Rubber shingles haven’t been around for too long, at least in comparison to traditional wood shingles. As with other roofing options, there are many pros and cons you need to be aware of before you buy a rubber roof. An experienced Broken Arrow roofer can walk you through the decision process and advise what’s best for your home.
Pros of Rubber Shingles
Environmental- Rubber shingles are made primarily from recycled tires and other rubber sources. They also won’t allow moisture to escape, just like vinyl siding. This makes rubber shake shingles a great option for the environmentally conscious homeowner.
Durability– Bending, discoloration, rotting, cracking, and crumbling are all problems you won’t have with rubber shake shingles. The recycled rubber used in rubber shingles can resist these common problems that plague other kinds of shingles. This is not to say that rubber shingles will last forever, but they are a bit more durable than other shingles.
Discount- This doesn’t apply to all rubber shingles, but a lot are class 4 impact resistant shingles. This comes in handy in Oklahoma during storm season. Most insurance companies will give a discount for having a class 4 impact resistant shingle, some discounts can be up to 25%.
Cons of Rubber Shingles
Price- Because rubber shingles are so durable and impact resistance, they aren’t cheap. There are certainly more expensive shingles out there, but if you’re looking for the absolute cheapest option rubber shingle may not be for you.
Install– The installation process for rubber shingles can take a bit longer than wood shingles or composite shingles. In the long run, this obviously won’t be an issue but it’s still something to consider.
Smell- This is rare, but it does happen. Every now and then rubber shingles can get a little smelly if the sun heats them up enough. Again, this is very rare and by no means does every rubber roof smell.
Another thing to consider is the look of rubber shingles. Some like it and others don’t. For the most part, rubber shingles look like wood or composite shingles, unless you really look closely. Always ask to see some samples from your Broken Arrow roofing company before you buy.