Asphalt Shingles
Quick Summary of Key Question
What are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material asphalt, fiberglass, and other materials. They are resistant to mold, mildew, and fire, making them a popular choice among homeowners. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and styles. Additionally, they’re relatively affordable compared to other roofing materials and easy to install.
While asphalt shingles are often a good option for residential roofs, there are downsides as well. They tend to be less durable than other roofing materials and may need to be replaced more often. Furthermore, asphalt shingles absorb heat from the sun and can contribute to higher cooling costs during hot summer months.
So when it comes down to deciding on asphalt shingles versus another roofing material, consider your budget, climate, roof size, and expected life span before making your decision.
Now that you know what asphalt shingles are and the pros and cons associated with them, let’s talk about the material used to make them in the next section: Material of Asphalt Shingles.
- Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials due to their durability, affordability, and relatively easy installation.
- According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, asphalt shingle roofs have an estimated life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.
- A recent study by HomeAdvisor showed that asphalt shingles are up to 50% cheaper than other roof materials, such as metal or tile.
Essential Highlights
Material of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular materials used in roofing and they come in a wide variety of materials including fiberglass, organic, and laminated. The majority of homeowners opt for asphalt shingles due to their low cost, high durability, and resistance to fire. While asphalt has clear benefits, there is debate about the environmental impact of its production process.
Asphalt can contain recycled materials such as rubber, paper, or fiberglass as well as various resins and grits. Asphalt shingles are also infused with protective minerals, such as slate and talc, that benefit from their waterproofing capabilities and resistance to damage from UV rays. Asphalt is also lightweight and easy to install compared to other materials like slate and tile.
On the downside, asphalt shingles often contain petroleum-based products which can negatively impact air quality during roofing installation. The production process for asphalt shingle material also requires large amounts of energy for heating the ingredients. Asphalt shingles may also be susceptible to algae growth over time due to intense heat in some climates.
The debate over whether asphalt shingles are eco-friendly or not continues today; while they may produce less waste than other roofing materials, the energy consumption during production continues to have an environmental cost.
Moving on to the next type of asphalt shingle material which offers numerous benefits: fiberglass shingles. Fiberglass shingles offer superior protection against wind and hail damage with added strength and flexibility during installation; this makes them ideal for use in hurricane-prone regions. Furthermore, fiberglass shingles are resistant to stains from algae growth due to their ceramic coating which prevents water absorption from the elements.
In the following section, we’ll delve further into the details of fiberglass shingle material, including its advantages and drawbacks when compared with other roofing options
Fiberglass Shingles
Fiberglass shingles are one of the most popular rooftop products used in residential and commercial construction. They are made of a thin layer of asphalt embedded between two layers of fiberglass, making them durable and highly resistant to wear.
Pros: Fiberglass shingles are cost-effective, easy to install, lightweight, and available in a variety of different colors to match any home’s style. Some manufacturers offer up to 30 years of coverage, which is considerably longer than the traditional 3-tab asphalt option. It’s also important to note that this type of shingle provides superior fire protection compared to its organic counterpart.
Cons: One downside of fiberglass shingles is that their lifespan may be slightly shorter than organic shingles. Additionally, its installation can be more complicated due to the glue or nails needed for some applications, so it’s important to make sure you hire a professional roofer with experience installing fiberglass shingles.
When shopping around for fiberglass shingles, it’s important to review various options and make an educated decision based on your residential or commercial needs. With the right product installed by a qualified contractor, this type of shingle can last at least 15 years with little to no maintenance required.
Now that you know about fiberglass shingles, next, we’ll cover organic shingles which share many similarities but offer a few distinct advantages.
Organic Shingles
Organic shingles are a type of asphalt shingle made of paper saturated with asphalt for fire resistance and waterproofing. The outer covering is embedded in ceramic granules to improve durability, reflectiveness, and protection from UV light. Organic shingles are considered the traditional form of asphalt shingles, preferred by many homeowners. They were used throughout the United States as a roofing material before fiberglass shingles emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The primary benefit of organic shingles is they are often cheaper than fiberglass. However, one downside is that organic shingles generally have shorter lifespans, typically 15 to 20 years. In addition, organic shingles can be more prone to cracking and splitting compared to fiberglass shingles, requiring more frequent inspections and repairs.
Organic shingles are readily available from most home improvement stores and online retailers, making them a convenient option for those seeking to repair or replace roofs on a budget. Some critics argue that organic shingles will not offer enough protection from weather elements compared to fiberglass, but if properly installed and inspected there should be no worries about water seeping through.
Before deciding whether organic or fiberglass shingles are right for your home improvement project, weigh both options carefully to make sure you select the option that works best for you budget-wise and durability-wise. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of asphalt shingles in the next section.
Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
One big benefit of asphalt shingles is that they are considered low-maintenance compared with other types of roofing. As long as they’ve been properly installed and are inspected regularly, they should require minimal maintenance and likely won’t need to be replaced or repaired during their lifespan. Asphalt shingles are also lightweight, which can be beneficial when dealing with structural issues or weight restrictions.
