You want the best roofing material to cover your home with a roofing contractor who’s going to install the material properly. For existing homes throughout the San Gabriel Valley, your choices come down to selecting tile or asphalt shingles. Both can last for decades and there are myths surrounding the products.
So how do you choose between them?
Here are some useful guidelines.
Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and thickness.
Knowing differences between tile and asphalt
Having the right information to make your choice is important so let’s address two common misunderstandings: tile is heavy and asphalt shingles are a lesser quality product that don’t last as long as tile.
If you’ve heard information about roofing material that’s more than ten years old, then get ready to wipe it out of your mind. Manufacturers in their research and development have created great roofing products.
Let’s first address tile myths and facts.
Myth: tile is heavy.
Fact: tile makers offer lightweight tile products.
At Garvey Roofing, we source from a few different tile brands including Eagle, Boral, U.S. Tile and MCA. Both U.S. Tile and MCA offer “authentic clay roofing tile” and “superior clay roof tile.”
Eagle offers concrete tile with an attractive design.
Boral creates concrete, steel and composite tile.
As a roofing contractor with more than 30 years of experience in cities like Pasadena, Arcadia and Bradbury we’re aware that tile doesn’t have to be a heavy structural burden, but you still have to take into account the home’s age and ability to handle a load.
Now, let’s look at asphalt shingles.
Myth: they’re a lesser product than tile.
Fact: asphalt shingles made today have a multi-dimensional appearance and can last as many years as a tile roof.
We source our asphalt shingles from roofing distributors that carry the two most popular brands on the market: GAF-Elk, CertainTeed and Owens Corning. All three are highly regarded companies that invest heavily in research and development.
We can show you pictures of roofs with asphalt shingles that are as aesthetically pleasing as tile. They’re also highly fire resistant.
A main difference between tile and asphalt shingles in the multi-dimensional look is that asphalt shingles are made in layers and have a woven appearance.
Both tile and asphalt shingles are quality products but how they achieve their dimensional look is the major difference.
Your home’s structure will guide you in choosing tile or asphalt
When deciding between tile and asphalt shingles, your home will often make the choice for you because of regulation
s around fire, the age and style of your home and your budget.
Style impacts roofing materials
Older southwestern style homes throughout the cities of Pasadena, San Gabriel and Temple City have a combination of a flat roof that’s not visible and surrounding walls and a front that’s covered in tile.
You would do well to maintain that look using a southwestern looking tile.
Bungalow style homes in places like Monrovia and Pasadena can likely benefit more from a lighter asphalt shingle roof.
A contemporary home built in the 1970s or later that has a grand appearance can maximize that look with a high-quality asphalt shingle roof.
Local regulations
Tile may be the only choice in certain zones along the foothills in cities like Arcadia.
Many homes in our area once had wooden shake roofs. Fire danger has eliminated that choice, but multi-dimensional asphalt shingles or shake tile can mimic that look.
Cost of roofing materials
Asphalt shingles roofs are typically less than tile, but we’d have to compare styles and looks to cost them out exactly.
Your goals as a homeowner impact roofing material
You may see yourself living in your home for the next thirty years or longer, or you may want a simple low-cost solution if you’re planning to move in the near future.
Your goals will impact the final result and we’d like to hear from you since it’s your house.
We’re capable of designing the type of roof that you’d like. In one case, we worked with a homeowner who grew up back east and wanted a house to have an east coast appearance.
After a little research, we came up with a design that worked for her and used different components.
At Garvey Roofing, we listen to what you want and use the best materials that fit your budget. The end result is that you’ll have a roof that will protect your home for all seasons.
Please note that we guarantee labor and materials—a unique promise in the roofing industry.
Call us for a free estimate–(626) 358-9208.
