Common Problems With Rubber Shingles
Because rubber shingles are so sturdy, there are few problems with their actual shipping, use, installation, or long-term effectiveness. However, rubber shingles are expensive, especially when compared to other low-grade shingle materials, like asphalt. They are far more cost effective and lighter in weight than slate tiles, but they are easily at least four times the cost of asphalt shingles. They may be more effective over the life of the home and require fewer repairs or replacements than asphalt shingles.
Energy Efficient Rubber Roofs
Rubber roofing shingles consist of up to 95% recycled materials, including recycled rubber and a number of other recycled materials, such as plastic and slate dust. Additionally, used shingles can be melted and recycled into a new product. Rubber roofing is available in a number of different colors and styles, so you dont have to feel limited by the dark gray shade that is usually associated with rubber. In fact, if you live in a warm climate, investing in white-on-black rubber roofing can help increase energy efficiency as it is highly resistant to UV rays and absorbs heat.
Make Sure You Find A Great Roofing Contractor For A Slate Or Synthetic Slate Roof
You now know the 4 main comparisons for a slate roof and synthetic slate roof. Both are great and long-lasting roof systems, but its up to you to decide which one is right for you.
Whichever one you choose, its crucial to find a roofing contractor with the experience necessary to make the investment worth it. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find a reputable roofing contractor out of all the options in your area.
To do this, you have to ask potential roofing contractors the right questions. But how do you know which questions to ask?
Because we want to help you and other homeowners make the right hiring decision, we developed a checklist of 16 questions to ask a roofing contractor and the right answers you should get back.
Dont throw your hard earned money away on a bad roofing contractor. Get your checklist now.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services to homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas since 1990. No matter what service is needed, you can count on our workmanship and lifetime warranty to be there to take care of you for years to come.
If youre local to Nashville, dont hesitate to contact us for any of your roofing needs.
Whether youre local to Nashville or not, get your checklist of 16 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor, so you have the power to make the hiring decision.
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An Improved Alternative Brava Synthetic Slate
Brava synthetic slate tiles have all the benefits of rubber slate roofing without the drawbacks. They are an improved version of rubber roofing and are resistant to fire damage, have no smell, create a more natural appearance, and can be installed like normal roofing tiles.Brava tiles are made from 100% recycled post-production plastic, making them eco-friendly and sustainable.
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Technical Reviewers & References
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What Is A Bonnet Roof
You can think of a bonnet roof as a reverse mansard roof.
They are also referred to as kicked-eaved roofs and like mansard roofs, they feature a double slope but unlike mansard roofing, the upper slope has less of a pitch on a bonnet roof.
With a bonnet roof, the lower slope hangs over the front and back of the house, making it an excellent cover for a porch or outdoor patio.
These types of roofs are not particularly common in the U.S. outside of the southeast , but they do offer some advantages.
These include extra living or storage space under the roof, plenty of room for dormer windows, and the overhanging eaves help protect the siding and the rest of the structure from water damage.
Plus, the structure which is essentially a modified hip roof is more durable than a gable roof.
Keep in mind that if you have a bonnet roof, are considering purchasing a home that has one, or planning on building one, a bonnet or kicked-eave roof can be more expensive to install or maintain due to its complex structure and the possibility of water settling in the valleys between the slopes, so extra care will need to be taken when waterproofing those spots.
Bonnet roofs can be crafted from nearly any standard roofing material, including asphalt shingles, metal shingles, slate, or wooden shingles or shakes.
What Slate Shingle Roofing Is
True slate roof shingles are 100-percent natural stone with no additives. Much like natural granite counters, slate roofing is quarried directly from the earth.
Slate can be identified by the way the light hits it from a certain angle. This is due to slate tile’s high mica content. Some slate can have up to 40-percent mica content. So, not only is it the texture of the stone that creates its unique lookit’s that low-level shine, as well.
One reason for slate’s superior roof-tiling quality is its cleavage abilities. Think of a good piece of slate much like a deck of cards. Because slate is a sedimentary rock, it is formed of many layers, and these layers can cleave, or slice, off like the individual cards in a deck of cards.
Slate shingle roofing requires installers who are experts at working with slate. Because of this, not all areas have companies that can install slate shingle roofing.
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How Much Does A Rubber Roof Cost
Single-ply rubber roofing costs anywhere from $5.50 to $10 per square foot.
