Colorado weather has it all. Each season shines on its own, from hail storms to sizzling hot temperatures to colorful displays of falling pollen and leaves to feet-high snowfalls. Roofs in our beautiful state endure severe weather throughout the year, year after year. Shingles are essential for protecting your home and should be picked based on location. This helps ensure the best protection for your house and all those in it. In this article, we will review how the weather in Colorado affects which kind of shingle will provide the best protection, check some of the basics on shingles and go over some of the more popular types of shingles. For a review of the roofing services in the Denver area, we offer at Rocky Mountain Enterprises, head to the end of the article.
Let’s get started! First, here is how the weather and climate of Colorado affect which kind of shingle is suitable for your roofing renovation in Denver.
How Does Colorado Weather Affect what Type of Shingle I should use?
Colorado weather calls for shingles that can attract heat in the winter while reflecting it in the summer. In addition to the heat, durable and impact-resistant shingles are often recommended for the Denver metro area.
The weather patterns near Denver, Colorado, make the area prone to hail storms from spring thru fall. Huge ice balls will descend from the sky, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. At any moment, almost always when you’re surprised with a hot day, a hail storm will arrive when you least expect it. Storms also often bring falling branches from trees or a build-up of leaves during autumn. Winter snowstorms can leave feet of snow sitting on top of your roof, which becomes a heavy impact for your shingles to hold. We always recommend choosing impact-resistant shingles for your home in Colorado.
What are shingles?
Roof shingles are individual overlapping pieces that, together, make up a roof covering. These are usually flat, rectangular structures that are assembled in layers. Each consecutive course covers the joints below from the roof’s bottom edge and working up.
Shingles are produced in various materials, allowing you to customize your roof to your needs and style. You can find shingles made from wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, or composite materials like fiber cement and asphalt shingles, as well as shingles that are kept in place by the roof rafters.
Ceramic roof tiles are still often referred to as tiles in Europe and some areas of Asia. Roof shingles may decay more quickly and require greater water resistance than wall shingles.
Roof shingles are nearly always extremely visible. Their patterns, textures, and colors are a significant component of a building’s aesthetics. Like other vernacular construction elements, Roof shingles are often made of locally accessible materials. Because the material impacts the roof pitch and building procedure, the kind of shingle used is considered before construction.
Some shingles can be put directly on the roof deck, while others require substantial sheathing (sheeting). All shingle roofs are erected from the bottom up to eliminate leaks, starting with a starter course and offset edge seams. At Rocky Mountain Enterprises, we have all of the experience needed to guide you through the processes of assembling the proper roof for your space in Englewood.
Types of Shingles
While there are several types of shingles in the market, here are the most popular ones:
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles, which are made of aluminum, steel, copper, or an alloy pressed into various forms, are among the most energy-efficient of all shingle kinds because they reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it, lowering cooling expenses.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles come in a range of sizes and colors, including a thicker, multi-layered “dimensional” type and a flatter, thinner, single-layered “three-tab” variation. Asphalt shingles are constructed of asphalt reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials like wood or cellulose.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles are made of cedar, spruce, or pine and are machine-cut to provide a trim, natural-looking, and ecologically responsible choice that lasts 20 to 25 years. Furthermore, this form of shingle is reasonably priced. It is more expensive than asphalt but a bit less expensive than clay/concrete and composite tiles.
Slate Shingles
Their sleek yet robust composition enhances slate tiles’ beautiful realism and durability. While the non-combustible, heat-resistant, hail-resistant, and moisture-resistant shingles with a low disposition for leaks may last 50 to 100 years (Depending on your region!). Their ability to survive enormous amounts of snow makes them the most outstanding choice for homes in the Midwest.
Clay Shingles
In Spanish-style homes in the Southwest, clay or concrete shingles are two common alternatives. The clay or concrete is molded into flat, barrel-shaped, or scalloped tiles of various colors. Concrete shingles reflect sunlight and efficiently insulate the interior of your home from the heat and as well as cold. Clay shingles boast other appealing properties like a fireproof material that will not fade.
What are the Most Common Shingles Used in Englewood, Colorado?
