King Roof Care, a locally owned roofing company, helps homeowners in Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, Issaquah and Redmond, WA compare shingle roof alternatives. Beyond composition and asphalt shingles, King Roof Care works with wood shake, presidential shingle, PVC and metal roofing systems, and replaces flat roofs with single-ply membranes. The company offers free, no-obligation roof assessments and a written estimate with exact scope and materials before work starts.
Shingle Roof Alternatives King Roof Care Works With
Shingle roof alternatives at King Roof Care come from the roofing systems the company already works with across the Seattle area and the greater Puget Sound. According to the company, it is "fully accomplished in composition, asphalt shingle, wood shakes, presidential shingle, PVC and metal roofing systems."
- Metal roofing systems, installed as panels on pitched roofs
- Wood shake roofing, individual wood pieces with a natural textured look
- Presidential shingle, a shingle with a thicker, layered profile
- PVC and single-ply membrane systems for flat and low-slope areas
- Composition and asphalt shingle, the baseline most homeowners compare against
Metal Roofing as a Shingle Alternative: Strengths and Limits
Metal roofing is the most distinct shingle alternative King Roof Care works with on pitched roofs, because the roof is covered with panels rather than many small overlapping pieces. The result is a cleaner, more uniform surface and a look that clearly differs from a shingle roof.
- Strength: a distinct, uniform panel look on pitched roofs
- Strength: fewer, larger pieces covering the roof field
- Limit: seams, fasteners and sealing need attention over time
- Limit: corrosion and damaged panels are the repair issues to plan for
- Practical difference: flashing and trim around penetrations must suit metal panels
Wood Shake and Presidential Shingle: Shingle-Style Alternatives
Wood shake and presidential shingle are shingle roof alternatives for homeowners who like the layered look of a traditional roof but want something different from a standard asphalt shingle. Both are installed in overlapping courses on pitched roofs, yet they differ in material and upkeep.
- Wood shake strength: natural texture and appearance
- Wood shake limit: ongoing maintenance such as moss treatment and regular inspections
- Presidential shingle strength: deeper, layered look within a familiar shingle system
- Presidential shingle limit: a change in profile, not a change of material
PVC and Single-Ply Membranes on Flat and Low-Slope Sections
PVC and single-ply membranes are the shingle alternative homeowners meet on flat roofs, porches, additions and other low-slope sections rather than on steep, visible slopes. The membrane is laid as sheets with seams instead of overlapping pieces, so the practical focus is on seams, drainage and the transitions where a flat section meets a pitched roof.
Comparing Shingle Roof Alternatives Side by Side
Shingle roof alternatives compare best on where they fit, what they do well, what they demand and how repairs work. The table below avoids cost or lifespan rankings, because those depend on the specific product, the roof and the installation, and should come from a written estimate for your home.
| Option | Where it fits | Main advantage | Main limitation | Practical difference from shingles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roofing system | Pitched roofs | Distinct, uniform panel look | Seams, fasteners and sealing need attention; corrosion and damaged panels are repair issues | Panels instead of individual pieces; repairs mean resealing or replacing panels |
| Wood shake | Pitched roofs | Natural, textured wood appearance | Organic material needs ongoing maintenance such as moss treatment | Different material in a similar overlapping layout |
| Presidential shingle | Pitched roofs | Deeper, layered look within a shingle system | Changes the profile, not the material | Installed and repaired much like other shingles |
| PVC / single-ply membrane | Flat and low-slope roofs | Made for areas where a pitched-roof covering does not fit | Ponding water and membrane issues; seams and transitions need care | Sheets with seams; replacement includes removing old membrane and repairing decking |
| Composition / asphalt shingle | Pitched roofs | Familiar system; damaged areas can be repaired by shingle replacement | Standard look compared with the alternatives | The baseline for comparison |
How the Roof Replacement Process Differs by Material
Roof replacement steps at King Roof Care depend on the type of roof, so a pitched shingle-style roof and a flat membrane roof follow different sequences. Both start with an on-site inspection of the roof, the attic and the ventilation, and a written estimate with the exact scope and materials before any work starts.
Choosing Among Shingle Roof Alternatives Without Rework
Choosing a shingle roof alternative goes more smoothly when the decision is based on the roof's details rather than on photos alone. The points below are general guidance for homeowners in Kirkland, Bothell, Everett, Issaquah and Redmond, not rules for every home.
- Pick metal if you want a clear change of material and are ready to plan for seam and panel care
- Pick wood shake if the natural look matters most and you will keep up with maintenance such as moss treatment
- Pick presidential shingle if you want more depth and texture while staying with a shingle system
- Use a membrane on flat or low-slope sections, whatever goes on the pitched roof
- Ask how flashing at chimneys, walls, vents and skylights will be built for the chosen material
- Check homeowners association or neighborhood design rules before ordering material
When Shingles Still Make Sense for Your Roof
Shingle roofing is still the right answer for some homes, and comparing alternatives should include an honest look at keeping it. King Roof Care's repair work includes leak detection, shingle replacement, flashing repair and structural repairs such as reinforcing trusses and fixing sagging areas.
Frequently asked questions
What do roofers put under shingles?
Under shingles, roofers install underlayment over the roof deck, plus ice-and-water protection where the roof requires it. During a King Roof Care pitched-roof replacement, the deck is inspected and damaged sheathing is replaced as needed before the underlayment, flashing, starter course and shingles go on.
What is the difference between a shingle and an asphalt roof?
A shingle roof describes the format, overlapping individual pieces, while an asphalt roof describes the material. Asphalt shingles are one type of shingle; wood shake and presidential shingle are other shingle-style options. King Roof Care works with composition, asphalt shingle, wood shake and presidential shingle systems.
What do I need to replace roof shingles?
To replace roof shingles you need an inspection of the roof, attic and ventilation, a written scope, tear-off of the old roofing, deck repairs where needed, new underlayment, flashing, starter course, shingles and ridge caps, then cleanup. King Roof Care follows that sequence on pitched roofs and confirms the scope in a written estimate first.
how much does a new asphalt shingle roof cost in kirkland?
The cost of a new asphalt shingle roof in Kirkland depends on the roof's size, deck condition, flashing details and chosen shingle, so no single figure applies to every home. King Roof Care offers free, no-obligation roof assessments and provides a written estimate with the exact scope and materials before any work starts.