Roofing has come a long way since the days of the thatched hut. Today, roofing services can install roofs made of everything from natural materials like wood and slate to artistically designed synthetic replicas that look like other, more expensive material.
Rubber shingles are one such product. They are more environmentally friendly than other materials, making them a great option for those looking for greener alternatives to conventional roofing systems.
Shingles Made of Rubber?
Rubber is now used in a variety of grades to produce all kinds of items, so why not roofing shingles? Rubber is a great option since it is durable, can withstand the effects of weather for a long time when appropriately prepared, and can be created to look like other attractive material. It is also abundantly available, especially when it is recycled like rubber roof shingles.
These shingles require little new material and are made with rubber from used and discarded car and truck tires to help keep rubber out of landfills. The finished product contains 95 percent recycled material; any scrap can be completely re-recycled after being removed from a home, including the shingles themselves.
How Are Rubber Shingles Produced?
Rubber shingles installed by roofing services are made by using two different techniques.
- Cutting - This process begins with a machine that cuts off tire sidewalls, leaving only the tread portion. The treads are cut into workable, smaller pieces and sanded down until the tread is removed, leaving the rubber smooth and flat. The smoothed rubber is coated with slate dust, then heated and pressed into shingle-shaped molds.
- Grinding - This technique involves grinding tires up into what is called a rubber crumb, which is then heated and pressed into molds. These forms are designed to make the rubber look like other materials such as wood, slate, dimensional asphalt shingles, and even concrete and ceramic tile. Colors can also be added to the rubber. Protective UV and fire-resistant coatings are then applied to the final product.
What About Durability and Longevity?
Rubber roofing shingles are a newer product and have only been in use for about 20 years. Thus far, they have outlived many installations made of other material. Rubber shingles have the highest wind and impact resistance rating available for roof systems, making them a great option wherever storms are a concern.
When properly installed by qualified roofing services, those who manufacture these products assert they can outlive almost any other material in use today and with minimal maintenance. Most installations offer a lifetime warranty, which attests to the longevity of the product.
Considering the many benefits offered, rubber shingles may be the perfect choice for homeowners looking for a cost-effective, long-lasting, and green option when replacing their roof. Rubber shingles cost more than a conventional asphalt roof; however, the cost is easily recovered in the longevity of these shingles. When installed by skilled roofing services, recycled rubber shingles offer homeowners attractive, durable, and eco-friendly residential roofing!
