Roofing Shingles: The Ultimate Guide for Canadian Homes

Years ago, when it was time to replace your shingles, you had a few options. But now the roofing industry is filled with different types of shingles, including asphalt, metal, synthetic options, and much more. Manufacturers across North America are continuing to take innovative approaches and discovering new methods and technology at an unprecedented frequency.

While options are always great, it can make it difficult to choose which roofing shingles are the best for your home, climate, and budget. In this ultimate guide, we’re investigating the different types of roofing shingles and determining which ones will provide the best protection for Canadian homes. 

Take the guesswork out of your roof replacement, and use this guide to make an informed and confident decision. Also, you might want to click the bookmark icon on your desktop to save this post for later!

What are the best roof shingles?

Before we can determine what are the best roof shingles, first we have to understand the different roofing shingles available in Canada. Let’s take a look at some of the common options that have proven to provide outstanding performance and protection in our unpredictable weather.

To learn more about how long these common shingles last, check out this past blog post!

Photo of brick home with asphalt roofing shingles

01. Asphalt Shingles

If you drive through any Canadian suburb, you’ll likely find a high percentage of asphalt roofs. According to Statistics Canada, the total amount of asphalt shingles imported into Canada in May 2021 totalled 3.4 million metric bundles. However, in May 2022, 4.2 million metric bundles were shipped into Canada. That’s a 27.3% increase from last year.

This number alone displays the growing popularity of asphalt shingles in the Canadian roofing industry. So why is asphalt so popular in Canada? Let’s take a look:

  • They remain flexible even in the midst of freezing temperatures, reducing the risk of cracking
  • They can withstand a fair amount of heat and transition well between climate changes
  • They’re fire resistant
  • They are more affordable than other roofing shingles
  • They are durable and can last upwards of 25 years
  • They provide a low-maintenance solution and are easy to repair

These are just some of the benefits of asphalt shingles. So it’s easy to see why they remain one of the best roof shingles available in Canada. We provide trusted and reliable asphalt roof replacement and repairs throughout the Edmonton area. Our team is highly experienced and led by a Red Seal Certified Journeyman Foreman with over 10 years of roofing experience. 

Home with black metal roofing shingles

02. Metal Roofing & Shingles

Metal roofing shingles continue to grow in popularity in Canada. Approximately 10% of Canadian homes currently have metal roofs. Similar to asphalt roofing, metal ranges in colours and shingle styles. There’s the traditional sheet metal roofing that you often see on warehouses, agricultural facilities, and storage buildings. 

However, homeowners are starting to opt for more innovative styles, such as metal shingles that can resemble asphalt, tile, cedar shake, and even slate. While metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt, it can also last longer. We compare the cost of asphalt roofing vs metal roofing in this past blog post

Some of the benefits of metal roofing include:

  • Can last upwards of 80 years depending on the brand, maintenance, and climate
  • Very durable and can resist high winds
  • More environmentally friendly, since they aren’t a byproduct of fossil fuels and can often be recycled once they reach the end of their lifespan
  • Typically have more competitive warranties
  • Better fire resistance 

At Knights Roofing, we provide detailed and quality metal roof replacements and repairs throughout Edmonton. Our shingles are proven to offer top performance in our Canadian climate.

Stucco house with clay tile roofing

03. Tile Roofs

While tile is a popular roofing material for homes in the Southern states and Eurpoe, it’s a less popular choice here in Canada. Not only is it an expensive option, but it’s also heavy (making shipping and installation more challenging) and can break when exposed to heavy impacts, such as hail. 

As the roofing industry continues to innovate, there are tile roof alternatives, such as metal roofing with a barrel tile appearance or architectural asphalt shingles resembling slate tile. 

Luxury home with rubber roofing shingles

04. Rubber Roofs

Rubber roofing shingles are a relatively new and innovative approach to roof replacements. Lighter than tile, more eco-friendly than asphalt, and typically more aesthetically pleasing than metal, rubber roofing is a great choice for Canadian homes. 

Here are some of its other benefits:

  • Very durable and won’t crack in extreme temperatures
  • Can be installed on roofs with lower pitches 
  • Can last upwards of 50 years
  • Generally made of almost recycled materials 
  • Fire resistant
  • More energy efficient than asphalt or metal and can provide better insulation

We provide state-of-the-art rubber roofing in Edmonton. Trusted by property owners for over 15 years, we offer honest communication, reliable services, and shingle options from the most trusted brands in North America. 

05. Wood & Cedar Shake

Cedar shake roofs are praised for their rustic charm and curb appeal benefits. In fact, that’s typically the top reason homeowners opt for this roofing shingle. While cedar shake has its benefits, such as thermal insulation and decent longevity, it also comes with some pretty notable cons. 

Cedar shake roofing shingles are generally more expensive than asphalt. Plus, they require far more maintenance, aren’t fire resistant, and can be challenging to install. However, you can still get the cedar shake style while getting the benefits of rubber roofing. 

