Are you wondering if Euroshield is actually worth the higher price, or just another overhyped roofing material that doesn’t solve your roofing problems? Worried that it won’t hold up in the Seattle rain and windstorms?
You’re not alone. Choosing the right roofing material in Seattle’s wet, unpredictable climate can be a lot, especially when you’re comparing materials that vary so much in price, appearance, and lifespan. Not to mention all the competing claims.
At RoofSmart, we match hundreds of customers every year with the right roof for them. After inspecting your roof, we offer roofing material recommendations based on your budget, preferences, and roofing needs. We guide you to the best options for your unique situation, but the final decision is up to you.
In this article, we’ll break down the real pros and cons of Euroshield roofing. By the end, you’ll know whether Euroshield is a smart investment for your home (or a cost you’d be better off skipping).
What is Euroshield roofing made of?
Euroshield is a synthetic shingle made out of recycled tires that imitates the look of slate or shake. Seattle area homeowners choose it because it looks great on their home, and it does a great job of protecting it.
How does Euroshield roofing protect my Seattle home?
Euroshield costs more than asphalt shingles, but it is also more durable and lasts longer. Before you decide if Euroshield is the right roofing material for your Seattle roof, it’s important to take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Since Euroshield is made out of recycled tires, it is much better for the environment than most other roofing materials on a net basis. The average Seattle home saves between 300 to 500 tires from the landfill.
- Excellent impact resistance: Rubber is very bouncy, making it resistant to impact from debris. This is great for areas that have a lot of hail, which doesn’t apply to the Seattle area. However, we do get a fair amount of windstorms here that blow around branches and other debris. If your Euroshield roof is hit by small branches or other small debris, of any roof on the market, it has the best chance it will just bounce right off. Other roofing materials would be scuffed, dented, broken, or cracked.
- Long-lasting: Euroshield roofs last an average of 40 to 50 years, which is twice as long as standard asphalt shingles last in Seattle.
- Grippy to walk on: Some other roofing materials are slippery, but Euroshield is grippy. This makes it safer to walk on if you need to walk on your roof to do maintenance.
- Great curb appeal: Euroshield is designed to imitate the look of luxury roofing products like slate or shake. You get the aesthetic appeal of slate at a lower cost.
- No/minimal moss or algae growth: Euroshield roofing is resistant to organic growth. This means you don’t have to worry about cleaning off or treating algae or moss.
- Has great TREAD: as you can imagine, it’s a grippy surface to walk on should the need arise. Easiest roof to maintain.
- Does not deteriorate due to excessive moisture: The Seattle area is very damp and rainy, which is hard on asphalt shingles and causes them to deteriorate faster. But this does not impact Euroshield roofing. It does great in rainy weather.
Cons:
- Takes longer to install than asphalt shingles: Each style of Eurshield has a unique pattern that you have to follow during installation to make sure that it looks right on the roof. Your roofer will need to take the time to make sure that they’re doing it properly. It’s also a lot heavier than regular asphalt shingles, which can slow down the installation process a little bit.
- Smells like rubber when it’s new: Because Euroshield is made out of recycled tires, it smells like rubber right after it is installed. The good news is that this does fade away.
- More expensive than asphalt shingles: Euroshield has a lot of great benefits, but it does cost about twice as much as regular asphalt shingles. We’ll dive further into cost in the next section.
- Can be damaged if you have poor attic ventilation: Euroshield is not at risk of damage from moisture, but it is sensitive to heat in some circumstances. Specifically, if you have poor air ventilation in your attic that causes it to overheat consistently, the Eurshield can get too hot and shrink. If this happens it repairing or replacing it won’t be covered by your warranty because they specify that you need to update your attic ventilation. It’s also worth noting that having improper attic ventilation is risky no matter what kind of roofing material you have.
How much does Euroshield roofing cost?
Euroshield roofing costs twice as much as standard asphalt shingles. This means that the average Euroshield roof costs around $60,000 to $70,000 to install in the Seattle area. This is a similar price to metal roof installations.
This is a steep increase from asphalt shingles, which cost around $35,000 to install. For some context, you can get a good-quality Cedar shake roof for about the same price as Euroshield.
However, a slate roof will be $100,000 or more. So, if you like the look of slate but don’t want to spend quite that much money, a Euroshield roof is a good alternative.
How do I know if Euroshield is right for me?
To help you make your decision, consider your roofing budget and priorities. For example, are you looking for the most affordable roof available? If so, Euroshield is probably not a good option for you because it costs more than asphalt shingles.
Do you want a roof that holds up well in a damp environment? Do you want a roof that lasts a long time? Do you want a roof that is impact-resistant and holds up well in windstorms? If any of those things are a top priority for you, then Euroshield is probably a good option for you.
Seattle homeowners tend not to choose Euroshield because of the higher price. This is a completely valid choice. However, if you can afford Euroshield, remember that the additional cost gets you a lot of benefits that you don’t get from asphalt shingles.
Our customers who choose Euroshield like it because it holds out well in the Seattle weather, is great near saltwater, and lasts for a long time.
How do I know which roofing material is best for my Seattle home?
Now that you understand the pros and cons of Euroshield, it’s time to take a closer look at the other material options. Not every roofing material performs the same, especially in Seattle’s wet, moss-prone climate. So how do you know which one is right for you?
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the options, don’t worry, we’ll make it simple. If you’re feeling unsure about Euroshield, it can be useful to see how its performance compares to other roofing materials.
Read our article “What Are the Pros and Cons of 8 Popular Roof Types for Your Seattle Home?” to get a breakdown of the pros and cons of each major roof type used in the Seattle area and help you compare performance, durability, cost, and long-term value.
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