One of the most popular types of roofing materials worldwide is asphalt shingles. They are produced using a combination of asphalt, fiberglass, and mineral granules. Because they provide various benefits, they are a good option for the proprietors of both residential and commercial properties.
In this article, we will discuss the various benefits of utilizing asphalt shingles as a roofing material. These benefits range from the shingles’ affordability and durability to their capacity to save on energy costs and their appealing appearance. Asphalt shingles are an option that should be considered when searching for a new roof material for an existing home or when constructing a new house from the ground up. Let’s talk about the advantages of using asphalt shingles.
A Wide Range of Options
Asphalt shingles are more complex to recognize. Why? as there are many different colors and styles available from manufacturers nowadays. A slate, wooden shake, or tile appearance can be achieved using asphalt shingles. Even the shapes of the shingles themselves can be altered to complement the architectural design of a house better.
There are a lot of different color choices accessible, and they range from grey and black to beige, brown, and blue-green. Even better, these hues may be combined to create a varied effect or give a historic home’s roof an antique aspect.
Affordability
Many experts believe the price is the most significant advantage of asphalt shingles. Nowadays, asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective type of roofing material that can be purchased.
A new shingle roof may cost as little as $1.50 per square foot and as much as $5.50 per square foot. Although it may seem like a wide range, the cost may vary according to the shingle type you select.
There are several roof shingle classes, and the quality impacts price. As one might anticipate, the higher the quality of the shingle, the more it will cost.
Dimensional shingles and other high-end types are often thicker than cheaper types, contributing to their increased durability, aesthetic value, and lifespan. Moreover, they often have a more extended warranty than the 3-tab shingle, which is less costly. It’s crucial to compare the many shingle possibilities to choose which best suits your requirements and price range.
Easily Maintained
The quality of the materials you use and the conditions under which your roof operates will determine its durability. The longevity of shingles can be impacted by rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures, which can also alter their care requirements. Yet, asphalt shingles call for very little maintenance over their lifetimes.
Having stated that, humid conditions pose a particular risk to the condition of a roof. On a roof, fungus and algae may flourish in specific environments. Consider installing shingles resistant to algae if you live in a wet region if your roof is shadowed and has a hard time drying up after a downpour. Leachable copper is applied on algae-resistant shingles, promoting faster roof drying and preventing moss growth.
Finding A Reliable Roofing Contractor Is Simple
Finding a roofing contractor should be fine if you decide against doing it yourself and instead want to hire a professional to install your roof.
Due to the limited number of roofing contractors specializing in metal and clay tile installations, it may be difficult to locate a professional installer for these roofing installations. In contrast, practically all reputable roofing companies provide asphalt shingle installations. Although asphalt shingles require more superficial installation than other roofing materials, they are less expensive to install.
Energy-Efficiency
It may surprise you that asphalt roofing has an advantage in terms of energy efficiency, but it does. When you buy an asphalt roof, your roof provider installs a complete system, including underlayment, which may help your house be more energy-efficient.
To lower the temperature of the roof surface, you may buy specially made asphalt shingles in light, moderate, and dark shades that reflect more of the sun’s infrared radiation. On hot, bright days, the city’s temperature can drop one or two degrees in significant metropolitan areas if these “cool” tiles cover most roofs. Residents may then be able to chill their houses with less energy.
As an alternative to the typical black asphalt soaked felts, synthetic underlayments like RoofGard-Cool Grey provide roofing workers with a more comfortable working environment during the installation of the shingles.
Resist strong winds
High winds may be an issue. Your roof should remain in place. Water may seep in below if the wind raises them, which might lead to a leaking roof. Thanks to manufacturing innovations, asphalt shingles are better than a few decades ago.
They all meet ASTM D3161 Class F and ASTM D7158 Class H wind ratings. Many statistics indicate they can resist 110–130 mph gusts when erected per the manufacturer’s application standards.
High-wind limited warranties from some manufacturers cover even greater wind speeds. If there’s a chance of solid winds where you live, ask your roofer to review the manufacturer’s warranties and application instructions.
Sound-Dampening Potentials
Traffic, aircraft, and barking dogs are just a few of the outside noises effectively muffled by asphalt shingles. They significantly contribute to the calmness and tranquility of your house. After all, you don’t need another object producing noise in your home if you have kids or dogs!
Installation simplicity
Compared to other roofing materials, asphalt shingles are less expensive to produce and more straightforward to install. Because of how simple they are to install, homeowners may save much much labor. Although labor prices may vary by region, installing asphalt roofing materials is significantly less expensive than installing other forms of roofing.
Mostly Fits In With Neighborhoods
An asphalt shingle roof may likely be seen in your immediate area. As we already discussed, it is the most typical variety of residential roofing. With an asphalt shingle roof, your home should fit in with the rest of the houses in the area.
