Roof Shingles

For surfacing of a roof, roof shingles are by far the most popular option. There is a large variety from which to choose, they are easy to install even as a do it yourself project and they are very cost effective.

The most popular shingles are asphalt, which are a combination of fibre glass and minerals. These provide very good resistance against all kinds of weather conditions and are economical. They have a life expectancy of up to twenty years and are easy to replace.

Cedar roofing shingles are solid North American Red Cedar wood shingles that are available as treated or non-treated product. With age, they weather to an attractive silvery grey colour.

Felt roof shingles are flexible and made of bitumen. They are available in a variety of colours and are easy to install using special adhesives applied by means of a squeeze dispenser. The biggest manufacturer is IKO; their range includes Superglass-Biber, Armourglass, Armourshield, Diamant and the Cambridge shingles.

Shingles are manufactured in different shapes; apart from the generally available rectangles, there are also octagonal and semi-circular shingles for a different look for your roof. Colours include red, black, green, blue, brown and slate grey. They are also available in slate, copper, tin, cement, plastic and asbestos.

Most shingles are manufactured from light weight material. The drawback to this is that they can easily be blown off the roof by strong wind and should be properly installed. They need regular maintenance to prevent the accumulation of moss, algae and leaves. They are also susceptible to corrosion, rust and deterioration. If they are properly proofed against these eventualities, their life expectancy will be increased.