The final cost largely depends on the specific material. The thickness of said material and whether the installer fully adheres , mechanically fastens , or uses ballast , also plays a role in pricing.
Additionally, project costs will increase if you need to tear off existing materials and add decking or insulation during the roof replacement. Penetrations such as skylights, HVAC units, and chimneys will also add to costs as they introduce more roof installation complications.
Traditional Slate Roof Cost
The high cost of materials and installation of a slate roof may deter many homeowners. The total slate roofing costs per roofing square range from $1200 to $3300 the most expensive roofing material on the market. Material costs for a slate roof vary greatly depending on the durability, color, and thickness. The most attractive and sturdy slate tiles can cost a staggering amount of money three times more than a lesser-quality-slate tile. The range in installation costs generally represents the expertise of the roofing contractor. The longevity and performance of a slate roof depend on proper installation by an experienced contractor specializing in slate roofing, which will cost a homeowner more, but is essential to the roofs success.
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Are Rubber Roof Shingles Worth It
Considering all these properties, its hard to think that rubber shingles arent some of the most dependable roofing solutions.
This is especially true if you live in a hurricane-prone area such as the Midwest. Rubber shingles can withstand winds of extreme speeds and huge hailstones.
Admittedly, the curb appeal of rubber roof shingles isnt ideal, but its safe to say that the pros convincingly outweigh the cons.
Choose either Enviroshake or Euroshield, and youll reap the benefits of your well-protected roofing for decades to come.
What Is A Butterfly Roof
This is a type of roof that is v-shaped with two raised wings that meet in a valley in the middle much like a butterfly that is mid-flight.
Butterfly roofs can have a dramatic effect and they are a good choice for homes with contemporary styling and for homes in arid or desert climates since the valley in the center allows for rainwater to be collected (there is usually a reservoir for this purpose incorporated into the design.
Butterfly roofs also allow for larger windows bringing in more natural light and PV solar panels are fairly easy to add on, making this an increasingly popular option for areas suited to this type of construction, like the southwestern U.S. and tropical areas of the southeast.
That said, these types of roofs are more complicated to build and maintain, and it is essential to ensure that the drainage system and waterproofing are top-notch.
Solid membranes are suggested, although metal and other organic materials may work to keep a butterfly roof watertight depending on your location.
The large windows and open design of a butterfly roof may also increase your heating and cooling costs since it will be more difficult to regulate the temperature inside the home.
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Question: Staining On Building From Roof Shingles Made From Recycled Tires
Here are photos of the gutters and sliding door trim that are just below the roof. If you’re able to enlarge them, you will see the black stain that’s coming from the roof shingles.
There are no trees around the house. We live in New Jersey right on the bay. Our builder had the gutters washed, but the black stain could not be removed.
Also, upon further investigation, my husband found extra shingles stored under the eaves of our attic. To our surprise “Royal Roofing” was stamped on the inside of each shingle–not Eternit!
Are these two separate companies? The architect’s notes indicated “Eternit” as the roofing tiles–now I’m confused. Unfortunately, he has passed away and his business was dissolved.
When I contacted Eternit in England via e-mail, they said that they never manufactured a roof tile made from “recycled” tires. That was exactly how our architect described the tiles to us! He was very excited about its reported durability and longevity. Once again, Daniel, I hope you can shed light on this dilemma! – M.
Reply: Bleed-out and run-down stains on the building vs. shingle life
I’d like to see sharp photos of your roof shingles in place, both the field of the roof and closeups of the shingles, and I’d certainly want to see photos of the surfaces and markings of the extra shingles you found in your attic so that we can more accurately identify and contact the manufacturer with follow-up questions.
is at STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS – home
How Are Synthetic Slate Shingles Made
Im sure the initial description of synthetic slate shingles makes them sound like some sort of super material. While they are not quite that, they are definitely making life easier when it comes to roof installations and repairs that were previously a very expensive endeavor.
These synthetic slate shingles are made through the process of injection molding. Petroleum-based materials are injected into these metal forms that are actually cast from authentic slate. There are certainly some brands of synthetic slate shingles that use virgin plastic or rubber in the manufacturing process. There are others that use recycled plastic or rubber as well as cellulose fibers or mineral dust. Really, there are quite a few ways to do this and using recycled content actually consists of using high-quality post-industrial materials there are only a few manufacturers that incorporate recycled materials that are post-consumer.
