Asphalt Roof Shingles versus Spanish Tile

Maybe your home is due for a Cypress roof replacement? If so, then one of your decision points would be which material to use. As part of Blue Ribbon Roofing’s commitment to educate homeowners about their roofs so that they can make informed decisions, our Houston roof experts talk about asphalt roof shingles and Spanish tile in this article.

Which Material to Use for your Cypress Roof Replacement

Asphalt Roof Shingles

Asphalt roof shingles is a type of roof shingle made from asphalt due to its waterproofing properties. As a relatively inexpensive and durable roofing material, they are preferred by many homeowners for Cypress roof replacement. They are made by saturating a base material membrane with hot liquid asphalt. Base materials usually used are felt, wool, jute, wood pulp, and fiberglass membrane. A thicker asphalt coating is then applied to both sides of the asphalt-saturated membrane. While this coating is still wet, granules made from slate, schist, quartz, vitrified brick, stone, or ceramic are applied to the exposed portion of the roof shingles. These granules make the shingles resistant to UV rays. Adhesive asphalt that would be activated by the heat from the sun is applied to the bottom side of the shingle so that the shingles stick to each other.

Spanish Roof Tiles

The next material that you could also consider for your Cypress roof replacement is Spanish Tile. Roof tiles are traditionally made from terracotta or slate, but advancements in technology have introduced modern materials such as concrete, metal, and plastic. Tiles made from clay can slowly disperse heat throughout the day as opposed to other materials that release all the heat during the day, which causes a spike in temperature. Different types of roof tiles can be categorized as flat tiles or barrel tiles (e.g. Mission Tiles and Spanish Tiles). Spanish Tiles are “S”-shaped roof tiles that form stylish crests and troughs when installed. Aside from looking aesthetically pleasing, the pattern allows for airflow to dissipate heat during summer.

Pros and Cons

When it comes to choosing which material to use for their Cypress roof replacement, the homeowner can look at initial cost, cost to maintain in the long run, and style. 

• Initial Cost - Asphalt roof shingles have a cheaper cost to install. No major modifications are necessary when installing asphalt roof shingles. Spanish tiles, because they are heavier, may require structural reinforcements. There are also maximum slope restrictions for using Spanish roof tile. This feature alone may cause the homeowner to choose asphalt roof shingles. 
• Maintenance Costs - As for maintenance costs in the long run, Spanish Tile wins. Spanish roof tiles have a longer lifespan than asphalt roof shingles. They are also more durable and are known to withstand even volatile climates with hurricanes or tornadoes. 
• Style - Spanish tile hands down wins this category. Spanish tiles form stylish barrel patterns that are easily recognizable especially when viewed from the curb. It is widely known Cypress roof replacement with Spanish roof tiles can increase a home’s valuation.

Contract an Award-Winning Roof for your Cypress Roof Replacement

Still cannot decide which material to use for your Cypress Roof replacement? As an award-winning roofer you can trust we can help you decide by discussing the finer details with you such as budget, financing, and your style vision. Call us now and schedule your free roof inspection and consultation.