Cement or concrete shingles are considered among the most resilient types of shingles in the roofing industry. Standing alongside slate, clay and metal roofing, they are also fire-resistant and capable of withstanding hail impact quite easily and are used by the Castle Rock roofing companies.
But what are these shingles all about and why would you think of using them on your home? Below we will explore some of their main advantages and what makes them practical as well as an overall good choice for residential roofing.
What Are the Main Qualities of Cement Shingles?
Cement shingles are also called concrete shingles, and they are typically used for homes that need a strong and resilient roof. Think of Kansas with its strong winds or the northern states, where winter snowstorms can damage just about any roof. Here a concrete roof might be one of the best possible choices.
Aside from being strong and resilient, you might be surprised to find out just how many other qualities and benefits these roofing products actually have:
- They are pretty affordable compared to slate and clay. Even though slate roofing does last longer, cement roofs are rated at above 50 years in most cases, so you can still expect them to last quite a long time as long as you take proper care of them. Also, cement tiles and shingles can often mimic the properties of clay, but they’re only about half the price of a clay roof.
- Although their weight makes them difficult to handle and replace, it also keeps them in place so that cement roofing shingles will withstand much stronger winds than other varieties, including asphalt and metal roofing products.
- Concrete roofs also reflect sunlight quite well. As a result, they’re not just great for keeping your home safe in the winter, but also to prevent sunlight from increasing the heat to an exaggerated extent and causing your AC to work too hard.
- Finally, as mentioned earlier, concrete shingles can withstand the force of hail quite well. It’s worth mentioning that even compared to some metal roofs, which are known for their resilience, concrete shingle roofing will often have a similar or higher level of impact resistance.
Concrete Shingles vs. Tiles
It’s important to note that cement shingles are not necessarily the same as cement tiles. Tile roofing includes any type of roof that is arranged in a tile formation, where the tiles work together to sustain the roof in a similar pattern as that of a brick wall. As such, tile roofing is considered extremely resilient and is often times more costly than regular shingles.
Cement tiles are generally better but slightly more costly than regular cement shingles. They are also slightly more challenging to install and replace, so if you have trouble with them in the long run, then you might have to pay more for their repair. Overall, however, you’ll find that concrete shingles can offer just about the same level of protection as concrete tiles, so unless you need the absolute best protection from strong winds, hail or snowstorms, then getting a cement shingle roof will be quite a satisfactory endeavor.