A Quick Overview on Three Asphalt Shingle Types

Aug 05, 2023

Asphalt shingles remain the go-to roofing option for many homeowners across the country. Their hype is not unearned: shingle roofing systems are proven to be tough and reliable. The fact that they’re more cost-effective than classic options, such as slate, wood shakes and tile, is also the reason for their enduring popularity. But if you’re planning to get an asphalt shingle roof this season, you’ll have to decide between the three main types. 


1. Three-Tab Shingles

This is the basic asphalt shingle option available to you. Three-tab shingles only have a single layer of asphalt, giving them a very flat appearance when installed over your home. Because of this same fact, this shingle type is more cost-effective than its upgraded counterparts. Three-tab shingles can provide good enough weather performance – just don’t expect them to last as long.


2. Dimensional or Architectural Shingles

Mild-level, sure, but architectural shingles are several steps up the quality ladder compared to three-tab. They come with two or more layers of asphalt fused together, allowing for a thicker material that can also provide a lovelier, more dimensional appearance. Architectural shingles can provide the natural beauty of authentic slate and wood shakes, but at a fraction of the cost. 


Because they are thicker than the basic shingle option, they can also deliver better, longer lasting weather protection for your home. As far as material options are concerned, architectural shingles check all the boxes of what an excellent asphalt roof should be. Just make sure they are installed by a trusted roofing contractor like Total Roof Services Corp. 


3. Designer Shingles

If you want a high-end shingle roof that can help improve your curb appeal – and you have the budget for it – you should consider designer shingles. They represent the top tier of asphalt shingle roofing, and they definitely look it. Designer shingles are even more beautiful than architectural shingles, closely resembling genuine wood shakes, slate and tile. They also offer the highest ratings for fire, impact damage and wind resistance. 


Aside from storm damage roof repair, Total Roof Services Corp. can also work on your roof installation needs. With our high-quality GAF asphalt shingle roofing systems, we’ll help keep your home safe and protected from inclement Florida weather all year round. We proudly serve Orlando and all the areas in Central Florida. Call us today at (407) 495-4151. We’d love to hear from you!

