The median cost of a house in the United States is over $200,000. That’s roughly twice what it was fifty years ago.

Building a home can be even more expensive, given the sheer amount of features that make up the average house. One part that we don’t think about very often is the roof shingles.

They’re a small part of the house, but very important. They’re the topmost layer of a roof that’s designed to keep water from leaking into the other layers of the roof. It’s the first line in a multi-line water defense.

There are many different types of shingles. We’ll talk about some of them in the paragraphs below.

1. Asphalt

Asphalt roof shingles are among the most common types of roof shingles, and the ones you’ll see on most houses. Asphalt shingles are more affordable than other types of shingles and are usually enough to keep water out. This makes them one of the best roofing materials on the market.

Asphalt shingles are also a bit of a misnomer since they’re not entirely made of asphalt. They’re made from asphalt, fiberglass, and tiny bits of ceramic. The fiberglass works like a skeleton, an inner layer that comes in a solid shape.

The outer layers are made of asphalt mixed with ceramic. The asphalt keeps out water, and the ceramic keeps out UV light.

2. Metal

Metal is beloved for its durability and sustainability, but there are downsides as well. They save energy and can stand up to harsh weather, they tend to be more vulnerable to water than other types of shingles. They’re also more expensive than most other types of shingles.

Though metal is vulnerable to water, it doesn’t catch fire. Asphalt can under certain conditions, as can many other types of roofing material.

Metal roofing may be the best option for those living in an area with high heat and less rainfall.

3. Wood

Wooden shingles are energy efficient and sustainable. They’re also beautiful and have a lot of customization options.

The bad news is that they’re one of the worst choices in areas prone to harsh weather. They’re neither fireproof nor waterproof. Worse yet, they can attract pests like termites, which can cause a lot of damage in the long run.

While regular maintenance and a few advancements in roofing technology can make these far less likely, they’re still a very real threat. Wooden roof shingles are best for those who want a beautiful, rustic roof and who are willing to work to keep it.

The Many Types of Roof Shingles

There are several different types of roof shingles in terms of both style and materials. We’ve mentioned only a few in the paragraphs above, but there are plenty more out there. We encourage you to do more research on your own if you’re interested.

If you want more information and advice on roofing please visit our site. We can tell you all about the different parts of the roof. Roofs are quite complex in terms of structure.