Asphalt shingles are being used on many homes in North America, which makes them one of the most popular roofing solutions on the market. They’re meant to protect a home from weather and other harsh conditions for many years with very little maintenance, and they can come in a variety of color and style options.
Asphalt shingles are also easy to install, which makes them attractive for roofing companies that want to offer an economical solution to their clients. While getting a new roof isn’t a cheap project, they’re one of the most affordable options available. If your roof deck is in good condition, it can be installed over your old shingles.
Asphalt shingles are being used on many homes in North America, which makes them one of the most popular roofing solutions on the market. They’re meant to protect a home from weather and other harsh conditions for many years with very little maintenance, and they can come in a variety of color and style options.
Asphalt shingles are also easy to install, which makes them attractive for roofing companies that want to offer an economical solution to their clients. While getting a new roof isn’t a cheap project, they’re one of the most affordable options available. If your roof deck is in good condition, it can be installed over your old shingles.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
There are three main types of asphalt shingles, and each one is better suited for certain types of homes. These include:
- Strip Shingles — Also called 3-tab shingles because of the way they’re cut, strip shingles are the most basic of all the available options. They’re made out of a single layer of asphalt, and they have a flat-looking appearance that can resemble the look of slate. Because they only use a single layer, they cost less than other options and aren’t as heavy. Before designer shingles were introduced in the 1980s, they were the primary type of shingles on the market. They were the best option for home builders who wanted to build inexpensively.
- Dimensional Shingles — Also called architectural or laminate shingles, dimensional shingles are the most widely used on the market today. They’re made of two or more layers of asphalt that have been fused together so they have a more multi-dimensional appearance, and they’re meant to look like wood shakes or natural slates.
- Luxury Shingles — These are the most high-quality asphalt shingles on the market because they’re manufactured with a special lamination process, and they have an appearance and functionality that outclasses dimensional shingles. Not only do they provide a better level of protection against weathering and wear, but they also offer a type of quality, coloration, and dimensionality that you won’t find on any other type of asphalt shingle.
Be sure to speak to a roofing professional for more information.
The Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
Due to more advanced methods and the properties of asphalt, manufacturers are able to produce a number of specialty options. This can include shingles that are more resistant to algae growth, have better protection from hail damage, and use new technologies that can reflect heat from the sun. Asphalt shingles also have a natural fire resistance, which can be a great choice for areas that experience many wildfires.
Asphalt Shingles FAQ
Owners of residential homes and commercial buildings have more roofing options than they ever had before. But asphalt shingles are the most popular and most widely used roofing material for homes around the country because of their beauty, versatility, durability, and high performance level. They’re also affordable and can be easily repaired, which are advantages for a lot of people. Your roof is one of the largest investments you can make on your home, so you may have some questions about the choice of materials and how you can protect it over the long term.
Here are some of the common questions people ask about asphalt roofing shingles:
What goes into the structure of an asphalt roof shingle?
Roof shingles can be made out of a number of materials (such as natural wood, synthetic composites, metal, and clay), but the most traditional method is with asphalt. These shingles may look simple on the surface, but they have a sophisticated design that involves many different layers. This is what makes them strong enough to protect your roof from the weather and other natural elements.
The asphalt that gives these shingles their name only sits on the outward-facing surface, which is topped off by a distribution of fine granules. The asphalt is mixed with other materials (such as styrene) to make them more durable, while the asphalt makes the shingles water resistant.
How do asphalt shingles sustain damage?
While asphalt shingles are built to be tough, even the best models can get damaged. It can happen all at once from a storm or fire. It can also happen naturally after years of wear and tear. Even extreme temperatures can damage asphalt shingles, and it happens in a number of different ways. Rapid shifts in temperature that’s followed by dry air and windy weather can cause shingles to crack. A faulty attic installation can cause heat to leak into your roof, which can cause a type of damage that’s referred to as “shingle blazing.”
Should I worry about granule loss on my asphalt shingles?
If you see gritty deposits collecting inside your gutters or downspouts, it’s caused by what’s referred to as “granule loss.” This coating is important for protecting your asphalt shingles from the weather and other natural elements. You never want to underestimate the significance of granule loss, because it can impact more than just your roof’s natural appearance. It can also affect your roof’s functionality. So if you see any signs of granule loss, you need to call someone to replace those shingles as soon as possible.
What can damaged or missing asphalt shingles do to my roof?
Damaged asphalt shingles can make your roof susceptible to significant damage. If gaps form between shingles or if parts of your roof are exposed to the elements, water can leak into the wooden parts of your roof. If this happens, your roof is more susceptible to rot, infestations, and structural weakness. That’s why you need to take care of any obvious roof problems as soon as possible, but you can’t always know about the health of your roof just by looking at shingle damage. You should have your roof evaluated by a professional on a regular basis — someone who can look for any specific warning signs.
When should I think about replacing an asphalt shingle roof?
If there are individual shingles (or even small clusters of them) have gotten damaged or have come loose, a roofer can just replace the affected area. But he or she will examine the underlayment and other parts of your roof’s structure to see if it needs more extensive repairs. If an asphalt shingle roof is severely damaged, it may need to be replaced. But even if your roof seems to hold up year after year, you should know that asphalt shingles usually don’t last for more than 30 years. If it’s already past that point, your roofer may suggest a roof replacement.
What’s the difference between an asphalt shingle and an architectural shingle?
Asphalt shingles refer to any type of shingle that’s made of either a fiberglass or felt paper base that has been coated with a waterproof layer of asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Architectural shingles refer to a specific type of asphalt shingle. They have a unique 2-ply design that gives them a more exquisite three-dimensional appearance, which is why they’re used by homeowners who want to make their home look more visually appealing.