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material used for shingles on homes in Englewood, Colorado. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles . A benefit of asphalt is that all types are simple to install, accessible, and surprisingly affordable to manufacture. Their low cost and extended longevity lead them to outperform many other roofing options at the final choice.
Popular in the early twentieth century, asphalt shingles met a cost-effective and fire-resistant roof covering requirement. Asphalt shingles have grown in popularity as a cost-effective, fire-resistant, aesthetically pleasing, practical product that combines beauty, durability, and lifespan with value. Let’s look at a few of the more popular styles of asphalt shingles in Colorado.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
The square butt strip shingle, elongated in shape and available with one or three tabs, is considered the standard asphalt shingle industry-wide. This item is constructed from a base mat or organic (cellulose fibers) or inorganic (polyester fibers) material (glass fibers). The organic mat is wet and covered with asphalt before ceramic-coated opaque mineral grains are applied to the top.
3-tab, dimensional, and luxury are three common varieties of asphalt shingles. While 3-tab shingles were very popular, dimensional shingles are now the most prevalent form used on roofs. In Englewood, Colorado, all three styles of asphalt shingles are used. The final decision often depends on your budget, the durability needs of your home, and warranties offered by local companies. Click here to set up your free roof inspection and estimate.
Let’s Take a Look at Different Types of Asphalt Shingles Used in Colorado:
3- Tab
3-tab asphalt shingles, often known as “strip shingles,” acquire their name from how they are cut and placed. They are the simplest type of shingle, consisting of a single sheet of asphalt split into strips. They seem flat when installed, giving your roof a slate appearance. Because 3-tab shingles are constructed from a single strip, they are lighter and less expensive than many other asphalt shingle kinds and competing roofing materials. The disadvantage of 3-tab shingles is that they have fewer cosmetic alternatives and are more likely to fly off than other asphalt shingle kinds.
Pro: 3-tab shingles are inexpensive and may last several decades under the right conditions.
Con: Fewer cosmetic alternatives, higher risk of blow-off, and a shorter lifetime.
Dimensional Shingles
Dimensional shingles are one of the most popular asphalt shingle on the market. Often known as “architectural shingles” or “laminate shingles,” dimensional shingles are given two or more layers during manufacturing. This gives the final roof a thicker, more multi-dimensional appearance. They may be made to seem like natural slate or wood shakes, which could improve your home’s curb appeal. Dimensional shingles have the disadvantage of being heavier than 3-tab shingles, which means they will add weight to your roof. Their multiple layers, however, make them more robust.
A 30-year manufacturer guarantee is standard on most dimensional shingle roofs. Your dimensional shingle roof could last 25-28 years if built correctly.
Pro: Dimensional shingles significantly improve the look and feel of your home
Con: Dimensional shingles are a more expensive option.
Luxury Shingles
Luxury shingles are the best grade asphalt shingles. Sometimes known as “premium shingles,” these laminated asphalt shingles stand out for their design and usefulness. These asphalt shingles provide exceptional weather protection and give your property a gorgeous curb appeal. They’re practical, dimensional, and come in a variety of colors. Luxury shingles are also the most durable asphalt shingle alternative. They provide the most accurate representation of wood shake and slate roofing while being far less expensive than those roofing kinds. The most significant disadvantages are their weight (twice as heavy as 3-tab shingles) and expense.
What is the benefit of carrying that extra weight? The additional weight creates additional strength to withstand tearing and impacts. This is very useful if you live in a tornado, hurricane, or hail-prone area. This premium asphalt shingle roof type may last 25-30 years and is the most costly asphalt shingle on the market.
Pro: Provides the most protection and the most extended lifespan of asphalt shingles for high-intensity areas.
Con: It significantly increases the amount of weight on your roof.
Shingle and Roofing Services in Englewood, Colorado
Look no further than Rocky Mountain Enterprises for all your roofing needs in the Englewood and surrounding area. We have been servicing the Denver area for over a decade, protecting the communities we grew up in and the ones we live in. Our knowledgeable team of experts can walk you through the process of shingle replacement or designing your new roof from start to finish. Set up your free inspection and initial estimate today!