If you’re planning to build a new house from the ground up or renovate the one you are currently living in, you have many options as far roofing is concerned. In Los Angeles, CA, you don’t usually have to be concerned about harsh weather conditions, but you want to consider how your roof will look like with your home’s architectural design.

You will also need to consider whether the roofing fits your budget. Innovations and new technologies in shingle roofs have prolonged the lifespan of typical roofs and made it possible to have any look you wish for your home at a reasonable cost.  All you have to do is contract reputable roof installation services to help you achieve the look.

At Los Angeles Roof Experts, we provide our clients with the ultimate shingle roofing installation, maintenance, and repair services. We utilize only the best available materials on the market; high-quality and cost-effective components. Please contact us for further consultation and roofing solutions.

Defining a Shingle Roof

A shingle roof is a roof covering consisting of curved or flat rectangular elements that overlap or interlock in a manner that channels water off a pitched roof. These elements are laid in rows from the roof’s bottom edge, with each successive row overlapping the joints below. Shingle roofs are made from materials that vary in weight, color, style, durability, and cost. Generally, they are made from locally available materials. These roofs should only be installed on roofs with enough pitch to shed water into the gutter system by gravity alone. For a flat roof, alternative options are used.

Shingle Roof Types

We have several types of shingle roofs that influence a building’s look once they are installed. They include:

Slate Tile Shingle Roofs

Slate shingles are a rock material used for roofing. They’re thin but overly heavy when the entire roof is roofed with them. Slate is naturally beautiful, and most people appreciate it. However, slate shingle roofs don’t widely vary in looks and color. Slate tiles roofs are eco-friendly, fireproof, and durable. Their installation cost per square meter ranges between $800 and $1,400.

These roofs are harder to install. However, when installed correctly, they’re among the longest-lasting roofing options. And even though they’re expensive, it does not mean they aren’t an ideal option if you can afford them.  Most people decide to go for them because they’re worth it as they’ll last beyond a lifetime, even up to 150 years.

Wood Shingle and Wood Shake Roofs

Wooden roofs are another popular roof type. They have been considered for years as a sustainable roof option. They provide better value for insulation than asphalt. Additionally, when incorporated into different construction designs, they can give your home a completely different look and feel than the other shingle roof options.

We have two main wooden roof types known as wood shingles and wood shakes. Contrary to what most people believe, these two aren’t the same. Wood shakes are usually sawn on one side and then hand-split on the other. This makes them thicker compared to wood shingles and gives them a rustic look. They are made from cedar.

Wood shingles are sawn on both sides to create a tapered shape and are thinner at the butt end than wood shakes.  They are made from a wide range of woods. The similarity between these two is that both of them are wedge-shaped. They’re also affixed individually to an underdeck.

Wood shingles may last up to fifty years based on the wood type used & how they are treated before installation. However, they’re more costly to install (they can cost up to $9.50 per square foot) and environmentally unsustainable. Wood shakes can last up to forty years with regular maintenance and are both fire and wind resistance. But they’re more costly to install than wood shingle roofs (they could cost about $10 per sq. foot).  The popularity of the wood shake appearance has inspired several designs from the manufacturers that use other materials like metal shakes, clay-tile shakes, asphalt architectural shakes shingles, etc.

Solar Shingle Roofs

Solar shingle roofs are among the most modern roof shingle types you could install. They’re thin-film PV (photovoltaic) cells formed to resemble traditional shingles. A solar shingle roof protects your house just like traditional shingles. And even better, they transform solar energy into electricity, which you can use to power your home. These kinds of roofs are made from materials that resist overly high winds and high-speed hail impact. They also have an aesthetic appearance. They have exciting advantages and come in several different styles that match the appearance of slate, clay tile, and asphalt.

One of the downsides of solar shingle roofs is that they are more costly than other roofing styles. The installation cost ranges between $21 and $525 per sq. foot or $2100 and $2500 per square. However, you won’t have to place them on the entire roof. You will have to choose what kind of roof you would install alongside the solar shingle roof. A solar shingle roof only functions maximally on the southern side of a roof; thus, that is where it ought to be installed. Western and eastern exposures are also possible, but they will not be efficient. Solar shingle roofs can last up to twenty-five years.