By Marissa Robinson 05 Aug, 2023
When homeowners are getting a roof replacement project done, some contractors are a bit surprised when they realize that some homeowners don’t pay much attention to their roof’s ventilation. After all, proper ventilation does offer plenty of benefits to your roof and your home, especially if you live in an area that experiences as much heat as Florida does. As such, it’s highly recommended that you learn the importance of having proper roof ventilation in your home. Here’s why Florida homeowners should never skimp out on roofing ventilation systems.  They Keep Your Home Cool Roof vents are good tools to use if you want to control the temperature around your home. If you live in an area as hot as Florida, they can help you keep your home cool by preventing your attic and the rest of your home from retaining hot air and heating up, making your living space cooler and comfortable in the process. Apart from that, since poorly ventilated homes will force you to crank up your AC unit, having proper roof ventilation can help you keep utility costs down by reducing your reliance on your air conditioner. They Protect Your Roof Apart from keeping your home cool and reducing the costs of your monthly energy bills, proper roofing ventilation can also help you preserve the roof of your Florida home and help it last for a significant amount of time. This is because, with correct ventilation, the excess heat and moisture that becomes trapped in your attic can escape, preventing it from baking the shingles inside out. Planning to improve your roof’s ventilation? Simply turn to Total Roof Services Corp,. the number one pros to approach when it comes to storm damage roof repair and commercial roofing services. Give us a call at (407) 495-4151 to schedule a free consultation today!
By Marissa Robinson 05 Aug, 2023
When it comes to the topic of residential roofing projects, you’ll be pleased to learn that you have a wide range of choices when it comes to the material. After all, as the homeowner, you’re more than free to choose between materials like asphalt, slate and even concrete tile. However, while each material has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages, and each are considered green roofing options to a certain degree, there is another green roofing material that you shouldn’t forget to consider: metal roofs. Believe it or not, despite the fact that they’re more commonly associated with barns and industrial buildings, metal roofs have been considered a green roofing option by the roofing industry for a while now. But why are these considered green options? 1. Metal Roofs Are Energy-Efficient According to roofing industry pros, metal roofs are considered a green roofing option for one obvious reason: they’re energy-efficient when properly installed in your home. This is because if a metal roof is properly installed in your home, and you choose one that has a light color, your roofing system can reflect solar heat, allowing you to reduce your monthly cooling costs by 10% to 25%. Apart from that, if you live in an area where cooling costs are higher than heating costs, and you decide to coat the metal roof with shiny or granular coatings, you can still maximize the roof’s reflective capabilities and improve your monthly energy savings even further. 2. They Can Be Recycled Even now, whenever homeowners decide to have their old residential roofing systems replaced, they often have their roofing contractor dispose of it in a landfill, adding further to the trash that is already there and further harming the environment in the process. This is where metal roofs become a green roofing option as, when the time comes your metal roof has to be replaced, metal recycling outlets will be more than willing to take your old roof in and repurpose it for different use. This prevents your metal roof from winding up in a landfill and harming the environment even further. 3. They Can Be Installed Over Existing Roofing Systems Apart from being recyclable, metal roofing systems are also considered green roofing options because they can be installed over your existing roofing system so long as your local building codes allow it. Again, this helps you avoid tearing off your old roof and disposing of them in a landfill, helping you protect the environment as a result. However, keep in mind that doing so can cause a whole host of problems, such as trapped moisture, so it’s best that you install a vented metal roof with the aid of a professional roofing company. 4. Metal Roofs Are Impervious to Fire, Rot and Pest Damage Alternatively, the roofing industry also considers metal roofs as green roofing options due to the fire, rot and pest resistance that they have. This means that if you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, and you have a metal roof, there’s a high chance that your metal roof can stay intact even when the wildfire affects your home. Thanks to its pest and rot resistance, on the other hand, your roof can also last longer before needing a replacement, once again letting you avoid contributing to landfills that can harm the environment. 5. They’re Incredibly Durable and Long Lasting Finally, roof repair and replacement experts also say that the roofing industry considers metal roofs as green roofing options for the sole fact that they’re incredibly durable. Believe it or not, there’s hardly anything that can actually threaten a metal roof that’s properly installed, and, with the proper maintenance, this same durability allows a metal roofing system to last longer compared to your average roofing material. This lets you avoid having to replace your roof immediately, reducing the amount of trash that you contribute to your local landfill. How to Find the Best Metal Roofing Contractor for Your Project Replacing your old roof with a new metal roofing system is a complicated home improvement project that homeowners should never attempt to do on their own. Instead, you should make it a point to find the best metal roofing contractor to get the job done. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can accomplish this. For instance, you can always ask for trusted referrals from a friend, neighbor or family member who recently had a metal roof installed. If this isn’t an option, on the other hand, you can always reach out to the metal roof manufacturer or roofing organizations and associations for any suggestions and recommendations. On the other hand, if you want to find a metal roofing contractor on your own, you’re always more than free to look for one on the Internet. If you opt for this option, you can always do a quick Google search or visit websites such as Angie’s List® or the Better Business Bureau to find a contractor that specializes in installing metal roofing systems. Once you’ve picked a few companies, check the reviews of previous clients to see if they have any history of unresolved complaints. After you’ve narrowed down your options even further, you can now meet with your potential contractors to interview them, discuss terms and receive estimates from them. After you’ve received the estimates, pick one that agrees with your budget the most so you can finally have your new metal roofing system installed. Looking for someone who can perform an emergency roof repair project for your home? Look no further than the experts of Total Roof Services Corp. to get the job done. With a decade’s worth of experience in the roofing industry, we are committed to giving homeowners like you only the best when it comes to products and customer service. Give us a call at (407) 495-4151
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