Improve Waterproofing by Combining Home Roof Shingles with Metal Roof
Home roof shingles are overlapping pieces you can use for your roof to improve style and waterproofing. There are many different roofing shingle types. For example, they can be made of asphalt, clay, metal, or wood. Likewise, there are different roof shingle colors. As such, they are also great decorative pieces.
Metal roofs are also a popular choice for roofing. They are durable, so you don’t need to frequently repair or replace the panels. This quality makes metal roofs cost-effective.
Both shingles and metal roofs are great options, so many homeowners can’t decide on which is better for their home. The good news is that you don’t need to choose between the two! You can use a combination of metal and shingle roofs to make your roof functional and aesthetic.
This article will teach you about the things you need to know, including the pros and cons of combining the two roofing materials.
Metal and Shingle Roof Combination
Many homeowners can’t decide whether to use metal roofs or roofing shingles. If both options interest you, you don’t really have to pick. Yes, it is unconventional, and that is why these homeowners may never think of it. However, unconventional does not mean it is impossible.
Combining the two materials has some benefits but also some downsides. Here are the pros and cons of a combination of metal and shingle roofs:
Pros:
- Durability
High-quality shingles can last for 20 – 50 years. They are impact-resistant and can withstand thermal cycling. However, extreme weather conditions and climate change can make shingles brittle.
On the other hand, a metal roof has an unmatched durability. When it comes to protection against harsh weather conditions, it is the best choice.
That said, combining these two roofing materials will give you a roof with great longevity.
- Cost-Effectiveness
On paper, roofing shingles are more affordable than metal roofs. However, in the long run, the metal roof’s superior durability makes it the more cost-effective choice between the two.
You can save more by combining the two rather than choosing one over the other. Strategically place metal roofs in places that are more prone to wear and tear. With that, you don’t have to buy so many metal roof panels. Shingles can cover the remaining areas. While they aren’t as enduring as metal roofs, they are still durable and will provide more than enough waterproofing.
- Unique Style
Metal roofs look industrial, while roofing shingles look traditional. Combining these two on your roof creates a unique look that blends the two styles. This unique look makes your house more stylish and increases its appeal. In the age when aesthetics can make or break deals, this can make it easier to sell your house if you’d ever want to.
Cons:
- Increased Initial Cost
As mentioned above, metal roofs are long-lasting, but you have to pay for that quality. Metal panels are more expensive than other roofing materials. Therefore, you need to save more before starting the project.
- Longer Installation Time
Combining two roofing materials will complicate installation. The contractors would need to install the roof in sections. Furthermore, the installation of the metal roof will be done at a different time from the installation of the roof shingles. As you would expect, it will make the process longer.
- Increased Risks of Leaks
This one only becomes an issue depending on who you choose as your shingle and metal roof installers. Because you are combining two roofing materials rather than staying consistent with one, it can create seams in your roof. That said, it increases the risk of leaks.
To prevent this, you should be selective of who you entrust with this job. Verify their expertise before hiring them.
Types of Roofing Shingles
Whether you decide to use a combination of roofing shingles and metal roofs or just shingles, you must know which shingle type is best for your needs. Here, we will discuss the different types and their main qualities.
Asphalt Shingle
Asphalt shingles are by far the most common and popular. That is thanks to their affordability and variety. Furthermore, asphalt shingles are easy to install and repair.
There are three types of asphalt roof shingles: 3-tab, architectural, and designer or luxury. 3-tab asphalt shingles are very cheap and come in hundreds of colors, so they can suit any house. On the other hand, architectural shingles are more premium, offering more longevity, wind resistance, and style.
As the name implies, luxury shingles are the most expensive asphalt shingles. They are larger, thicker, and more colorful shingles. They are designed to look like wood shake, slate, and tile. Designed to mimic old European houses but with increased effectiveness, these shingles boost both functionality and visuals.
Metal Shingles
If you choose to combine shingles with metal roofs, metal tiles will give you consistency. Since they are made with the same material, these shingles offer durability, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. However, they are less resistant to impact compared to asphalt shingles.
Solar Shingles
If you are conscious about your carbon footprint, you should consider using solar shingles. These roof shingles are solar panels in disguise. The collected solar energy is turned into electricity that you can use in your home.
Slate Shingles
The main selling point of slate tiles is their longevity. These fire-resistant shingles can last a century. However, you should know that slate shingles are heavy. Therefore, they require structural support. On top of that, they require specialized installation. If you can deal with these factors, consider using these environment-friendly shingles.
If those are a problem, and your budget is also tight, you can use synthetic slate shingles as an alternative. They are not as expensive as authentic slate shingles and are even more long-lasting.
Cedar Shingles
Cedar shingles are home roof shingles that are made of wood from carefully managed forests. They are processed in sawmills, meaning little energy is used to manufacture them. As for functionality, these shingles are long-lasting, thanks to the natural oils that cedar has. They can last up to 50 years! The other benefit of using these shingles is they offer better insulation than other roofing materials.
Repairing Wind-Damaged Shingles
Roofing shingles, combined with metal roofs or not, are wind resistant. However, that does not mean they can’t be damaged. To ensure your roof will not lose effectiveness, you need to do regular checkups. You must find wind-damaged shingles and replace them.
Here’s a simple step-by-step on how to do it.
- Look for loose or lifted shingles and examine them to see if there are cracks, splits, or warps.
- Remove the damaged shingles. As much as possible, try not to damage the other shingles. Otherwise, you may need to replace them too.
- Slide the replacement shingles into place. These should be the same roof shingle colors and texture, or they will look out of place.
- Seal the edges and corners with cement.
- Inspect the repaired area to check if there are damaged shingles or other problems that you missed.
You can do this yourself. However, it would be better to let professionals handle it. You can contact First Class Roofing in Oahu. We offer roof inspection, roof repair, and roof waterproofing. That way, you can rest assured that the repairs will not create new problems, such as leaking.