We often take the protection our roof provides to our home and business for granted; it puts in a lot of leg work to ward off the elements, so choosing the right materials for repair and re-roofing is essential. As highly experienced and skilled roofing contractors in Saskatoon, we are routinely asked questions about which shingles are the best choice for life in Saskatchewan. Choosing the right materials for your needs and budget can be challenging, but our team is here to help. In this blog, we’re going to cover everything you never thought you needed to know about every roofing material we work with, including metal, tar, and asphalt shingles.
Why are roofing shingles important? Shingles are vital to your home’s health. They provide protection from ultraviolet rays. They also help to protect and preserve the structural integrity of your roof. This is important everywhere, but especially crucial in environments where the weather changes. In Saskatoon, our four seasons are capable of producing extreme temperatures, winds, rains, and snowfall. Through all of that, our shingles are protecting the skeletal structure of our roofs. Protection is one of the key purposes for having shingles on our roofs.
Style is also another important consideration for shingles. Shingles are decorative, just as they are durable and protective. The asphalt shingle that we are so familiar with in Saskatoon and throughout Saskatchewan comes in a number of different colours. Homeowners choose shingles that will complement, accentuate, or blend in with the rest of their home.
Other important considerations when thinking about shingles are:
Price
Weight
Type of building
Environment
Material availability
What are roofing shingles?
Roofing shingles come in many different forms and types. The most common are called asphalt shingles, and they incorporate asphalt for the purposes of waterproofing your home or business. These are the most widely used shingles in North America, and for good reason! Asphalt shingles have a lifespan around 20-25 years when installed correctly––a job we do very well. These economically-priced shingles are available in a wide range of colours, so you can match your home’s siding and stucco to a tee.
There are two main styles of asphalt shingles that you can purchase, 3-tab shingles and architectural shingles.
1. 3-tab
This style of shingles is tried and true and make a great budget-friendly choice for both re-roofing and repair. These protect your home by being layered on top of one another to form a strong waterproof barrier. These are also the most popular type of roofing shingle. Homeowners will gravitate toward 3-tab shingles because they are cheaper than other shingles. They also provide a uniform look to your home’s roof.
2. Architectural This updated version of the 3-tab shingles is more substantial. Architectural shingles are heavier than 3-tab shingles. The base of an architectural shingle is also thicker. For homeowners, architectural shingles offer a more sturdy, more durable roofing material. They are also more wind and weather resistant. The architectural shingle also comes in various shapes and sizes, giving roofers added options for a more aesthetically appealing look. The architectural shingle is also said to be more water resistant than the cheaper 3-tab asphalt, and it has a longer life expectancy.
What asphalt shingles are made of
Fiberglass matts: These make up the base of our asphalt shingles.
Granules: The most visible part of our shingles. Granules help give shingles their colour and texture. Granules are tiny particles of stone which are exposed to a ceramic firing process to create different colours of shingles.
Sealants: Shingle sealants are specifically designed to activate at different temperatures. This way they stay strong throughout our varying weather conditions.
Release film: Responsible for keeping the sealant from activating while shingles are sitting in storage waiting to go on the roof. 3 alternative roofing materials for residential and commercial use!
Wood Shake Shingles: These shingles are sought after for their look. They stand out on a home as a feature, and give us the sense of cabins and cottages. Wood shake shingles are more of an artisan’s touch, as they are more laborious to manufacture and install. If you’re going for something rustic and close to nature, wood shake shingles might be right for you. The pros for woodare curb appeal, durability, and a life expectancy of 20-30 years (matching the durability of asphalt); the cons, insects and maintenance.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR): Built up roofing, or BUR, consists of tar, coal tar, asphalt and aggregate, which are tiny particles of stone. There are also different methods of built up roofing. The hot built up roof is heated and liquified during installation. Then it is spread over the roof to help seal your building from the elements. The cold built up roof can be applied in cooler climates, and is sprayed on. This is helpful for places that experience cold weather, like Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Metal: Metal roofs are known for their durability and longevity. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years. Compared with asphalt roof shingles that can last 20 years, there is money to be saved on how long a metal roof can last. This material can be ideal for those who experience heavy snowfall or those who live in a forest or grass fire zone––as metal is naturally fire proof. Another benefit of metal shingles is that they weigh less than asphalt or architectural shingles. They put less stress on your roof and the rest of your house. Whether you choose standing seam or metal shingles, these durable roofing options are going to be both modern and practical.
An environmentally-conscious alternative to standard shingles
Solar shingles: Solar shingles function like solar panels and shingles combined. They harness energy from the sun that is converted into power that can be used to run your home’s power. This means that you can produce your own power, lowering your power bill significantly. Another advantage is that these shingles look like shingles, not solar panels. No stylistic points are lost on this option.
Solar shingles are also known as photovoltaic shingles, and offer homeowners potential savings, and an environmentally conscious and energy efficient alternative to traditional roofing shingles. Harnessing the sun’s power and converting it into usable energy is also one of the cornerstones of an off-grid home and life. Many people are interested in the potential savings, the benefits for the environment, and the sense of freedom that off-grid alternatives provide.Additional pros of solar shingles include:
Increased home value
More integrated design than larger solar panels
Solar shingles can be removed and reinstalled
The cost of 3-tab asphalt shingles on your roof Homeowners with a 1,800 sq. ft roof can expect to pay between $4,000 and $7,000 to replace the shingles on their home. This figure is based on using a 3-tab asphalt shingle, which is the most affordable shingle on the market. Prices per square foot can vary significantly but typically fall within a range of $1.50 - $5.50/sq.ft. If you’re interested in getting a free quote for roofing in Saskatoon, we can help. Book a free estimate today. The cost per square foot for metal roofing in Canada The cost of roofing changes dramatically based on the material you choose. We see a major price difference if we compare prices for the 3-tab asphalt shingle with prices for metal roofing. In Canada, an economy class metal roof can cost between $6.00 - $8.00 per square foot installed. Other styles of metal roofs can cost significantly more. An aluminum standing seam metal roof with concealed fasteners can cost $30.00 and up per square foot installed.
Factors that influence the cost of roofing:
1. The height and pitch of your roof
The height and pitch can affect your pricing as the require more or less safety equipment to be installed to complete the job. In Saskatchewan, roofers must use a safety harness if the roof pitch becomes too extreme or the house is taller than 1.2 metres.
2. The materials you choose for your home. Metal roofs, for example, often come with a higher price tag. 3. The size and complexity of your roof
4. Time of year
5. Whether you are re-roofing or repairing
6. Damage to the decking
At Ozmun Exteriors, we pride ourselves on being Saskatoon’s roofing repair, replacement, and renovation experts
If you’re looking for roofing experts in Saskatoon who can handle your shingle repair, roof, and/or exterior renovation, Ozmun Exteriors can help. We offer expertise in asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and everything in between. If you’re looking for a contractor who you can trust to get the job done right and on time, Ozmun Exteriors is the expert roofing and exterior contractor you need. We are standing by to answer any questions you have about your roofing. Get in touch with us today, and let’s talk about your project. We’re your roofing contractor Saskatoon.