As a homeowner, you know that when the time comes to replace your roof, durability is a must – and one reason is because Baltimore and the surrounding areas experience a wide range of weather conditions throughout the course of a year. From rain and hail, to sleet, snow, and wind, Maryland homeowners need a quality roofing shingle that can withstand even the most severe weather conditions.
When you begin researching options for your roof shingles in Maryland, the materials, colors, and styles are endless. In fact, the sheer volume of choices can become overwhelming. To help you simplify the process, the list below will give you several suggestions for suitable home roof shingles that will both look great and last:
Suggestions for the Best Shingles for Maryland Roofs
- Asphalt shingles
By far, asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing product. In fact, 80% of roofs today are made of asphalt. When considering geography and weather conditions, asphalt shingles are a perfect choice for those living in Maryland because of their wind and fire resistant qualities. Not only that, but asphalt shingles “provide quality. . . versatility and economy” (Source: Asphaltroofing.org). Another huge plus in using asphalt shingles is the fact that they require little to no maintenance to keep them looking great.
Certainteed is one company that provides homeowners with an extensive variety of asphalt shingles for the home. Certainteed’s Landmark® architectural style shingles are the most popular, and for a business that has been selling roofing products for more than 110 years, they boast a solid track record as well.
- Slate roofing products
Slate roofs can give your home an absolutely stunning appearance, thanks to the beauty of this natural material. It’s not just appearance, either, that makes slate an appealing option; slate is incredibly durable, too. According to Home Advisor, a slate roof can last for more than a century! So, if you’re the type of person who wants to roof your home only once – and never go through the replacement process again – slate may be a perfect fit for you.
However, there are some downsides to this roofing product. First, a material as sturdy as slate comes with a much heftier price tag. In fact, you may spend more than double what you would spend for other roofing materials. And because slate is so heavy, you absolutely must ensure that your home can withstand the additional weight before moving forward with this type of product.
- Wood/cedar shingles or shakes
Another natural material, wood, is considered a premier building product used to protect the roofing system on your Maryland home. While cedar is a common material for wood roofs, this shingle category also includes wood from pine, cypress, and redwood trees.
Shakes versus shingles – what’s the difference? Shakes are thicker and more textured looking, and because they are not entirely uniform, this will give your roof a unique look. Meanwhile, shingles have a more identical, smooth appearance. (Source: Customshingles.com). Both are pricier than the popular asphalt shingle, at approximately $5.50-$10.00 per square foot, compared to $4.00-$7.00 per square foot (for asphalt). And while wood shakes can withstand the wind (unlike asphalt), wood shakes are not fire-resistant and may weaken with too much rain and moisture (Source: CeDur.com).
If you really like the look of wood but don’t like the price tag (or, if you fear the risk of your roof succumbing to moisture), there is a manmade option: CertainTeed Shingles Landmark®PRO. According to Certainteed.com, this product is “engineered with two laminated layers to replicate the dimensional appearance of [a] true wood shake . . . [and] Landmark®PRO offers peace-of-mind on projects that call for a premier aesthetic at an affordable price.” Unlike traditional wood, these synthetic shingles are fire-resistant and weather-resistant, and the CertainTeed Shingles Landmark®PRO line includes 15-year to 50-year warranties including coverage for algae and wind resistance, along with 10-years of SureStart™ protection and a limited lifetime warranty. There are many warranty options available depending on the product being installed on the roof of the home.
- Metal roofing
According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, there are numerous reasons you may wish to consider a metal roof for your home. This durable material can last “up to 50 years or more with little maintenance, can often be repainted versus replaced, and may even increase the sale value of your home” (Source: Metalroofing.com). And if you live in Maryland, a metal roof can withstand wind, rain, hail, etc. – even fire! The downside is that, like slate and wood, metal can cost more than asphalt.
The options for metal roofs are almost endless. Some of the common metal roofing materials include aluminum, tin, copper, steel, and zinc. And once you select the type of metal you prefer, there are a variety of styles as well: shakes, shingles, tile, and slate profiles, just to name a few (Source: Americanmetalroofs.com).
Mid-Atlantic Remodeling Company: #1 for Maryland shingle roofing & siding contractors
Mid-Atlantic Remodeling Company prides itself on having Maryland’s premier shingle roofing and siding contractors, ready to serve you. Our company is proud to be Certainteed-certified, which means our contractors have been proven to demonstrate skill and quality in their workmanship. In addition, our staff is knowledgeable and professional, and we are always happy to answer your questions before, during, and after the job is completed.
Visit our website at https://www.midatlanticremodelingco.com, and take a look at the variety of roofing projects we’ve completed. With more than 10 years of experience, we are ready meet your roofing repair and replacement needs affordably . . . and on-time. Call us today at (410) 918-0563 to learn more.