Repairs are simple
Every roofer is capable of both installing and repairing roofing shingles. Choosing a distinctive material, like tile or metal roofing, might make it challenging to find a roofer who can make repairs. You might even need to contact the business that did the initial installation to obtain repairs for a customized metal roof. The advantage of asphalt roofing is that you may hire a different roofer whenever you need repairs.
Recyclable
Although this practice was common, roofing planks can no longer be thrown away in landfills. After your roofer eliminates your old shingles, they may transfer the debris and transform it into new commodities, like recycled asphalt, that is utilized in the construction and maintenance of highways. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, using recycled roofing tiles to improve the condition of a road is a viable option. In addition, power may be generated from used roofing shingles.
Integration with Other Roof Features
Consider building a classic chimney on your land, do you? Or a skylight in your contemporary, simple house? Flexible asphalt shingles are available. Adding new elements to one portion of a shingle roof is easy without upsetting the others. Other types of roofs might not bear this out.
Suitable Weight
Because shingles are not particularly heavy, you don’t need to worry about whether your roof can support them. Your home may need structural improvements to handle the weight of other roofing materials, such as metal.
Algae-Resistance
The issue of algae in the roofing sector is getting worse. Algae may develop on many roofs, especially wood ones, leaving a black stain that may cover part or all of your roof. If this is a problem, seek shingles that are resistant to algae. By preventing the formation of blue-green algae, these tiles preserve the color and beauty of your roof.
Fire Class A Rating
The Class A fire rating is found on some asphalt shingles. In the event of external fire dangers, they provide excellent protection against penetration and fire spread when placed as a part of an entire roof system.
How Many Years Does a Shingle Roof Typically Last?
Shingle roofs are a common and cost-effective roofing choice that may endure for a significant number of years if they are installed and maintained appropriately. The lifespan of a shingle roof can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of shingles used, the temperature and weather conditions present in the region, and the degree of care performed on the roof.
In general, shingle roofs have a lifespan of anywhere between 15 and 30 years, with some higher-end shingles having the ability to have a lifespan of up to 50 years. Asphalt shingles generally have a lifespan of between 20 and 25 years and are the sort of shingles utilized most frequently in residential homes.
The quality of the installation, the amount of ventilation in the attic, and any surrounding trees that might cause damage to the roof are some of the other elements that can affect the length of time a shingle roof can remain in good condition for use. Regularly checking your shingle roof for any damage or wear and tear symptoms would be best. If any problems are found, they should be addressed as soon as possible to maximize the roof’s lifespan.
When a shingle roof is correctly placed and maintained, it may give your house many years of dependable protection. Make it a point to hire a roofing contractor with a solid reputation to install your shingle roof correctly and up to the highest possible standards. Additionally, schedule routine maintenance and inspections to keep your roof in good condition for as long as possible.
Roof inspections can increase the lifespan of shingle roofs:
A shingle roof must be inspected regularly to maintain and increase its longevity. Shingle roofs are a standard and cost-effective roofing option, but they do need routine care to stay in excellent shape and head off problems before they arise.
During a roof inspection, a qualified roofing contractor will review the roof to search for any deterioration or damage, like missing or broken shingles, gaps or seeps, and malfunction to the flashing or underlayment. This is done to ensure that the roof is in good condition. Also, the contractor will inspect the attic’s ventilation and search for any indications of water damage or mold.
Homeowners may prevent problems from worsening and costing them more money by arranging routine roof inspections. The ability to plan and budget for required repairs or replacements is provided to homeowners through routine inspections, which may also serve to spot any possible concerns that need to be handled in the future.
Regular inspections may assist in increasing the home’s energy efficiency by locating any spots where heat or air conditioning may be escaping, in addition to extending the lifespan of a shingle roof. This can save energy costs and increase house comfort in general.
Routine roof inspections are a crucial component of shingle roof maintenance and may assist in increasing their longevity and reducing the need for future expensive repairs. To ensure their shingle roof is in good shape and offers dependable house protection, homeowners should arrange inspections at least once a year and follow any significant weather occurrences.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, asphalt shingles provide various benefits, making them a good choice for property owners of all types, including residential and commercial property owners. They resist severe weather conditions since they are durable, affordable, and versatile. Moreover, they are simple to install and maintain, saving time and money.
In addition, asphalt shingles have been shown to improve a building’s energy efficiency, leading to lower monthly energy costs and a minor overall carbon impact. In addition, because there are various colors and designs to choose from, they may enhance the value of a house while also complementing any architectural style.
While there may be worries regarding their influence on the environment and their longevity, these problems may be helped to a certain extent by careful installation and maintenance. In general, asphalt shingles are a dependable and cost-effective roofing solution that may offer long-lasting property protection and can do so at a reasonable price.