Once the molded materials harden, you have a shingle that is synthetic slate that is made to stand up to the test of time for a far lesser cost than the shingles of their namesake.
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What Are Rubber Roof Shingles
Recycled rubber and environmentally friendly, sustainable, and flexible plastics are the main components of rubber shingles. They provide higher energy-efficiency than other shingle materials in the industry.
Rubber shingles come in rolls or sheets, making the installation process a lot easier than usual. Even though they are made of plastics and used tires, manufacturers develop with a wide range of designs that replicate asphalt shingles, tiles, cedar shake, or slates.
Many rubber shingle manufacturers include at least 80% of recycled materials and a composite of other materials such as sawdust. As a result, rubber roof shingles have great durability and an architectural appearance. In general, these shingles are between 45-90 mm thick.
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And We Guarantee The System For 20 Years
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We would highly recommend Creative Living and their cabins. The team was super professional, courteous and helpful at every stage. And the cabin itself is of excellent quality and excellent value for money.
A big thank you to Martin, Stuart and Graham! If youre thinking of getting a cabin/garden room get one with these fine people, youll wish you did it sooner!
We are learning to live with the new cabin. Its always a shock to walk in to it and realise that Hey, this is ours! Wow. It really is beautiful and extremely well built.
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We liked the choice of cabin styles offered by Creative Living, and overall we had a positive experience and a good quality product. One after sales issue was also handled well.
The Ultimate Slate Alternative
Inspires synthetic roofing slate shingle is a US engineered and manufactured, lightweight composite that is fast becoming the go-to material for architects, builders, designers and home renovators . . . and with good reason. These trending, all-weather roofing slates are highly durable, quick and easy to install with low maintenance requirements with a 40 year warranty.
Inspire roofing tiles or shingles are suited to low pitch roofs and offer hail & storm damage protection. They have been designed to give your project the prestigious look and feel of traditional slate but at a far lower cost. They wont break either – so no expensive repair bills! These are the perfect alternative to traditional slate tiles and ideal for homes, cabanas, gazebos,& Bali huts.
Inspires synthetic roofing slates were designed and manufactured in the US by a subsidiary of the Tapco Group. It was bought by Boral in 2017.
Image: Boathouse on Sydney harbour – the first Inspire roof in Australia
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Testimonials From The Slate Roofers Contractor Association
- Our general observations revealed some discolored or faded products. Others curled without cracking but opened enough to allow water into buildings. In general, most fiber-cement materials quickly became unfit for roofing or became so unattractive owners were unhappy with the appearance.
- The relentless marketing by the manufacturers, with claims of 50-75 year lifespans, less weight, colors and designer patterns, and ease of installation coupled with the consumers lack of understanding of natural slate roofs for the most part has left us as traditional roofers little choice but to install these or starve.
- Many of the fake slate manufacturers have gone out of business, but new ones keep popping up . It doesnt make sense to me to go with an untested product when one that is tried and proven and about the same cost is available.
Read more testimonials from the Slate Roofing Contractors Association website:
Pro: Custom Made For You Cut To Size Service
The EPDM membrane that we provide will be cut to specification to fit your roof, including the necessary overhang to ensure easy installation. The best way to specify the exact sizes is to call us on 01303 769 990, but you can also send these to us on a web order form by including your dimensions in the delivery note section.
Having the rubber roofing cut to size means you can get a standard roof done with one membrane. If you have a couple of pieces of membrane to join together, you will need to use the 5 Flashing Tape.
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Should You Install A Slate Shingle Roof
Slate shingle roofing will last for a long time. If you plan to be in your house for at least 30 years, a slate roof may be right for you since the cost will amortize over that long period. For shorter periods of ownership, slate shingles may cost more than their eventual resale value.
If it’s simply the look of slate roofing that you want, investigate recycled rubber slate-style shingles. Made from up to 80-percent old tires and other post-consumer rubber products, rubber slate roofing is one of the eco-friendlier products you can use. Rubber slate has the textured look of slate and even its thickness, without many of the downsides of real slate.
Rubber slate roofing is lighter in weight than real slate. While recycled rubber slate shingles are not fireproof, they are considered to be fire-resistant. Natural slate can crack rubber slate shingles are very flexible and rarely will split.