To learn more about our cedar shake alternatives, contact us today!

What are the best brand of roofing shingles?

Your roof is the first line of defencse against weather extremes. It provides your home with protection from above, so you have the peace of mind you need to ensure your home and family are safe. 

That’s why it’s important to only use shingles from reputable manufacturers that are committed to quality and innovation. Here are our most recommended brands:

01. Malarkey Roofing Products

Established in 1956, Malarkey Roofing has developed and manufactured industry-leading shingles for over 65 years. They’ve continued to innovate and improve their materials, making them one of the highest-rated manufacturers in North America. 

With plenty of designs and colours to choose from, they give homeowners the opportunity to truly customize their experience. So they not only receive a new roof that’ll protect them from our unpredictable weather, but they also get shingles that’ll boost their curb appeal and match the design of their home. 

With a high impact resistance that can help lower your insurance premiums and eco-friendly properties in their shingles’ granules, they are innovating the roofing industry with quality shingles for Canadian homes.

We are a certified residential contractor for Malarkey Roofing. We pride ourselves on only offering tried and true shingles with a minimum of 15 years of research, testing, and proven results. At Knights, we never test products on our customers. All of our materials are sourced from the top manufacturers in North America.

Wakefield Bridge roofing shingles on stone suburban home

02. Wakefield Bridge Metal Roofing

Made from both new and recycled steel, Wakefield Bridge shingles offer an environmentally friendly and longer-lasting alternative to asphalt. Boasting a 50-year manufacturer’s warranty, these shingles are noted for their durability and will not curl, crack, or chip. 

Plus, they’re available in a range of colours and styles—everything from slate-style black or grey, cedar-style brown, or even the more traditional clay-style.

We are Edmonton’s only Wakefield Bridge certified installers. These lifetime shingles will ensure you never have to re-roof, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that your home and family are protected, no matter what weather extremes sweep through our city! 

03. Euroshield Rubber Roofing

Euroshield is leading the charge in recycled roofing, offering extremely durable, long-lasting, and innovative roofing shingles for Canadian homes. Made from 95% recycled materials and designed to offer unmatched performance in hail and wind, Euroshield is one of the top manufacturers in Alberta. 

With styles that are virtually indistinguishable from slate or shake, you can achieve the curb appeal you want without sacrificing durability or breaking your budget. Contact us today, and get your Euroshield roof installed by our team of highly skilled and qualified professionals who take pride in their work! 

How do I pick the best shingle colour for my house

So now that we’ve answered, “what are the best roofing shingles?” and “what are the best brands of roofing shingles,” you probably have a pretty good idea of which type and brand you’d like to have installed on your home. 

But now you’ve reached another roadblock and might be asking yourself, “how do I pick the best shingle colour for my house?” Here are some things to consider: 

01. Understand lighting

Have you ever looked at paint colour and really liked a shade, but then the minute you saw it in bright sunlight, it looked completely different? This is a very common trend that many homeowners neglect to consider. 

When choosing your shingle colour, always look at it under different shades of light. During your consultation, ask to see samples. And don’t be afraid to take them outside and look at them under both shade and direct sunlight. 

02. Consider your climate

Your roof can also provide thermal insulation, depending on the type of shingles you choose. When you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider opting for a darker roof colour. This will absorb more UV light, helping to insulate your home. 

If you’re unsure whether your climate is predominantly cold or hot, take a look at your energy bills from the past year. Are you paying more for heating or cooling? If you live in Alberta, there’s almost a 100% chance you’re paying more for heating. So choosing a darker coloured roof can help keep your home warmer in the winter. 

03. Coordinate your colours and avoid clashing

You want your roof to accentuate your exterior. With 40% of your home’s exterior remaining on your roof, it can make a huge difference to your curb appeal. The first question you’ll want to ask yourself is, “what will pair well with my exterior colour.” This applies to your siding, trim, and any accents, including stone or brick. 

Ask your roofing company for samples, and compare them to your exterior. Which colour coordinates the best with your design? From there, you can choose the colour you like the most. 

Some manufacturers also have interactive apps where you can test our different roofing styles and colours on your home. Check out this one from Malarkey! Also, don’t be afraid to ask your roofing consultant questions. They help customers find the right shingles for their home and budget and can be a very valuable guide when it comes to colour selections. 

Beautiful bungalow with asphalt roofing shingles

Roof Replacement in Edmonton & Area

Is your roof showing signs of disrepair? Have you noticed curling shingles, leaks, or granules in your eavestroughs? If so, you’re likely due for a roof replacement. We carry shingles and materials from the top brands in North America. Plus, we provide honest, reliable, and highly experienced and detailed roofing services for Edmonton property owners. 

Contact us today, and schedule your free, no-obligation estimate! We’ll make sure you achieve protection from above, so your home and family are safe from our weather extremes.