Metal Shingle Roofs

Metal shingle roofs are stylish and come in several colors. The most common style under this category is the standing steam roof, which consists of corrugated or flat metal panels.  The roofs have straight raised ribs on every metal panel that runs up & down the roof slope. The main roof materials used to make metal roof shingles are either coated aluminum or steel, even though other materials can also be used, including zinc alloys, stainless steel, tin, and copper. Apart from flat metal panels, more roofing styles are being invented with metal roofing systems. There are metal roofs that look like shingles, and there are also those that look like clay tile, wood shakes, slate rock, etc.

Metal shingle roofs are relatively easy to install. They are also very lightweight, and this makes them an ideal option for a home with a roof system that merely cannot support heavy options. Metal roofs have one of the lengthiest life spans compared to other roofing styles. The installation cost may differ based on the standard labor price in your area.

Composite Plastic Shingle Roofs

Generally, composite plastic roof shingles are made from recycled plastic materials. They are a means to extend the life of plastics or other material that would merely be disposed of in most cases, so they’re an excellent eco-friendly roofing option. Expect to pay an installation fee of up to $600 per square for these kinds of roofs. Composite plastic shingle roofs can be made to look like wood shakes or even slate tiles. They’re much lighter compared to slate and other roof types. However, they are not as durable as the other shingles. Composite plastic shingle roofs last up to twenty years based on the kind of plastic you opt to install.

Rubber Shingle Roofs

Rubber shingle roofs are unique. Rubber shingles resemble the asphalt shingles used in most homes today. They are easy to install and don’t need much maintenance. But they’re quite more costly than asphalt shingle types. The installation cost can go as high as $825 per square, and they can last up to twenty-five years. Rubber shingle roofs can also enable you to reduce electricity costs and save money on annual utility expenses. The rubber membrane type you choose also affects installation charges. Rubber shingle roofs come in PVC, TPO, and EPDM materials. PVC and TPO are more affordable than EPDM.

Tile Shingle Roof

Tile shingle roofs are among the most long-lasting roof types, but this is only true if they’re installed correctly. When placed on a mortar bed, they’re known to slip off after only ten or so years. Tiles are not costly to buy based on the tile type you choose. However, installation may cost you much money. Additionally, you may need to part with cash so that your roof can be strengthened to withstand the new tile shingle roof’s weight before its installation. Some tile shingle roofs are similar to metal shingle roofs when it comes to lifespan and can last as long as 100 years if you do proper maintenance. We have eight types of roofing tiles you can install, including:

  • Composite tiles
  • Bituminous tiles
  • Copper tiles
  • Concrete interlocking tiles
  • Ceramic clay tiles
  • Polymer sand tiles
  • Metal tiles
  • Stone slate tiles

3-Tab Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Asphalt shingle roofs are the most affordable when it comes to roof installation. They’re also the most common roof type that homeowners select for new home roof installations and roof replacements. We have three types of asphalt shingle roofs— fiberglass asphalt, architectural style asphalt, and 3-tab asphalt shingles. The 3-tab ones are the most affordable and easy to install. We have several 3-tab shingle roof colors you can choose from to compliment your home design. These are the best alternative for cost-effective roofing on rent residentials or if you want to do roofing on a strict budget. However, they’re thinner, wear out faster than architectural or fiberglass shingles, and have an organic-mat paper base.

Architectural Shingles

As implied above, architectural shingles are a premium type of asphalt shingles. They are also called laminated or dimensional shingles. These shingle types come in several colors. Most homeowners go for architectural shingles since they are more durable than the 3-tab ones, i.e., they can last twice as long as 3-tab asphalt shingles. They’re also more resistant to high winds and look better. Regardless of the roof style you want, you can achieve it with architectural roof shingles.  However, they are quite expensive to install.

With all these shingle roof types and the several reputable manufacturers available in the market, it’s usually tricky to make the best choice. However, just know that there is a shingle roof material to suit the style of any home. Obtain professional guidance from an expert roofing company that can walk you through the several available choices

Additionally, regardless of the shingle type you go for, ensure a professional and reputable roofing company does the installation. You must also make sure your shingles have a warranty, and you know how to maintain and care for them properly so they can for as long as possible. 

