Wood Roofing shingles are a popular roofing material in some parts of the country due to their natural appearance and durability. They are often made from cedar, redwood, or pine, and can last up to 50 years with proper care and maintenance. Wood shingles also provide excellent insulation, helping to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
However, like any roofing material, wood shingles require regular maintenance to stay in good condition.
When you notice that some roof tiles are coming loose and your energy bills are soaring, you should consider hiring a roofing contractor to help you make this all-important decision: whether it’s time to replace your roof and what type of shingle you should use.
There are many types of shingles available on the market, all of which have their draws and drawbacks. Many are only indicated for certain climates: for example, clay tiles are only recommended for the Southwest, and metal tiles are only suitable for the Northeast and Southeast. This leads us to the best choice for Minnesota homes: weathered wood shingles, which combine the durability of asphalt shingles with the beautiful aesthetic of wood.
What are Weathered Wood Shingles?
When you hear “weathered wood,” you probably imagine old, bleached wood shingles on a log cabin from the pioneer days. However, pure wood shingles are expensive, and they don’t have the same waterproofing and insulation as more advanced roof treatments, which makes them prone to leaking and higher energy bills.
That’s why there are now weathered wood roofing shingles, which combine the rustic beauty of wood with the technological power of asphalt shingles. These shingles don’t sacrifice any of the lovely, homey looks of real weathered wood, but they are more durable, waterproof, and insulating than natural wood.
In other words, weathered wood is one of the many colors that you can select for asphalt shingles, which mimic other materials but provide the security of asphalt. Many homeowners don’t realize that there are hundreds of different color scapes you can choose from when repairing your roof. That might have been true in decades past, but now you can find the exact color you think will work best for your home’s style – and one of the best bets is weathered wood asphalt shingles.
Why are Weathered Wood Shingles a Great Choice for a Minnesota Home?
The first reason why weathered wood shingles are a superior choice for your Minnesota house goes back to the material: asphalt. Of all the shingle types on the market, asphalt is the best option for Northern homes because it’s waterproof and has the flexibility to bend with the weight of heavy snowfall, meaning that it won’t warp or crack during a blizzard. The last thing you need when cuddled up to the fireplace as the winds roar is to worry that your roof is going to cave in on you!
Asphalt is also one of the cheapest housing materials available, usually less than $100 per 100 square feet of roof. Other materials can cost almost twice as much, which equals thousands of extra dollars for your roofing project; given that roofing is an expensive home renovation already, you want to find a budget-friendly solution that always performs well under the pressures of a snowy winter. That’s why asphalt is the perfect solution for Minnesota houses that need a new roof.
Last on the discussion regarding asphalt itself is its fireproofing and wind resistance. Safety is foremost on everyone’s mind, and asphalt is an extremely safe material that can withstand immense heat without catching on fire – much unlike its more primitive cousin, real wood shingles. Hailstorms are also not uncommon in Minnesota, and most asphalt materials can withstand high impact without breaking, a powerful boon in a place that deals with high winds and strong storms.
Now that we understand why asphalt itself is great, let’s talk about the color of weathered wood roofing shingles, which are an attractive brown that mimics real wood. The best thing about weathered wood is that it looks remarkable with nearly any color of brick, from a deep black to a bright red. Many roof tiles will clash with most brick, meaning that you have to carefully examine the color palette to ensure your home won’t look awkward; however, this isn’t a problem with weathered wood, whose rich hue will happily accommodate any brick.
Final Thoughts
It’s more than clear that weathered wood roofing shingles are your best option for any Minnesota home: they combine the natural charm of wood with the durability and security of asphalt shingles. When you’re ready to contact a qualified roofing contractor, you can be assured that your home will be gorgeous with its new roof which will provide you peace of mind for years to come.
