Blog

What Is the Best Type of Roof Shingles?

Contractor Installing 3-Tab Asphalt Roof Shingles

Residential Roofing Options to Pick From

If you are considering updating your residential roof, you’ll find there are several materials to choose from. Between asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and metal sheeting, it can be difficult to know what is the best option for you. Generally speaking, asphalt shingles have been a tried and true roofing material for several decades now. They are reliable, come in a variety of colors and styles, and they are inexpensive. What’s not to love about them? To discuss asphalt roof shingles in Fort Worth, TX, call McStay Quality Roofing . Dial 817-349-0016 to get started. 

Row of Asphalt Roof Shingles Being Installed

What is an Asphalt Shingle Roof?

More importantly, we suppose the question should be what are asphalt roof shingles made of? There are actually several variations of asphalt shingles and they are fiberglass, architectural, and 3-tab. Fiberglass shingles are what they sound like. A base of glass fiber is weaved together and several coatings of reflective asphalt minerals that also help to make it waterproof. Architectural shingles are similar but slightly different in comparison. While also typically a fiberglass shingle, architectural shingles are cut and shaped in different sizes, giving a more unique and special quality to a roof. The tiles themselves are also thicker, providing added protection. And then there are 3-tab shingles. They are the cheapest option of any asphalt shingle, usually coming in a long sheet of fiberglass and asphalt granules. While they are still reliable, they are slowly moving out of favor for options like fiberglass and architectural shingles. Owens Corning brand is actually a great option for all three and McStay Quality Roofing works with this specific manufacturer.

Asphalt Roof Shingles Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Inexpensive: Possibly one of the biggest draws to this roofing material is the expense. Asphalt shingles, of any variation, are generally inexpensive to purchase, store, move, and install.
  • Ease of Installation: As mentioned, this material is incredibly easy to install. It comes standard on most new homes, so roofing contractors have to know how to efficiently and expertly install them – and most of them do.
  • UV Reflection: A great thing about a lot of newer shingles is that they can be manufactured with incredibly reflective granules that can make your roof more energy-efficient.
  • Life-Expectancy: When well-maintained, an asphalt shingle roof can last between 20-25 years. This is great for homeowners who want a new roof but maybe don’t intend to stay in the home for more than a few years.

Cons

  • Granules: Though the UV granules can be a major advantage, the granules themselves can often seem like a disadvantage. Hard impacts from hail, overhanging tree branches and other items can knock the granules off, making your roof less effective. 
  • Extreme Temperatures: All variations of asphalt shingles do not do well under extreme weather conditions. If you live in an area where the temperature goes from hot to cold drastically, then you’ll see shingles shrinking, cracking, breaking, and blistering. 
  • Moisture: Regardless of installation, water and moisture is a big threat to this roofing material. It can easily slip between shingles causing mold and mildew growth. Then if there are those drastic weather changes, the shingles can curl and bend, allowing more water in. The result is shingles that deteriorate faster than they should.
  • Life-Expectancy: While the life-expectancy can be an advantage for some, for others it isn’t. Most homeowners do want to stay in their houses longer than a few years, so a roof that will only last 20-years may not be a great investment.

Asphalt Roof Shingles vs Metal

Of course, the one thing most homeowners want to know is which is better: asphalt shingles or metal roof? The answer is both easy and complicated at the same time.

Choosing a residential roofing structure is dependant on several things including your environment, your budget, your concerns, and many more. If you live in an area with drastic temperature changes and little to no hail, then a metal roof may be the better investment for you. The material will be able to withstand the temperature changes without breaking and becoming damaged. 

That being said, if you live in an area with heavy rain and hail-fall, then an asphalt shingle roof may be the better investment. While metal can withstand impacts, it can become dented and dinged and the repairs to remove them can be costly. Most asphalt shingles, like architectural and impact-resistant shingles, are actually designed to handle those impacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long do asphalt roof shingles last?
    • Generally speaking, asphalt shingles can last between 20-25 years. That is taking into consideration regular temperatures, consistent maintenance, and non-threatening damages or elements. Without at least a yearly inspection, homeowners can see the life-expectancy significantly decrease.
  • Are asphalt roofs good?
    • They are actually very good. There have been new innovations that are proving to be more efficient than asphalt shingle roofing, but that doesn’t discredit the tried and true reliability of this material. Plus, there are several advances in the way of asphalt shingles that make them more durable, while still maintaining the affordability.
  • Are architectural shingles worth it?
    • It depends on what your needs are. Architectural shingles could be a great investment for those in areas with more rain or hail since the shingles themselves are thicker. If you don’t need protection from those things, they may not be the best investment.
  • Are metal roofs better than shingles?
    • Which is better will depend on your needs and your location. Areas that are prone to hail or extreme weather conditions may benefit from a metal roof but will find the need to repair dents and dings. Those repairs can be costly, which can make a metal roof seem less of a good financial investment.
Architectural Asphalt Roof Shingles

Connect With McStay Quality Roofing Today for More Information

When you need any kind of residential roofing job completed, rely on McStay Quality Roofing . Call 817-349-0016 for help with asphalt roof shingles in Fort Worth, TX.