Shingle Roof Repair

Damaged shingles may have chips or cracks in them, which could compromise their waterproof ability. You can choose to repair the damage instead of replacing the entire roof. To fix the damaged shingles, you’ll have to remove them first. This is a specialized process, and we recommend that you retain the services of a reputable company.

Alternatively, there is a DIY process you can follow if you are not afraid of heights. Begin the repair by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant beneath the crack. Press the shingle down, then apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. After that, spread the glue with a putty knife. The advantage of this repair is that nobody can know you did it yourself. It camouflages easily. Check into the gutter for granules that the rain has washed down the roof from the shingles, and then gather a small amount into a container and sprinkle them over the sealant to mask the repair.

When the shingles have fallen off from the roof entirely, they’ll need replacement. Repairing shingles is cost-effective than replacing them since little labor and fewer materials are required. The disadvantage is most of the shingles might start breaking as they age, meaning you may have to do several repairs. This could cause repair charges to go up. Additionally, your roof might begin looking patchy. If you have noticed any damage to your shingle roof, you want to call an expert roofing company to assess the degree of the damage and repair the roof thoroughly.

Shingle Roof Replacement

As we have seen, your roof’s durability is majorly determined by the roofing material used. In case the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you ought to start thinking about its replacement. You could approximate when it will have to be replaced depending on the roofing material’s average lifespan and when it was first installed. However, note that unexpected damage and harsh weather conditions could significantly reduce a roof’s lifespan, particularly if the affected areas aren’t repaired.

If you can’t tell when the roof was first installed or if there’s the possibility that damage and harsh weather have reduced the roof’s lifespan, be observant for any signs of wear & tear and age. Signs to note are:

  • Leaks
  • Shingle granules in gutters
  • Sunlight through roof boards
  • Buckling or curling shingles
  • Missing shingles
  • Airborne algae causing dark streaks
  • Cracked shingles
  • Moss growth showing signs of too much moisture against the roof, which can cause water problems
  • Cupped shingle tabs
  • Curled shingle edges
  • Missed granules that display bald spots
  • Neighbors installing new roofs, indicating homes around the same age having possible roof problems

And if you are still in doubt, call our expert roofers to give a free and no-obligation assessment of your roof. At this point, they may give you an idea of the current condition of your roof and whether it needs replacement or just repair.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Shingle Roof Colors

The type of shingle roof can affect your home’s general appearance and even your roof’s functionality. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have made the best decision for your home. The following are factors you should consider when choosing a shingle roof:

  • Climate— shingle roof type and color can affect your home’s temperature and, based on insulation, energy bills. For instance, black absorbs and retains heat, which makes attics hotter. Lighter roofs reflect the sun and keep the interior cooler.
  • House colors— if you have a red brick house, it will look smart with deep gray, black, or dark brown shingles. On the other hand, a dark gray house will look lovely with a dark gray roof. Cream or beige houses will work with warm gray or brown shingles.
  • Obtain large samples— don’t choose your roof color from colors on a computer or a small color chip. Obtain two or more large samples, and see your roof’s color at different times of the day.
  • Do not make a statement— your roof shouldn’t be the first feature people notice. A very dark roof is more pronounced, while a light one competes with the façade for attention. Thus, a mid-tone roof is the most popular.
  • Your neighbors—look at the roofs around yours and select a shingle color that harmonizes. You don’t have to make it match, but you should make it blend. Have your HOA (homeowner association) check your choices if HOA regulations cover roof choices.

Contract a Professional Shingle Roof Installation Service Near Me

Having a sturdy roof to shelter us from harsh elements is a critical factor in our safety and health. That is why choosing the material for an entirely new roof, or reroofing can be so challenging. You want a roof that can be sealed from water and any harsh outside weather, and at the same time, one that can last the longest time possible.  Allow us to help you pick a shingle roof that’ll withstand the elements and defend itself against decay for a long time. Call Los Angeles Roof Experts at 818-928-8394 today for more information about our selection of shingle roofing materials and the services available to LA residents. Call us and we will install a shingle roof that stands the test of time.