Roofing options can be mind-boggling and often the very idea of repairing or replacing the roof can send homeowners into a panic.  But there is no need to feel overwhelmed.  The more you understand about the options available to you, the better you’ll be able to handle the whole process.  And there’s no better place to start than with shingles, which are the building block of every roof and will make the biggest impact on the overall look of your home.

So where do you begin when it comes to roofing shingles?   While it may not seem like it should be a difficult decision, there is more to choose from when it comes to shingles than you might think.  There is a wide variety of materials, styles and colors available on the market today and the shingles you choose will not only affect the look of your home but the cost of your roofing job as well.  That’s why making the right choice is so very important.

Shingle Material
Shingles come in many materials, ranging from asphalt and wood to tile and slate.  Not every type of shingle will work with every home, since some, like slate and tile, can be quite heavy.  Generally speaking, a roof with a low, flat slope will be able to hold more weight than one with a sharper, steeper pitch.  Also, the more detail there is to your roof, such as chimneys, turrets and dormers, the more difficult it may be to work with less flexible roofing materials.  Roofing options like wood, tile and slate can give a high-end look to a home, but they also come with a hefty price tag, which can be an important deciding factor.

By far, the most popular choice for roofing shingles is asphalt.  Asphalt shingles are what you see on the greater majority of homes because they are durable, easy to install and can fit a wide range of home styles.  They are made of a fiberglass medium that is impregnated with asphalt and then overlaid with a coating of sand-like granules.  The asphalt and the granules act as a sealant, helping to improve the safety and waterproofing of your home.  Their durability is so good that most asphalt shingles have a life span of anywhere from 20 to 40 years.

Even if you narrow your choice of roofing options down to asphalt shingles, there are still some decisions to be made.  That’s because asphalt shingles come in two basic types: fiberglass and organic.   While organic shingles, made from wood, paper, cellulose or other natural materials combined with adhesive asphalt, are a good, durable product they may not work for every home, and they can be more expensive.  They may also be prone to warping, which means they may not be the best choice to stand up to the harsh winters in the Adams, Cumberland and York County area.

A less expensive and much more durable option is fiberglass roofing shingles, which are made from fiberglass sheets that are extraordinarily durable and relatively cheap to make.  Fiberglass shingles are lighter, thinner and surprisingly eco-friendly and most importantly, they are also extremely fire resistant, making them not only aesthetically pleasing but also an important safety feature for your home.

Shingle Color
No matter which material you opt for, you’ll want to take the color of your shingles into consideration.  Obviously, you want a roof that is not only going to wear well but also looks good and fit in with the rest of your home design.  Most shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, from simple black all the way up to shades of red or blue.  And some designer roofing options also offer unique shapes and patterns that can make your home stand out from the rest.

Brand Matters
Of course, color isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing roofing shingles.  Picking the right brand can also be extremely important as it can impact both the quality of your roof and the cost of the roofing job.  That’s why DePalma Construction deals exclusively with GAF because we feel that they offer the best product on the market today.  GAF offers a full line of shingles ranging from North America’s top seller, Timberline, up to Designer shingles carefully crafted to give your home the most visual appeal.

GAF Warranty
When it comes to roofing options, only GAF offers a Golden and Silver Pledge Warranty that covers installations, removal and disposal as well as the shingles themselves for a level of security you can’t get with any other brand of roofing materials.   You can breathe even easier knowing that DePalma Construction is among a very small percentage of companies who are authorized to provide the GAF MasterElite coverage, which ensures that a certified GAF inspector will personally look over the work on your house before we sign off on your job.

Choosing the right shingles is not something you should take lightly as you’ll be betting the safety of your home and family on your roof.  You want to make sure that you are getting nothing but the best, which means choosing roofing shingles that will not only look good but also hold up to any weather extremes and fit cleanly and smoothly onto your existing roof structure.  The right choice now can save you a lot of heartache, and a lot of money, down the line.

So whatever you do, make sure you put plenty of thought into the shingles you choose.  And don’t hesitate to ask the experts at DePalma Construction for advice.  We’ve been building roofs in the Adams, Cumberland and York County area for almost 20 years and we know what makes for a durable and attractive roof.  We also know how important this decision is for you and your family, so we’ll do everything we can to help you make the right choice. We treat every customer’s home as if it were our own.