What Do Green Roofs Do?

Green Roof System On Public Building

Where Are Green Roofs Used?

In many cases, a green roof system may be utilized for both residential, slanted roofs, and for commercial, flat roofs. It stands to be noted that there are two generally recognized types of green roofs, which differ in cost, depth of growing medium, plant types, and the amount of accessibility or use. Extensive green roofs are simpler, lighter weight systems that are most commonly seen in residential buildings. The concept of the extensive green roof is built with the provision that there is no need for any human interaction or intervention. The plants used in extensive green roofs are hardy, weather-resistant, and rugged.  By contrast, intensive roofs are commonly used for public areas, such as commercial buildings where people can walk along and participate in plant growth. The plants utilized for intensive green roof applications are more varied.

How Long Does a Green Roof Last?

General estimates for the length of a green roof life range from thirty to fifty years. Interested customers should note that when a green roof is installed, it protects the roof membrane, which can extend the life of a roof by two or three times beyond its typical lifespan. In Europe, where builders have incorporated the green roof into the landscape, they have been building green roofs since the 1960s.

Are Green Roofs Cost Effective?

According to certain studies, results suggest that green roofs are not cost-effective on a private cost basis, however, multi-family and commercial building green roofs are competitive when social benefits are included. It is important to note that there is a wide range of other factors and benefits that lend green roofs to being an excellent roofing choice determinant on positive environmental impact and overall longevity.

What Are the Advantages of a Green Roof?

A Green roof has a wealth of advantages that are worthy of consideration. With increased population growth and urbanization, there is a growing necessity to recover important green space. The installation of green roofs is one of the critical ways that human beings can positively impact the environment. Green roofs provide numerous environmental, economic and social benefits. For business patrons to be able to walk across a commercial roof and smell flowers and enjoy nature has a certain appeal. For some, the necessary migration of stormwater runoff is one of the primary benefits of a green roof. Speedy runoff from a roof can exacerbate flooding, increase erosion and could result in raw sewage being dumped into sewers. Many prospective clients are aware of these problems and invest in green roofs as a suitable roofing alternative.

What Are the Two Types of Green Roofs?

As previously discussed, there are two different types of green roofs. Realistically, the two different types of green roofs can be separated into three different types: intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive. Extensive roofs are described as thin, lightweight roof systems that only have a depth of approximately six to twenty centimeters deep. Semi-intensive green roofs have a slightly deeper thickness, while intensive green roofs are recognized to have a thickness of twenty to one hundred centimeters. Intensive green roofs can support a wonderful variety of plants due to their accommodations, with plant options ranging from shrubs to small trees.

How Does A Green Roof Help the Environment?

Green roofs help reduce stormwater runoff. During heavy or continuous rain, runoff can easily overwhelm the surrounding built-up stormwater infrastructure. This excess of stormwater runoff can potentially damage waterways and influence the fish habitat. Plants growing on a green roof help retain rainwater. This rainwater is returned to plants, which return a portion of this water to the atmosphere through the process of evaporation. This results in the portion of stormwater that does run off the roof being cleaner, and healthier for the environment.

Green Roof for Building

It is important for homeowners to consider the possible causes of a water leak for their green roof. Essentially, the underlayment or underlying roof membrane can eventually deteriorate. For commercial buildings, which do endure a certain measure of wear and tear, this can be especially problematic. Nonetheless, the international community of roofer and enterprising architects agree that green roofs comprise a dazzling streamlining of environmentally friendly roofing alternatives. Rooftop gardens on top of commercial buildings provide a special benefit for businesses that conduct international relations and business deals, as a view of the skyscrapers from the vantage of a garden is uncommon and particularly extraordinary.

Green Roof vs Cool Roof

What primarily benefits the property owner will primarily benefit the roof. One of the things that are most important to consider is whether or not a cool roof would be more beneficial. Please consider the following bulleted list to determine what the benefits are of a cool roof.

