Asphalt roof shingles are the most popular roofing material, that have been used on homes across North America for decades. With good reason, they are designed to protect a home through decades of weathering with minimal upkeep, and are available in hundreds of colors and styles.
What Are Asphalt Shingles Made From?
Asphalt shingles are made from a combination of fiberglass or a felt paper base, coated with a layer of asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. The fiberglass base is extremely popular as it is light, inexpensive and adds considerable strength to the roof and gives it fireproofing properties.
What Types of Shingles Are Available?
There are 2 types of asphalt shingles produced. Three-tab shingles and architectural shingles. Three-tab shingles appear to be 3 shingles but are actually a single piece. This type of shingle is easy to install, economical and very popular for shingle roofing. Architectural shingles have an extra layer of asphalt to give them a bulkier shape. This allows them to mimic other shingle roofing materials such as wood and slate.
Are Asphalt Shingles Eco-Friendly?
Although asphalt is a material that is not eco- friendly. Many manufacturers are producing fiberglass shingles with additional features to help the environment. Such as, solar reflective asphalt that can reduce the sun’s heating effect on a building. This is an eco-friendly benefit in that it reduces the energy needed to cool the building down.
How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last?
The lifetime of asphalt shingles depends on a number of factors, including: the weather, roof pitch, quality of the shingle and the quality of the installation. Manufacturers warranties range from 15 to 30 years.
How Do I Know When My Shingles Need to be Replaced?
There are a number of signs that indicate your asphalt shingles need to be replaced. curled or buckled, missing shingles, cracked shingles, lifted shingles and ceramic granules accumulating in your gutters and downspouts. If your shingle roof has any of these signs, you need to call in the professionals.
How Much is a New Asphalt Shingle Roof Going to Cost Me?
Asphalt shingle roofs are very economical. This is due to the fact that asphalt shingles themselves are cheap and they are very easy to install, which means your labor costs will be low. In addition if your roof deck is in good condition and you only have 1 layer of shingles on it, your new shingles can be laid directly over the old ones, meaning the job will be even faster and more economical. Call TM&S Shingle Roofing Contractor for all your shingle roofing needs.
