Asphalt is a naturally occurring element. Probably more commonly known for its use in building roads, it’s environmentally friendly and one of the world’s oldest building materials. Economic, durable, attractive, and easy to install and maintain, it’s no mystery that asphalt shingles are the most popular choice for roofing material in the United States.

Starting at less than per square foot, asphalt is an inexpensive roofing option suitable for most building projects. And the simple installation, maintenance, and repair enables many homeowners to complete a roofing project themselves.

Asphalt shingles come in two basic types: fiberglass and organic. Fiberglass shingles are more popular and less expensive. Organic shingles are heavier and more durable. Fillers are added as reinforcement and protection. Asphalt weighs less than concrete, slate, wood, and metal roofing, making it easier and less expensive to install.

Correctly installed, quality manufactured asphalt singles have few problems. Most problems arise from poor installation, improperly ventilated attics, or “spliced” shingles (which should be discarded before installation). A well-ventilated attic is thought to prolong the lifespan of shingles. Of course, there can be other damages to shingles such as debris, falling limbs and trees, and damaging weather conditions. Wind can cause the singles to uplift or tear off, and excess moisture can cause mildew problems.

The cost, maintenance, and lifespan of asphalt shingles depends a good deal on the environment. For the most part, the hotter the weather, the shorter the lifespan of the shingle. Drastic and sudden temperature changes, also called thermal shock can cause shingles to expand and contract too quickly, causing cracks and splits.

Asphalt roofing shingles generally carry a manufacturer’s warranty against defects. However, warranties do not usually cover labor charges or consequential damages. If your home is damaged due to a defective shingles, the warranty is not responsible. Make sure you get a written warranty and understand the terms and limits. Warranties are not valid if the materials were incorrectly installed or if the damage is due to insufficient attic ventilation. Warranties do not cover “acts of God or nature,” which is a common term for natural disaster such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

Wind causes a substantial amount of shingle damage. Despite other options, asphalt shingles remain the top choice because they are also easy to replace. Heavier roofing materials can become projectiles in high winds, causing further damage on the home. To better protect against other damages, trim limbs away from your home and clear trees that could fall on your roof.

Despite all of nature’s forces, asphalt shingle manufacturers engineer their materials to endure the wind, rain, sun, and snow. Some shingles are even treated to withstand moisture damage, which can leave black spots and streaks due to mildew and algae.
Not only is asphalt durable, efficient, and economic, it can also be beautiful and add value to your home. Dozens of colors, textures, and styles, there are even asphalt shingles that look like cedar, tiles, or slate. With so much variety, your roof can be as unique as your imagination. Changing the style of your shingles can make your house a one-of-a-kind in your neighborhood.

Copyright (c) 2006

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles

Asphalt is a naturally occurring element. Probably more commonly known for its use in building roads, it’s environmentally friendly and one of the world’s oldest building materials. Economic, durable, attractive, and easy to install and maintain, it’s no mystery that asphalt shingles are the most popular choice for roofing material in the United States.

Starting at less than per square foot, asphalt is an inexpensive roofing option suitable for most building projects. And the simple installation, maintenance, and repair enables many homeowners to complete a roofing project themselves.

Asphalt shingles come in two basic types: fiberglass and organic. Fiberglass shingles are more popular and less expensive. Organic shingles are heavier and more durable. Fillers are added as reinforcement and protection. Asphalt weighs less than concrete, slate, wood, and metal roofing, making it easier and less expensive to install.

Correctly installed, quality manufactured asphalt singles have few problems. Most problems arise from poor installation, improperly ventilated attics, or “spliced” shingles (which should be discarded before installation). A well-ventilated attic is thought to prolong the lifespan of shingles. Of course, there can be other damages to shingles such as debris, falling limbs and trees, and damaging weather conditions. Wind can cause the singles to uplift or tear off, and excess moisture can cause mildew problems.

The cost, maintenance, and lifespan of asphalt shingles depends a good deal on the environment. For the most part, the hotter the weather, the shorter the lifespan of the shingle. Drastic and sudden temperature changes, also called thermal shock can cause shingles to expand and contract too quickly, causing cracks and splits.

Asphalt roofing shingles generally carry a manufacturer’s warranty against defects. However, warranties do not usually cover labor charges or consequential damages. If your home is damaged due to a defective shingles, the warranty is not responsible. Make sure you get a written warranty and understand the terms and limits. Warranties are not valid if the materials were incorrectly installed or if the damage is due to insufficient attic ventilation. Warranties do not cover “acts of God or nature,” which is a common term for natural disaster such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

Wind causes a substantial amount of shingle damage. Despite other options, asphalt shingles remain the top choice because they are also easy to replace. Heavier roofing materials can become projectiles in high winds, causing further damage on the home. To better protect against other damages, trim limbs away from your home and clear trees that could fall on your roof.

Despite all of nature’s forces, asphalt shingle manufacturers engineer their materials to endure the wind, rain, sun, and snow. Some shingles are even treated to withstand moisture damage, which can leave black spots and streaks due to mildew and algae.
Not only is asphalt durable, efficient, and economic, it can also be beautiful and add value to your home. Dozens of colors, textures, and styles, there are even asphalt shingles that look like cedar, tiles, or slate. With so much variety, your roof can be as unique as your imagination. Changing the style of your shingles can make your house a one-of-a-kind in your neighborhood.

