Eco-friendly
Definitely a bonus for the eco-conscious, rubber roofings are made of recycled rubber tires mixed with sawdust and crushed slates. Investing in such a unique material for your roofing or home exteriors will go a long way not only for you but for the environment as well.
Designed for the times
Rubber shingles are new to the residential market and are therefore made for modern times. They were made to excel in aspects where older materials—such as asphalt and slate—have failed to deliver. For instance, with the rather unreliable build of asphalt, rubber shingles counter with durability and flexibility.
And between rubber shingles and slate, the former is simply a better pick in terms of value for money. In short, you get the same—if not more—quality performance from rubber shingles for half the price.
Low-maintenance
When you invest in rubber shingles, you won’t have to worry about periodic checking or cleaning. Rubber shingles are flexible, allowing them to last you a long time even with minimal maintenance. This means they are highly resistant to cracking or causing leaks. In addition, they also do not corrode, discolor, nor do they attract algae or moss. You also do not need to worry about melting because rubber shingles do not cave under exposure to heat.
But this does not mean rubber shingles are allergic to cleanliness or presentability. Once every 10 to 12 years, you can freshen up the look of your rubber roofing by repainting it.
Adaptability to changing weather
Another great feature of rubber shingles is their resistance to thermal shock and extreme weather. It could be nice and sunny outside, then snowing the next; this is an all-too-familiar scenario in Winnipeg, which is why considering rubber shingles is often a wise idea.
Durability
Rubber shingles are designed to last for guaranteed at least 15 years and even up to 50 years, provided there was properly installed. It’s not much compared to other high-end materials such as clay or slate, which last for almost a century. However, rubber shingles do make up for it with graceful aging. In other words, appearance-wise, they tend to retain their original form and color.
Disadvantages of rubber shingles
Until we find the ultimate pick for roofings and exteriors, nothing is perfect. And as such, rubber shingles will have its disadvantages as well. See them below.
Shrinking
Solid materials generally expand when exposed to heat, but the opposite can be said for rubber.
Depending on their quality or manufacturer, rubber shingles can be prone to shrinking due to sun exposure, which can make your roof prone to leaking. The good news is, this can be easily addressed with a little sealant application.
Water-absorption
Although not scientifically verified, there have been claims circulating in forums that rubber shingles show signs of abnormally high water absorption. This is in contrast to the claims by rubber roof manufacturers who attest to the fact that rubber roofs generally have a low water absorption
Smell
Rubber, when fresh out of the box, has that all-too-familiar smell which can put off some people. But in time, the smell will dissipate over time due to exposure from elements.
And although quite rare, rubber can sometimes produce that burnt-rubber smell from heat exposure. This shouldn’t cause any alarm unless when accompanied by dark smoke.
Pricey
Good things don’t come cheap; if they do, then they aren’t really good. When you invest a few more bucks for rubber shingles, you can be sure of the quality performance you’re getting: minimal maintenance, class-A fire rating, high wind resistance, durability, and flexibility. All these features are impossible to squeeze in a $100-$200 per square price point. But if you are really tight on budget, then the extra expense for getting rubber shingles is an unfortunate drawback.