  • Cost benefits. The cost to install a cool roof is not necessarily different from the cost of installing a non-cool roof, making cool roofs exceptionally cost-effective.
  • Energy savings. Cool roofs achieve the greatest amount of cooling savings in hot climates. Commercial property owners will see the maximum amount of energy savings once a non-cool roof is transformed into a cool roof alternative.
  • Moisture control. It is important to consider that moisture will always affect a roof, even a cool roof. In warm, humid environments, mold and algae can grow. Thus, in this case, a cool roof does not necessarily stand apart from a green roof.
Green Roof System on Residential Property

Green Roof Benefits

Green roofs provide a bevy of important benefits for residential and commercial property owners. Green roofs provide a rainwater buffer in addition to purifying the air. Such roofs reduce the surrounding ambient temperature and regulate the indoor temperature. It can save energy and green roofs encourage biodiversity in the city. There are many aesthetic, economic, ecological and societal benefits to green roofs.

If you think you need a green roof system in Fort Worth, TX, call McStay Quality Roofing at 817-349-0016 to speak with our staff about making an appointment for your green roof system today!

Why Choose Single-ply Roofing

Advantages of single-ply roofs

Whether you are putting up a new roof or replacing your commercial building’s old roofing system, you may want to consider a single-ply system as a durable option. These roofing single-membrane roofing systems have become a preferred standard in commercial roofing over the past 40 years or so, especially in the U.S. as the market for environmentally friendly and energy efficient roofs increased.

While other roofing systems like the traditional built up roof, or BUR, and modified bitumen roofs are durable and serve well, single-ply systems do have distinct advantages over these systems. Whether you choose EPDM, PVC or TPO single-ply systems, you’ll discover each is not only durable, they share similar traits.

All single-ply systems are lightweight, so there’s no need to add any special structures to support the roofing system. Each type of single-ply roof is highly impact resistant, and they are able to withstand the tears and abrasions caused by severe weather, especially hail. This is particularly valued, because hail can create serious problems for roofs that can require costly, major repairs or even require untimely replacement. This damage resistance also leaves your roof less vulnerable to leaks. The rubberized roofing materials can also be reused and recycled, which makes them valued for their environmental friendliness.

These roofing systems are versatile too. They will fit on almost any building layout and are simple to install, whether installation involves glue, fasteners or heat application. These roofs are also valued because they are low maintenance, and when repairs are needed, they are easy to repair. Single-ply roofs are sturdy enough you won’t have to worry about further damages from foot traffic when repairs are made.

Additionally, if your industry involves high concentrations of chemicals or oil and grease, single-ply systems hold up well against these materials. These roofs also protect against mold and algae growth, which can severely harm a roof.

Made from highly reflective material, these roofs also maintain energy efficiency by drawing heat away from the building, so you’ll experience less strain on your HVAC system and see your energy bills drop. Single-ply roofs are also less likely to suffer serious damage or discoloration from long-term exposure to the sun.

Most of the materials used for these roofs are white or light-colored, which not only means they are more reflective than darker roofs like bitumen or built-up tar and gravel, they cool better in hotter weather. White or cool roofs can reduce heat by 50 degrees or more, saving on cooling, making cool roofs ideal for those living in areas like Texas that experience long, hot summers.

If you are planning to install a single-ply roofing system in Fort Worth, TX and throughout North Texas, the roofers at McStay Quality Roofing are the experienced professionals you can rely on. Schedule us today by calling 817-349-0016.

One the things commercial builders and business owners like best about single-ply roofs are their low cost. Besides being easy to install, you can choose different thicknesses, depending on your needs. You save money by applying a roof at the thickness you want, rather than having to choose one size.

Single-ply roofs are great for any commercial roofing project.

Types of single-ply roofs

When you install a single-ply roof, you’ll have several options to choose from. What you install depends on your needs.

  • EPDM: This is one of the most commonly used single-ply roofs. Made from a lightweight rubber material these roofs are valued for their ability to resist damage and for their reflectivity. The membranes come in varying widths and thicknesses. When EPDM roofs are installed, they are made virtually seamless, which is invaluable when it comes to preventing leaks.
  • PVC: PVC is one of the most versatile materials. It’s used in every industry from oil and gas to plumbing and roofing. These roofs are particularly good at resisting grease, oils and other chemicals and would be perfect for restaurants, airports and other facilities where such materials are found in large concentrations. These membranes are also highly fire resistant.
  • TPO: TPO roofs are beginning to become one of the preferred styles of single-ply roofs. Commercial builders value TPO roofs for their durability. They can last as long as 30 years or more and are highly resistant to tears, abrasions and punctures. These roofs also are valued for their advanced reflectivity.

When you choose single-ply roof installation with McStay Quality Roofing , you can trust you’ll get an experienced crew, trained to work with every variety of roofing system and roofing material. Our crews have more than 30 years of experience in roofing and our goal is always to make sure your company has a durable roof protecting your property and your employees for years to come.

Schedule us today

We are leaders when it comes to single-ply roofing in Fort Worth, TX and throughout North Texas. Find out what we can do for you and schedule us today by calling 817-349-0016.