On the flip side, some criticisms of asphalt shingle roofs point out that they don’t stand up as well to weather extremes as other roofing materials. In extreme climates with extreme temperatures or high wind speeds — for example, places near the ocean — asphalt roofs may not last as long as metal roofs or synthetic products that have better weather protection capabilities.
All in all, asphalt shingles offer many advantages that make them attractive to many homeowners. Their cost-effective nature along with their ease of installation and wide range of color selections render them a good option for most properties. Up next we’ll discuss how asphalt shingles protect your home from all kinds of weather conditions.
Now that we know how a cover of durable asphalt shingles provides protection against the elements, let’s move on to the topic of maintenance and installation in the next section.
Maintenance and Installation
When it comes to the maintenance and installation of asphalt shingles, there are a variety of considerations. Professionals can be hired for labor and installation, or homeowners with the right skillset can take on the job themselves. Hiring a roofing professional in Pueblo is often recommended, as they have the necessary experience and expertise to do the job correctly while attempting to install them yourself can be a time-consuming and difficult task.
Maintenance needs can vary depending on climate and weather conditions, as well as the quality of the roofing products being used. Colder climates may require stronger roofing products that won’t become brittle in subzero temperatures. Winds are another major factor when it comes to maintaining asphalt shingle roofs—strong winds can cause issues with uplifting or blowing off shingles, which could lead to costly damage down the line. Oftentimes preventive maintenance, such as regular inspections for signs of wear and tear, can be beneficial for avoiding costly repairs in the future.
Another important factor in regard to maintenance is understanding proper ventilation requirements for an asphalt shingle roof: good airflow helps keep the area cooler and drier, reducing the chance of erosion caused by heat and humidity buildup. Properly placed vents will help create more effective airflow and should be taken into account during installation. Poorly-ventilated roofs can suffer from premature deterioration due to poor temperature control.
With both installation and maintenance techniques when it comes to asphalt shingle roofs, it’s important to weigh out all options carefully before making a decision—hiring a professional may cost more upfront but could save money in the long run by avoiding costly repair work caused by improper installation or maintenance techniques.
The next section will discuss the cost and quality of asphalt shingles and how they change over time given proper maintenance and weather conditions.
Cost and Quality of Asphalt Shingles
However, when it comes to asphalt shingles, there are trade-offs to consider. Many homeowners assume that cheaper asphalt shingles mean a lower-quality product. While it is true that more expensive options typically offer a longer lifespan and better overall performance, not all cheap asphalt shingles are low-quality products. In some cases, off-brand asphalt shingles offer similar durability and performance as higher-end brands at a fraction of the price. The key is to read reviews and consult with experts before making a purchase decision.
On the other end of the spectrum, some may believe that more expensive brands always equate to superior quality. However, this is not always the case either. While high-end brands typically include additional features such as algae-resistant granules and weather protection technology not found in cheaper options, some experts argue that these additional features may not warrant the extra investment. Ultimately, it’s important to compare different products and weigh their benefits against their cost before committing to any one brand or style of asphalt shingle.
Cost and quality are two important factors to consider when evaluating any kind of roofing material, especially when it comes to asphalt shingles. There is no single “right” answer as there are multiple variables to consider including price, durability, performance, and value when selecting the best product for your home. In conclusion, after weighing all these factors carefully, you can make an informed decision on the best asphalt shingle for your individual needs and budget.
Ultimately, choosing between the cost and quality of asphalt shingles is a personal choice that requires careful consideration and research in order to find the perfect solution for your particular needs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what components should be considered in our next section when making a final decision.
Conclusion:
Now that we have reviewed the cost and quality of asphalt shingles, it’s time to move on to our conclusion: what components should be considered when making a final decision about which type of asphalt shingle to buy?
Conclusion
However, there are some drawbacks to asphalt shingles. If not properly applied, they can curl or warp, leading to premature failure and additional expenses. In addition, they may not be as energy-efficient as other roofing materials and have a shorter lifespan than metal or tile options.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose asphalt shingles or another material comes down to personal preference and budget. Consider carefully your needs and resources before making your final decision. Asphalt shingles provide an affordable option for protecting your home that is mostly hassle-free over its lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers
1) Cost Effectiveness: Asphalt shingles are much cheaper than other roofing materials like slate, wood, or metal. They offer good value for money, with their long life expectancy and low maintenance requirements.
2) Durability: Asphalt shingles are constructed from layered material that helps protect your roof from wind and other weather-related damage. The material is resistant to fire, UV rays, water, and biological deterioration so you can be sure that your roof will last for years to come.
3) Easy Installation: Installing asphalt shingles is relatively straightforward compared to other roofing materials such as tile or shake. Many do-it-yourselfers have successfully installed asphalt shingles on their own roofs, saving time and money on labor costs.
4) Aesthetics: Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors, styles, textures, and shapes so you can customize your roof to fit the architecture of your home or business. Additionally, asphalt shingles reflect heat better than other roofing materials, helping keep temperatures more consistent throughout the building's interior.
All these factors make asphalt shingle installation a great choice for many different types of projects. If you're considering an asphalt shingle install, be sure to read our book "Asphalt Shingles: Everything You Need To Know Before You Buy" for all the information you need!
