When it comes to Rochester home improvement, Steve Moutray is a local roofing expert. As the owner of Moutray Exteriors, Inc., Moutray knows what kinds of roofing are out there, and what the benefits and drawbacks are when it comes to choosing roofing specifically for Rochester-area homes.
One kind of roofing that Moutray likes to emphasize is “architectural shingles.” Aren’t all shingles architectural because they go on buildings, you may ask? Moutray explains that “these are high definition shingles that give you a [more] defined look on your roof. You can get them with a particular architectural design to match your house’s characteristics.”
Architectural shingles also have a structural benefit: a higher wind resistance than other roofing shingles. “The 30-year shingle is good for 110-mile-per-hour winds,” explains Moutray. “It’s a two-ply laminate, and it holds up to the elements extremely well.” Regarding architectural shingles, Moutray thinks it’s important to point out that if you’re looking for a flat-textured roof, then you should certainly look for something besides architectural shingles. Their main benefit is their aesthetic quality, and if you prefer a flat texture, you’ll find the designs of these shingles aggravating. Nonetheless, architectural shingles are the current standard on the market.
Then again, “sometimes people will want a higher-end shingle,” says Moutray. “You can go into a premium-type shingle like what’s called Camelot. Then there’s the Grand Canyon, a kind of shingle that has a bigger reveal than other laminate shingles. There’s the Grand Manor, which has a wood-shake look to it. And in terms of other roof shingles that are synthetic, there’s what’s called the synthetic slate roof. It’s made to look like beautiful slate tiles, but it’s actually made of roofing plastic.”
Basically, you need to decide on an aesthetic beforehand so that you know what kinds of shingles will please you best. There are so many options out there that the best way to narrow down the choices is to know your own design-oriented limitations. Moutray’s Rochester home improvement company isn’t exactly an exterior decorator, but his roofing experts can certainly explain the benefits and drawbacks to different designs, and they can tell you how linked a shingle’s design is to its function.
There are those Rochester homeowners who prefer design over function, and others who prefer function over design. The best solution is a healthy medium: a shingle that gives you a nice aesthetic and that also protects your home from the elements.