Seattle is home to a mild climate, but that mild climate is paired with many days of rain. An abundance of rain also means an abundance of moisture. There isn’t necessarily one single type of material that is considered the best for Seattle homes, but there are roofing shingles that are better choices than others.
When you’re researching which roofing shingles to get for your home, you’ll want to find one that fits your needs. We’ll take an in-depth look at the top roofing shingles for Seattle homes and address the pros and cons of the different materials.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material you’ll find if you drive around any neighborhood. They’re incredibly affordable and come in a variety of colors to complement your home. However, despite their popularity, they’re not a great choice for Seattle homes because they’re porous. This poses a problem for Seattle homes due to the year-round rain we get here, making asphalt shingles prone to mold.
Besides being porous, why are asphalt shingles not ideal for Seattle? Their lifetime value is more expensive than other roofing materials simply because they only last up to 20 years. In addition, asphalt shingles aren’t very durable, so they require more frequent repairs compared to their composition shingle, rubber, or metal counterparts.
Composition Shingles
Composition shingles aren’t as common as asphalt shingles, but they’re gaining popularity as the eco-friendly alternative to asphalt shingles. This roofing material is made by combining various materials such as asphalt, tar paper, slate, shale, laminate, and wood.
At State Roofing, we offer two different composition shingles: the 350# Sawtooth and Rubberlast 50. They’re a great option for Seattle homes because they feature algae and moss inhibitors, which prevents moisture-related growth. Other benefits include:
- Durability: Composition shingles can last
anywhere between 30 to 50 years. - Eco-friendly: They’re manufactured from
recycled materials. - Variety of colors and finishes: This roofing
material comes in a variety of colors and textures, including faux finishes
such as slate and shake.
Another great benefit of composition shingles is that they’re cost-effective. The upfront cost of composition shingles are more expensive than asphalt shingles. However, composition shingles are more economical in the long run because they last twice as long as asphalt shingles.
Rubber Roofs
There’s a chance you haven’t heard of rubber roofs; they’re one of the most up-and-coming roofing materials in the industry. Rubber roofs offer a similar look to luxurious wood or slate shingles, but without the high-maintenance hassle because rubber roofs are virtually maintenance-free. In addition, rubber roofs are designed to withstand harsh or extreme weather, including relentless rain.
At State Roofing, we offer two kinds of rubber roofs: Euroshake and Euroslate. Both options have benefits that are perfect for Seattle homes. They feature tongue-and-groove interlocking tiles that offer a tight fit to keep the rain out. This is exceptionally important since Seattle gets rain throughout the year, and a roof leak can cause detrimental damage to a home.
Rubber roofs also protect against the deteriorating effects of leaves, pine needles, moss, and algae, in addition to being resistant to the impact from falling smaller tree branches and limbs. While we don’t usually get severe wind storms in Seattle, we do see our fair share of strong winds. These wind storms are known to result in fallen branches and tree limbs that may otherwise cause damage to a roof. Rubber roofs are resistant to splitting, cracking, curling, and other surface wear that traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles may experience.
Besides being durable and maintenance-free, rubber roofs fit right into the Seattle eco-friendly culture. To be exact, rubber roofs are one of the most eco-friendly options because they’re made from recycled tires. A rubber roof on one single home would save landfills from 250 to 1,000 rubber tires.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofs aren’t the first material that comes to mind when you think about roofing shingles. However, they’re one of the top options for Seattle homes. Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs don’t cause a lot of noise when it’s raining outside. This common belief stems from the metal roofs that were installed over the open frames of barns and or patios, where the pitter-patter of every single drop could be heard when it was raining outside. And oftentimes, metal roofs amplified that sound.
However, when metal roofs are installed on houses, they’re installed over a solid wood deck. This extra layer helps insulate the noise of rain hitting metal roofs. With this extra layer between the outside roof and your home, metal roofs can actually be quieter in the rain when compared to other materials such as traditional asphalt shingles.
While Seattle doesn’t experience hurricanes, the area does get the occasional windstorm. In as recent as 2016, the Puget Sound area saw wind gusts from 50-70 mph. In fact, metal roofs can withstand up to double of those gusts. At State Roofing, we offer three types of metal roofs, each built to withstand severe wind:
- Standing seam metal roofing: Withstands wind
up to 120 mph - Ironwood metal roofing: Withstands wind up to
110 mph - Metal shake: Withstands wind up to 120 mph
In terms of weather, metal roofs are an exceptional option for Seattle. They’re easy on the ears during the rain, and they’re built to last through severe windstorms that Seattle sees now and again.
There isn’t one type of roofing shingle that is considered the best for Seattle. Instead, there are a variety of options that will stand the test of time unlike the popular asphalt shingles. Composition shingles are virtually maintenance-free for Seattle homes because they’re resistant to mold and algae growth. Rubber roofs feature a tongue-and-groove interlocking system that provides a tight fit to keep the rain out. In addition, this roofing material protects against the deteriorating effects of leaves, moss, and algae. Metal roofs are extremely durable and can withstand winds up to 110 mph or more. These three options are resistant to the year-round rain we get in Seattle, making any of them great options for homes in the area.
If you want to learn more about which roofing material will fit your needs, give us a call at (360) 794-7164 , or fill out our contact form for further inquiries or to request a free estimate in the Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellevue, Snohomish, or surrounding areas.
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