Best choice for your roof.

Most shingles in the Canadian market come with a 25- to 30-year guarantee. The ones involved in the lawsuit did, too. But many homeowners have had to replace the shingles within ten years statistic says. Homeowners say the product’s no good. Manufacturers claim it’s poor installation. Who is right? Let’s clarify this question.

Booking a good roofing contractor is difficult – the best ones are booked months in advance, like Veronica Contracting Inc, because it’s really metter, what is the level of professionalism of the roofers.

Another question concerning the confusion of organic shingles. Some people think they’re green, environmentally friendly or made from organic material. That’s not the case — it’s just clever marketing. When it comes to shingles, organic means non-synthetic.

Organic shingles are regular asphalt shingles — the same petroleum-based shingles that have been on the market for decades. The reason asphalt shingles are now being called organic is that there’s a new kid on the block: fibreglass shingles.

So most organic shingles have a layer of non-synthetic materials underneath the asphalt and granules, usually recycled newspaper and cardboard. Fibreglass shingles have a layer of synthetic material — glass fibre. Also organic and fibreglass shingles look the same. They’re both made from asphalt and granules. They’re installed exactly the same way, but the layer of glass fibre makes fibreglass shingles absorb less moisture and be more resistant to heat, which increases their durability in a relevant climate.

Fibreglass shingles usually hold up better if a roof has poor ventilation. This can make some homeowners want to choose fibreglass — a kind of Band-Aid solution for a poorly vented roof. But I say fix the ventilation. Proper ventilation means the temperature difference is minimized between the attic and air outside. This prolongs the life of your roof. It also eliminates moisture that can get trapped inside the attic. In case moisture stays there, it can lead to rot and mould.

There are plenty of different shingle products out there. Most homeowners in Toronto choose based on their budget. But like everything else, you get what you pay for.
Compared with other shingle materials, asphalt is inexpensive. That makes them popular. Most roofs about four out of five homes in Canada – have them. But they’re not as durable as other types of shingles. Cedar shingles and cedar shakes are among the most expensive roofing materials you can choose.

These are the real “organic” shingles and they can be composted. Why are they expensive? First of all because of the material itself — cedar looks and smells great. But labour and installation costs are also high. The installation is really slow because each cedar shingle is nailed to the roof, usually by hand. It’s also high maintenance. It’s best to keep a wood roof as dry as possible, even if it’s cedar. And you might also need to add a fire deterrent. But keep in mind: Time and weather will reduce its performance for sure.

Actually some fibreglass shingles come even with a 50-year warranty. They’re also more fire-resistant than organic. Laminated or architectural shingles are thicker, making them more durable than regular asphalt shingles. But if you want the top of the line, go with metal. Why? Because metal roofs are easy to install, fire-resistant, and, in terms of durability, there’s nothing better — they last about 50 years. What’re the limitations? Metal roofs aren’t cheap, like shingles. But they are definitely worth the investment. The last two to three times longer than asphalt roofs. Plus, metal roofs are recyclable. Some are even made from recycled metal. When you consider 10 million tons of asphalt waste ends up in landfills every year, metal roofs are a better choice. No matter what type of shingle you choose, the quality of the roofing company is key. Always choose a high-quality product and professional roofing company. It’s better to have high-quality asphalt shingles than low-quality fiberglass or cedar shingles. You can have the best quality shingle, but if it’s installed improperly, it will not last. If you do it right, you do it one time.