Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements. Only a roofing system that is in good working condition will be able to protect your residence against serious water damage.

You have many options to choose from when it comes to installing a new roof on your home.

Learn more about the various types of residential shingles offered by roofing contractors so that you can choose the shingles that will best meet your long-term needs.

1. Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used shingles for residential roofing projects. The popularity of asphalt shingles can be attributed to their affordable price point.

Keep in mind that because asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing materials, they may not last as long as some more expensive shingles would.

You can enhance the durability of your asphalt shingles by upgrading to shingles with a specialized coating. This coating protects the shingles against UV damage and helps to extend the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof.

2. Slate Shingles

Slate shingles are made from natural stone. The durability and strength of the stone mean that slate shingles will last for many years.

Homeowners living in climates that see freezing temperatures on a regular basis often choose slate shingles because of their low water absorption rate. You won't have to worry about temperature fluctuations damaging slate shingles.

If you like the look of slate shingles but you don't want to pay the high purchase price associated with these roofing materials, you can choose to go with a synthetic slate instead.

Synthetic slate shingles offer many of the same advantages as their natural counterparts, but at a fraction of the cost.

3. Fiberglass Shingles

Homeowners looking for an affordable and versatile shingle often choose fiberglass shingles when replacing their roofs. Fiberglass shingles are lightweight and easy to install. This helps to keep installation costs as low as possible.

Most fiberglass shingles are coated with an asphalt and mineral compound. This coating makes fiberglass shingles waterproof and helps to protect them against physical damage over time.

As an added bonus, fiberglass shingles are fire-resistant. Choosing fiberglass shingles will reduce the potential for a house fire in your residence in the future.

The type of shingles you select for your home during a roof replacement will have a significant impact on the energy efficiency and performance of your home over time.

To get more info, contact a contractor near you.