Cedar vs. Asphalt vs. Rubber Shakes and Shingles

Last updated 3 months ago

Vancouver homeowners have a lot of effective, practical options to choose from when picking a roofing material for their homes. However, not every material available is ideal for every home’s location or needs. Here’s a look at three common roofing materials you can have installed on your residential roof by Penfolds Roofing Inc., and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Cedar Shingles and Shakes

Many different species are used to produce wood roofing, but cedar is the most commonly used. Cedar roofs are unique in many different ways—cedar shakes have a distinct, rustic look, while cedar shingles are a bit more reserved. Both are designed to allow air to circulate through them, which is not necessarily true for other roofing materials. Cedar roofs are also naturally insect-resistant. Given all of these benefits, cedar roofing is slightly more expensive than other roofing options.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material available today. Homeowners choose asphalt shingles primarily for their cost—when compared to other roofing materials, asphalt is very inexpensive and economical. But the most basic asphalt shingles will not give you the longest-lasting protection, averaging only about 15 years. Higher-end asphalt shingles are a little more expensive, but can sometimes last up to 30 years or more. Asphalt shingles are also available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and styles, giving homeowners total control over the look of their new residential roof.

Rubber Shingles

Homeowners may also consider rubber shingles. Rubber is a great alternative to standard roofing materials because it’s available in a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes. It’s also resistant to fire and wind, and is fully recyclable. Residential rubber roofing may carry warranties of up to 50 years, and can be recycled when it is finally replaced.

If you’d like to learn more about different roofing materials, contact Vancouver’s roofing experts at Penfolds Roofing Inc. by calling (604) 254-4663.