Why a Rubber Shake Roof Isn’t the Answer
Choosing the right roof is a crucial part of planning a home's exterior. The roof is what protects your home and keeps it well insulated. These days, there is a wide range of roofing options, with new options coming around every few years.
One of the newest options is rubber shake shingles. This is a unique option, which was created as an alternative to other styles of roofing. Here is what you should know about rubber shingles and rubber roofing material.
What Are Rubber Shake Shingles?
Rubber shake shingles and rubber roofing materials are a newer, budget-friendly roofing option that comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. One of the most popular styles is the cedar shake style. These shingles are made to resemble real, hand-split cedar shingles, but are actually made of rubber. They can also be made to resemble other types of traditional roofing, like slate.
The Benefits of a Rubber Shake Roof
1. Hurricane-Grade Performance
When installed correctly, rubber roofing material is incredibly strong and can withstand wind uplifts of up to 110 mph. This also means that rubber shingles are also able to withstand hailstone impact from hail up to 2-inches in diameter without damage. As a result, they are an excellent option for hurricane or storm-prone states, as the shingles will survive strong storms with heavy winds.
2. No Rotting, Bending, or Discoloration
Other types of roofing shingles like asphalt, cedar, and metal all are prone to some type of issues. Asphalt shingles can lose granules and tear, cedar shingles can rip and rot, and metal shingles can become dented from hail or other small impacts. A rubber shingle roof, however, does not have any of these problems because of its durability . Rubber shingles are resistant to bend, rot, crack, crumble, or become discolored no matter how much time passes.
3. Moisture, Mildew, and Pest-Resistant
One of the crucial features every homeowner should look for when choosing a roofing material is moisture resistance. If you have a roof that lets in moisture, it can lead to issues like mold and mildew, which can prove disastrous to the health of your roof, and even the occupants. Fortunately, since rubber is moisture-resistant, this is not an issue. In addition, rubber shingles also are resistant to burrowing bugs that can affect other roofing materials like real cedar shingles.
The Disadvantages of a Rubber Shake Roof
1. The Cost
Unfortunately, just because they are made from rubber, a rubber roof is not automatically more affordable. This is especially true considering the durability that rubber shingles offer. A rubber shake roof can cost twice as much as an asphalt roof for the initial install and is about the same cost as metal or cedar shakes.
2. The Smell (Kind of)
The smell of a roof isn't something you think about normally, but you'd be surprised at the effect it can have. While some roofs don't have any specific scent, cedar has that natural, woodsy scent that makes one think of mountains and forests. Rubber–especially brand new rubber shake shingles–will have a powerful odor. It will fade over time and the smell may not be the case depending on the rubber material manufacturer.
A Synthetic Composite Alternative
While there are some great benefits to rubber shake shingles, there are still drawbacks – primarily the cost and the smell of new rubber roofing material (when newly installed). While it can be a more durable option than cedar shakes, it costs the same to install, so you aren't saving that much. That's where synthetic composite roofing products add value.
1. Durability
Synthetic composite shakes are incredibly durable: many have a Class A Fire Rating and Class 4 Impact Rating, the highest resistance ratings possible.
2. Lightweight and Insulating
Another significant benefit to composite or synthetic roofing is that it can be incredibly light weight. This makes it much more light weight than virtually every roofing option on the market. But, the light weight factor does not change the fact that these roofing shakes may also be highly insulating, which means homes will be better insulated, saving homeowners money on heating and cooling costs.
3. Low Maintenance
One of the biggest draws to synthetic composite roofing is that it is an incredibly low maintenance material. Routine maintenance and removing debris and hosing off the roof occasionally to keep it free from dirt and grime is essential.
4. The Cost
What really brings home the value of synthetic roofing is the price. Compared to other roofing options, including a rubber shake roof, composite roofing may be affordable for initial installation. It is light weight and easy to install, which helps cut down significantly on installation costs. It is so low maintenance, you won't even have to spend any extra money to take care of it, as long as you have running water.
See for Yourself if you like Alternatives to Rubber
At first glance, rubber shake shingles sounds like a wonderful alternative to traditional cedar shakes. You will still get more benefits than a traditional roofing option, but you would spend just as much to install rubber shingles as you would a real cedar roof.