One of the most common roofing materials used today is the humble asphalt shingle. While there have been advances in asphalt shingle technology, such as the advent of asphalt architectural or dimensional shingles, the basic concept remains the same. A layer of asphalt material is applied to a substrate such as paper, fabric, fiberglass, or composite, and the resulting surface is coated with granules. It's a simple concept, but one that has proven to be solid and reliable for decades.
While metal roofing continues to rise in popularity, asphalt 3-tab and architectural shingles continue to dominate the roofing material market. While the standard 3-tab asphalt shingle is good for about 20 years, good quality asphalt architectural shingles can provide a service life of 30-plus years, making them one of the most affordable methods of creating a fortified roof. Keep reading to learn what you should know about asphalt shingles.
They're Durable
The life span of even 3-tab shingles can often exceed 20 years, but with high-end architectural shingles, the service life can easily approach 40 years. Asphalt shingles of all types are easy to repair and maintain. Once the shingles are installed, there's very little you need to do to keep them in prime condition, aside from conducting a periodic roof inspection to ensure that your roofing system is intact.
They're Easy to Install
Unlike some other types of roofing materials that require installation from specialized professionals, almost any roofing crew can install asphalt shingles efficiently. Asphalt shingles are lightweight, which means they're easy to transport and move to the roofing surface. They don't require structural amendments to your home for installation since they're lightweight. All that's required for a quality roof with asphalt shingles is solid decking, the required underlayment, new flashing, and the shingles.
They're Affordable
Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable types of roofing material, both in their upfront pricing and their long-term costs. The standard 3-tab shingle is the least expensive roofing material, and though architectural shingles are a little more expensive, they're reasonably priced given their extended life span and the low maintenance load. Also, because they require no additional support structure due to their light weight, you save on additional installation costs required of other heavier roofing materials. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, asphalt roofing costs the least to repair, maintain, replace, and dispose of when their service life is expended.
They're Diverse in Appearance
Asphalt shingles offer the greatest range of diversity when it comes to color, appearance, shape, and texture. No matter what type of roofing surface you've had in the past, there's likely a style of asphalt shingle that can replicate it. For example, if you've had wood shakes in the past but want to transition to asphalt shingles, there are asphalt shingles that are made to replicate the look of wood. They come in a wide range of colors and shades, and architectural shingles can create a 3-D look by using a pattern that creates depth.
Asphalt shingles offer homeowners a dynamic, durable, and cost-effective roofing material that's easy to install, repair, and maintain. With the help of a professional roofing company, you can take advantage of the great benefits offered by asphalt roofing. If you're ready to install an asphalt shingle roof, contact Findlay Roofing at (770) 516-5806.
