are affordable. By selecting affordable roofing materials, you significantly decrease the costs associated with your project. You also won’t need to worry about rust. While metal roofing is prone to becoming rusty in coastal areas, these asphalt shingles don’t corrode.
You’ll discover that oxidized asphalt shingles are considerably lighter in weight when compared to polymer-modified shingles. Since oxidized shingles don’t include any of the extra rubber or plastic, they won’t add much weight to your roof and shouldn’t cause undue stress to the structure. You’ll notice that these shingles can provide your home with a more traditional appearance as well.
Because of its lightweight nature, this type of shingle is relatively simple to install. While the installation process should always be handled by a professional roofing company like ours, the thin shingles that are used with this roofing material are easier to handle when compared to installing sizable tile roofing or metal roofing pieces. Easier installation usually means that labor costs are lower and that the project can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.
Which Type of Shingle Is Right for You?
The type of shingle that’s best for you and your home depends on which factors you value the most. If cost is a main concern of yours, oxidized asphalt shingles are the most affordable roofing materials on the market. Despite the lower costs, these shingles can last anywhere from 15-30 years when properly maintained. If your home’s weight limits aren’t that high, oxidized shingles can be installed without creating issues with previously established limits.
On the other hand, polymer-modified shingles provide better longevity, flexibility, and resiliency. While these shingles can be heavy, they come with just as many color and style options as traditional oxidized shingles. Before you make a decision, you should also ask yourself if you plan to stay in your home or sell it in the near future. Polymer shingles can add more value to a home. Speak with our roofer if you have any questions about these materials.
We have more than 45 years of total experience in the roofing industry, which allows us to provide residents of Woodbine, NJ with exemplary service regardless of the material they’d like to have installed with their new roof. When you request our roof replacement services, we’ll provide you with a detailed cost estimate before starting work on the project at hand. Our team can have your new roof installed without delay.
If your home is already equipped with oxidized asphalt or polymer-modified shingles, we offer extensive roof repair services that you might require from time to time. If your roof is leaking or a couple of shingles have blown away, we can repair the damage without immediately recommending that you have the roof replaced. With our Roof Maxx rejuvenating solution, we can also restore the flexibility of older roof materials to extend their lifespan. Call Jim Rhubart Roofing today if you’d like to schedule an appointment or request service.
