You've just gone up and inspected your roof and found that some of the shingles need to be replaced or fixed. Or maybe you've decided to contract a Dallas or Fort Worth roofer or Dallas roof repair company to come and change the look of your home by replacing the entire roof. You'll find that there are many types of shingles to choose from, and each has their own way to be repaired. Well here are the types of shingles you have to choose from, and how to go about repairing them when needed.



The most popular kind of roofing is shingles made of asphalt. Asphalt shingles are typically reinforced with a fiberglass mat, although they may also come with a paper reinforcement. They generally have three tabs or sections and are about three feet in length. Many also have a dab of either tar or roofing cement on one side so that the shingle that will overlap it can be held in place for extra strength. These asphalt shingles have a lifespan of generally 20-30 years.

If the problem with an individual shingle is that it's cupped or curled, the easiest way to fix that is to stick it back down on the roof using roofing cement. If you need to replace a loose or missing shingle, gently pull back the shingles above it. Next, pry up any nails and debris. Put the new shingle in place and nail it down. Do not use staples! Once the new shingle is attached, use roofing cement to put back in place the shingles you moved to make the switch.

Another inexpensive type of shingle that's growing in popularity is laminated shingles. They're typically made of multiple layers of (generally asphalt) shingles, and give the roof more depth. Some types of laminated shingles are also shaped with either rounded or angled edges to give the appearance of more expensive shingles like slate or wooden shakes. Laminated shingles are repaired the same way as their asphalt brothers, only you'll need longer nails to get through their extra material.

Slate shingles are the most expensive on this list, but it's also stands up to weather the best with a lifespan of over 100 years. While slate can give the house a powerful hand-crafted look, it's also harder to work with. Not only is it about three times heavier than asphalt shingles, but because of its rigid material, it's easier damaged from being walked on. Concrete shingles are the same—durable to weather, but easily broken by man. Because of this, it's suggested that you contact a local Dallas or Fort Worth roofer for instillation, and your Dallas roofing repair Company for any repairs.

Wooden shakes are the other choice. Usually made of cedar, spruce, or treated pine, shakes give a building a more rustic look found often in northern Europe. While the wood may become warped from the weather, they typically can go 30 years before needing repair.

To replace damaged shakes, simply pry the individual shake up with nail ripper and crowbar. Put the new plank in place and nail it down, using roofing cement over the nail head to prevent water damage.