Maryland Shingle Roofs

There are various alternative approaches to selecting the construction material and installation method for a fixed roof, but the most common by far is the shingle roof.

Roof Shingles

Roof shingles are generally small, flat panels or tiles laid in an overlapping technique to cover the entire roof’s surface. They can be sourced in various sizes, shapes, and colors and manufactured from various materials, including slate, composite, fiberglass, asphalt, etc.

Slate Shingles

Slate roofing shingles are stone roofing materials. Slate shingles are thin but very heavy. Slate can be naturally beautiful but does not come in various looks and colors. Slate tiles are difficult to install, but if installed properly, they can be one of the longest-lasting roof options.

Slate shingles can be expensive. Many people decide slate roofs are worth the cost to install because they can last more than a lifetime, from 60 to 150 years.

Composite Shingles

Composite shingles are produced from recycled plastic materials. They are a great environmentally friendly roof replacement option. Composite plastic shingles can be designed to imitate stone slate tiles or even wood shakes.

Composite shingles are lighter than slate and other roofing materials, making them easy to install. Composite plastic shingles are affordable but don’t last as long as most other shingle types. Plastic roofing can last 7 to 20 years, depending on the type of plastic you use

Asphalt Shingle Roof

An asphalt shingle roof is one of the most affordable roofing installation options. They are the most common type of roof replacements or new home roof installations that homeowners choose.

There are three main types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab asphalt, fiberglass asphalt, and architectural style asphalt shingles. 3-tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable shingle to install because they are thinner, have an organic-mat paper base, and wear out more quickly than fiberglass or architectural shingles.

Metal Roof Shingles

Metal roof shingles are stylish and come in different color options. They are easy to install because they are very lightweight. They can last up to 100 years, which is one of the longest lifespans compared to other roof types. The most common metal shingle materials include aluminum, copper, tin, zinc, and corten.

Common Roofing Options

Fiberglass asphalt shingles are the most common material for residential roofs. However, contractors are seeing an increasing number of metal shingles utilized, specifically those with a stone coating. A variety of stone-chip colors and textures provides strength and durability with a very pleasing aesthetic. Coated metal shingles are also amongst the most durable, with a typical warranty in the 50 years plus range.

Certain metal shingles and other shingle types can be purchased with a lifetime material warranty. This, of course, is contingent on an approved installation method.

Shingle Installation

Generally, shingles must be laid on a structure that has been specifically prepared for the size and type of shingle selected. The earlier in the process you consult with a specialist roofing contractor at Roofing by Elite, the better.

Roof Considerations and Preparation for Shingles

In many instances, we find building codes that prohibit the use of certain types of roofing material. In the case of shingles, we often see a preference for locally sourced materials.

We also encounter a more stringent approach to fire retardation, with the need for Class A material in most instances. So we always work closely with your local building inspector to determine acceptable materials and installation techniques.

Roof Damage Prevention

In most cases, we utilize a moisture-resistant under-sheet to prevent any ingress of rain/weather into the building. Since shingles are relatively small, they have the slight disadvantage of coming with the largest seem/edge from other roofing types; therefore, it is generally necessary to install a weatherproof underlay.

The application and attachment method varies depending on material types, but it is important to secure the shingles adequately as loose or missing shingles can lead to water ingress and the degradation of surrounding shingles due to trapped surface water.

Maintenance and Repair

Roofing By Elite can also perform maintenance and repair to your existing shingle roof. Contact us today for an on-site inspection and evaluation. One of our roofing experts will determine the extent of any damage and provide you with an estimate for repair.

For a roof where the majority of shingles still have longevity, worn/damaged or missing shingles can generally be replaced quite simply, perhaps adding a further 5 or 10 years to the overall life of your roof.

Maintaining Your Roof

General repair and maintenance procedures involve lifting the edges of damaged shingles, removing nails, clearing old cement/adhesive, repairing the underlay if necessary, and cleaning the damaged area from mold, dirt, and debris.

Roof Maintenance Suggestions

Common areas for maintenance include the shingles around roof dorms and chimneys, which generally attract more wear and disruption than shingles on flat roof areas. Additional sealing may be required on these exposed areas, and it may often be necessary to reseal a much larger area than that of the missing shingles.

Maryland Roofing Professionals

Roofing by Elite has provided new roofing installations in and around Maryland, Virginia, and D.C, and all of our roofing installations come with a workmanship guarantee.

Single Ply Roofs