A Simple Guide to Rubber Roof Shingles

Rubber-based roof materials are becoming a popular option for residential homes, especially in storm-battered areas. Hailstones can pose a massive problem for many other tile-types, breaking them, splitting them, or causing them to move away from their original spot. This is less likely to happen with rubber roof tiles; the rubber absorbs most of the impact from the frozen projectile. That's not to say that they will always be the better option, though. In fact, this roofing material might just come with more negative side effects than you first may have thought …



WHAT DO RUBBER ROOF SHINGLES LOOK LIKE?
Rubber roof tiles are made up of recycled materials, usually a large amount of vehicle tires. This does make the roof fairly eco-friendly, but you must remember that there will be other elements to the materials that might not always be pleasant, including chemicals and glue adhesives, among other things. At the end of the roof’s life, the shingles can be taken down and reused/recycled again. If you wanted rubber roofs with the aesthetic appeal of cedar shakes or slate tiles, you could easily achieve that. This material has come a long way, and it is now possible to get rubber tiles that look like other tile finishes. You could have all of the appeal of a slate roof, without the expense and maintenance that often comes with it.

RUBBER SHINGLES — THE PROS
Rubber roofs can withstand some pretty impressive forces of nature, including hailstones, high winds, belting rain, freezing temperatures, and more. Hot temperatures can occasionally cause a problem, but most rubber roof shingles are treated so that too much heat doesn’t affect them. Being eco-friendly (to an extent) is definitely a big selling point of this roofing material, but you may find that some roofing contractors or companies don't work with rubber, or only work with rubber in certain areas. You should get in touch with companies local to you to see which kind of services they offer, and also to ask about pricing.

RUBBER SHINGLES — THE CONS
There are cons to most tile types, and all roofing structures require some sort of upkeep in order to keep them in the best condition. Rubber shingle roofs are no exception. You will still need to ensure that moss and algae is removed if it starts to form, and any damages or splits should be diagnosed and then resolved as quickly as possible. Rubber roofing is a great idea if you want a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of replacing your roof, while at the same time mimicking the look of other, more expensive roof types.

Visit our Roof Contractor home page to learn more about us, or hire a local professional from over 100 USA locations.

© Roof-Contractor.org - Professional Roofing Contractors

This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All person depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.