The Difference between Composition Shake Shingles and Composition Slate Tile Shingles

When you have to have your roof replaced, there is always the decision of what color to get, which you usually want to match the color tones of the house as well as the style of the house and the surrounding neighborhood. Then there is the decision on what type of shingles to get. This often depends on your budget, but when you can choose, a quality roofing contractor will have many samples to show you and will give you advice and guidance in choosing the right one.

There are many types of roofs but here we are going to discuss the two different kinds of Composition Shingles. One is Composition Shake and the other is Composition Slate. Composition Shake shingles are the most affordable and the most standard you'll see on houses. It offers your home a clean look and while it is the most affordable, there are many levels of quality to choose from. Some are asphalt, others are fiberglass. These are usually made of recycled content and are known to be most durable.

There are many choices in brands, colors and types all of which are versatile and easiest to install with very little maintenance needed. On the downside, the materials they are made of are easy to be torn off in high winds and scar in areas where the sun is hot.

Composition Slate tiles are made of rock and is common in higher end, upscale neighborhoods such as custom built homes. An expensive choice but gives you a natural look with the variety of patterns they come. They offer a long life, low maintenance and are a strong fire protection for you home. They are invulnerable to insects and rot and even though the colors are limited, they do come in a variety of sizes.

On the downside, this is a very heavy tile and part of the expense is the extra support that is required for a roof to hold up under the weight. They are breakable and thus any roof maintenance or other chores such as gutter cleaning and painting need to be done by a professional.

Are Flat Roofs A Good Thing?

Flat roofs seem to be making a comeback in some residential areas of the country. This is a roof style common with commercial buildings, but with homes, it is an eye catcher. While they give a home a unique look, one has to wonder just how good a flat roof is. After all, where does the rain go and what about the pile up of debris and leaves over time?

You won't notice from the street, but there is a slight slope to a flat roof, for just the reason as stated above – the need for rain, snow and water to drain. One appeal to a flat roof is the ease in building them. In the beginning, flat roofs were built with gravel and tar, but that combination would hold the rain, snow and water and it would become stagnant as it accumulated. So in cold areas of the country, the flat roof was more of a problem maker than the design is worth having.

Today, the materials that flat roofs are built from may be a polymers and synthetic rubber combination. This is a great combination for homes; however for commercial buildings the mixture is not stable enough to cover such a large area.

In addition to be a cost-effective way to roof your home, flat roofs take less time, are said to last longer and the maintenance is minimal. For an area of the country where the weather is uncertain and prone to change without much warning, flat roofs have proven to be a benefit for many homeowners.