Shingle roofing is by and large the most common type of roofing used throughout the country.
A shingle roof is a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping roofing materials. These materials are typically flat rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof up to its peak. Each successive row or course overlaps the joints of the row placed below.
Shingle roofing consists primarily of three different types of materials that provide a variety of different product choices themselves. The first are the more popular asphalt shingles that have been selected as the number one choice for residential homes. The next two are wood products known as shake shingles and wood shingles. The difference between these two is in their sizes. Shakes are thick and rough in texture while wood shingles are uniform in a thinner thickness with a smooth sawn surface.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Asphalt shingles consist of a fiberglass matting that has been impregnated with asphalt and coated with a colored granular surface. These roofing shingles come in a variety of sizes, colors, and surface designs that imitate other roof types such as wood, slate and even roofing tiles. They are affordable and provide a good weathering surface that is virtually maintenance free.
Shake Shingle Roofing: Shake shingles are historically some of the first roofing materials ever used. They were produced by taking a cedar log, cutting it into uniform lengths, and splitting the sections into the desired thicknesses. This method is why they became known as hand-split shakes. Though they are produced in a far more automated procedure today, they still maintain an appeal for their rustic textures. They weather far better in the northern cooler climates compared to the hot humid environment of Florida.
Wood Shingle Roofing: Wood shingles like their thicker counter parts
(shakes) are fashioned from cedar logs. These shingles however are sawn smooth to eliminate the rough surfaces and allowing them to lie with uniformity. Wood shingles are thinner in thicknesses than the shakes; and therefore, do not last as long in comparison. Due to the high fire hazard of both the wood products, insurance companies have begun to require a fire retardant treatment be added prior to their installation. This treatment is provided at the production plant and offers a "Class C" fire rating. It is also true that some communities require any wood roof to be comprised of a fire resistant product. This
of course increases the cost for these types of roofs so combined with the shortened life they have in Florida climates they have become less popular.
| 
