2nd part

Read here 1st part: ASPHALT ROOFING SHINGLES: INSIDER TIPS (1)

Exposure to rain

It seems oxymoron to recommend protection of asphalt shingles from rain, doesn’t it?

It is surprising but asphalt shingles depend on the roof slope to bring off their mission with success!!

If asphalt shingles lay flat (zero slope), the water will permeate the asphaltic mass and cause problems exactly as with every porous material.

Exposure to freezing temperatures

Exposure of asphalt shingles to freezing conditions will induce cracking if installation is made under cold temperatures.

Of course shingles will be more prone to cracking if they need to be bent (ridges etc.).

Poor storage conditions: many pallets stacked atop one another

Some manufacturers recommend two pallets high shingle stacks. Others only one.

The thing is that many suppliers due to lack of storage room, store asphalt shingles in 3,4 or 5 pallets high shingle stacks.

This is totally unacceptable, especially when they don’t use plywood panels to separate the pallets.

The weight is excessive and considerable deformations/distortions may occur. These distortions will be dramatic if pallets are stocked outdoors.

When you buy this deformed shingles, it’s nearly impossible to achieve a nice, flat appearance on your roof. Deformations will be apparent if not conspicuous and the phenomenon will be rather irreversible.

It is also probable that some self sealing strips will not be activated due to lack of contact.

In case of high temperatures the shingles will stick to each other, becoming thus unsuitable for use.

TIP no 2

Check the age of shingles

As we have already remarked asphalt shingles age while stored.

Organized suppliers rotate the stock and they don’t keep shingles for more than one year. One year is – let’s say – a safety margin for the use of shingles. If they are stocked for a biggest time span their quality is compromised. This compromisation could be severe depending on the storage conditions.

Check the adhesive label or the imprint on the bundle wrapper and you will find the production date. Asphalt shingles should be preferably used within 12 months from the production date.

However, if the storage conditions are impeccable, this time span could reach 24 months, which is very important for all non moving items (special colors and shapes).

TIP no 3

Beware of color variations

Asphalt shingles from different lots have usually distinguishable color variations (shadings).

This is despite the improved blending procedures that many manufactures use for the blending of different nuance granules.

If you have a big project, make sure that you buy asphalt shingles from the same lot. Make this crystal clear to your supplier that you won’t tolerate shadings especially if your project is of great aesthetical importance and highly visible.

Another thing you have to do is to check if there is enough stock to cover your needs in case of unforeseen events.

A prudent action is to buy some bundles more and keep them for future interventions.

It is most probable that you won’t find supplementary material when you will need it and this may be for a thousand reasons.

End of 2nd and last part

Chris Strogilis

Civ. Eng. – MBA – DipM

http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com/

2nd part

Read here 1st part: ASPHALT ROOFING SHINGLES: INSIDER TIPS (1)

Exposure to rain

It seems oxymoron to recommend protection of asphalt shingles from rain, doesn’t it?

It is surprising but asphalt shingles depend on the roof slope to bring off their mission with success!!

If asphalt shingles lay flat (zero slope), the water will permeate the asphaltic mass and cause problems exactly as with every porous material.

Exposure to freezing temperatures

Exposure of asphalt shingles to freezing conditions will induce cracking if installation is made under cold temperatures.

Of course shingles will be more prone to cracking if they need to be bent (ridges etc.).

Poor storage conditions: many pallets stacked atop one another

Some manufacturers recommend two pallets high shingle stacks. Others only one.

The thing is that many suppliers due to lack of storage room, store asphalt shingles in 3,4 or 5 pallets high shingle stacks.

This is totally unacceptable, especially when they don’t use plywood panels to separate the pallets.

The weight is excessive and considerable deformations/distortions may occur. These distortions will be dramatic if pallets are stocked outdoors.

When you buy this deformed shingles, it’s nearly impossible to achieve a nice, flat appearance on your roof. Deformations will be apparent if not conspicuous and the phenomenon will be rather irreversible.

It is also probable that some self sealing strips will not be activated due to lack of contact.

In case of high temperatures the shingles will stick to each other, becoming thus unsuitable for use.

TIP no 2

Check the age of shingles

As we have already remarked asphalt shingles age while stored.

Organized suppliers rotate the stock and they don’t keep shingles for more than one year. One year is – let’s say – a safety margin for the use of shingles. If they are stocked for a biggest time span their quality is compromised. This compromisation could be severe depending on the storage conditions.

Check the adhesive label or the imprint on the bundle wrapper and you will find the production date. Asphalt shingles should be preferably used within 12 months from the production date.

However, if the storage conditions are impeccable, this time span could reach 24 months, which is very important for all non moving items (special colors and shapes).

TIP no 3

Beware of color variations

Asphalt shingles from different lots have usually distinguishable color variations (shadings).

This is despite the improved blending procedures that many manufactures use for the blending of different nuance granules.

If you have a big project, make sure that you buy asphalt shingles from the same lot. Make this crystal clear to your supplier that you won’t tolerate shadings especially if your project is of great aesthetical importance and highly visible.

Another thing you have to do is to check if there is enough stock to cover your needs in case of unforeseen events.

A prudent action is to buy some bundles more and keep them for future interventions.

It is most probable that you won’t find supplementary material when you will need it and this may be for a thousand reasons.

End of 2nd and last part

Chris Strogilis

Civ. Eng. – MBA – DipM

http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com/

Step 1 Calculate

Figure out how large the roof area is. You need to know the surface area of the actual roof, not the square footage of the house that it will be covering. (Although this may differ with roof slope, normally it will be 110% to 130% of the actual living space on the upper floor.)

Step 2 Contemplate

Think about the kind of roofing material you are interested in utilizing. Style and costs are the factors to consider when making this determination. The least costly choice is asphalt. Sometimes wood or slate roofing is used on fashionable homes.

Step 3 Shop Around and Make Your Selection

Compare the roofing materials available at several home stores. The length of the manufacturer’s guarantee (normally 20-50 years) is usually the determining factor in the grading of asphalt shingles. Higher-end asphalt shingles feature longer guarantees and look heavier and more dimensional. Fewer choices are available with wood and slate roofing. If you have decided to have a slate roof installed, it will be necessary for you to decide if you want manufactured or natural slate. You will also have to choose a color.

Step 4 Obtain Pricing and Advice

Prior to ordering material, check with your roofing company. Be certain that the contractor is experienced in installing the material that you have selected and that you are aware of the costs of installation. (There can be a significant variation in these costs depending upon the materials that are utilized.)

Step 5 Order

Place an order for the necessary roofing materials.