Copyright (c) 2006

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles

Asphalt roofing shingles are one of the most standard options for roofing materials. As a matter of fact, a minimum of 75% of the houses in the US utilize asphalt shingles. Asphalt roofing shingles are available in several styles and costs and come with warranties from 20-40 years.

You will find 2 types of asphalt shingle construction: Fiberglass mat based shingles and Organic mat based shingles.

Fiberglass based shingles are usually thinner and lighter in weight, as their backing is built from a fiberglass mat. As a result, fiberglass mat based roofing shingles are much easier to pick up making a roofer’s job simpler while carrying shingles up a ladder. Fiberglass mat shingles are also more fire retardant and usually have slightly longer warranties than organic based roofing shingles.

Organic based shingles tend to be heavier and are known to be much more rugged as their mat backing is built out of felt paper and asphalt. They’re heavier due to the fact that there’s basically a lot more asphalt utilized in them than a Fiberglass mat shingle. Organic mat based roofing shingles are also known to be much more flexible than fiberglass shingles, on the other hand they’re considered more water absorbent and might warp in time.

Fiberglass asphalt based roofing shingles used on your residence must be compliant with ASTM D-3462 standards, and Organic based shingles utilized on your property must be compliant with ASTM D-225. A large number of cities are requiring shingles to fulfill such criteria, so you need to check with your local Calgary roofing contractor and read the label on the shingles ahead of purchasing them. Fiberglass and Organic mat based shingles are comparably priced. They might range anywhere from to per square.

3-Tab roofing shingles have existed for a very long time and are still one of the most common shingle installed, however an increasing number of home owners are shifting towards architectural shingles. Architectural shingles are a little more costly but are in reality simpler to install, as less care is required in ensuring straight lines. Architectural roofing shingles typically also have longer warranty periods. 3-Tab shingles generally require a lot of skill and longer installment time because the Calgary roofing contractor needs to ensure that wavy shingle lines aren’t produced while installing the shingles. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are a little easier to install as the lines and shadows are created to be a lot more intricate. As a result, flaws in the set up procedure of architectural shingles could be more difficult to see. Architectural shingles usually cost more than 3-Tab shingles, but their fee could possibly be to some degree mitigated by a lower installation cost.

Whichever shingles you decide to utilize, ensure that you read the shingle packaging labels and check with your local roofing company inspector first. Your home’s roofing system is one of the most essential elements of your home. An incorrectly installed shingle job or the installation of the wrong roofing shingles can lead to costly water damage and high repair expenses.

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles

Asphalt roofing shingles are one of the most standard options for roofing materials. As a matter of fact, a minimum of 75% of the houses in the US utilize asphalt shingles. Asphalt roofing shingles are available in several styles and costs and come with warranties from 20-40 years.

You will find 2 types of asphalt shingle construction: Fiberglass mat based shingles and Organic mat based shingles.

Fiberglass based shingles are usually thinner and lighter in weight, as their backing is built from a fiberglass mat. As a result, fiberglass mat based roofing shingles are much easier to pick up making a roofer’s job simpler while carrying shingles up a ladder. Fiberglass mat shingles are also more fire retardant and usually have slightly longer warranties than organic based roofing shingles.

Organic based shingles tend to be heavier and are known to be much more rugged as their mat backing is built out of felt paper and asphalt. They’re heavier due to the fact that there’s basically a lot more asphalt utilized in them than a Fiberglass mat shingle. Organic mat based roofing shingles are also known to be much more flexible than fiberglass shingles, on the other hand they’re considered more water absorbent and might warp in time.

Fiberglass asphalt based roofing shingles used on your residence must be compliant with ASTM D-3462 standards, and Organic based shingles utilized on your property must be compliant with ASTM D-225. A large number of cities are requiring shingles to fulfill such criteria, so you need to check with your local Calgary roofing contractor and read the label on the shingles ahead of purchasing them. Fiberglass and Organic mat based shingles are comparably priced. They might range anywhere from to per square.

3-Tab roofing shingles have existed for a very long time and are still one of the most common shingle installed, however an increasing number of home owners are shifting towards architectural shingles. Architectural shingles are a little more costly but are in reality simpler to install, as less care is required in ensuring straight lines. Architectural roofing shingles typically also have longer warranty periods. 3-Tab shingles generally require a lot of skill and longer installment time because the Calgary roofing contractor needs to ensure that wavy shingle lines aren’t produced while installing the shingles. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are a little easier to install as the lines and shadows are created to be a lot more intricate. As a result, flaws in the set up procedure of architectural shingles could be more difficult to see. Architectural shingles usually cost more than 3-Tab shingles, but their fee could possibly be to some degree mitigated by a lower installation cost.

Whichever shingles you decide to utilize, ensure that you read the shingle packaging labels and check with your local roofing company inspector first. Your home’s roofing system is one of the most essential elements of your home. An incorrectly installed shingle job or the installation of the wrong roofing shingles can lead to costly water damage and high repair expenses.

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles