Asphalt Shingles Roofing

Weighing Asphalt Shingles
by Roof101 – There are many reasons why most Americans pick asphalt roofing shingles, fiberglass-based asphalt shingles particularly, when choosing their residential roofing material. Asphalt shingles are economical, inexpensive and simple to install, either by a professional contractor or by homeowners themselves. The other type of asphalt shingles is organic shingles, heavier and more durable, containing about 40% more asphalt per square foot. Fiberglass roof shingles usually weigh in the range of 1.8 to 2.3 pounds per square foot, compared with 2,000 gram organic roof shingles. Although not as heavy as the asbestos roofing shingles of the past, they are in wide use in the United States, even in hurricane prone regions.

Asphalt Roof Shingles in Weather Conditions
Although highly durable, asphalt shingles depend on environmental and weather conditions. They are a better choice for cooler climates compared with warm ones, as they last longer in such conditions. This, among other reasons, explains their wide popularity in Canada and the northern regions of the United States. Roof shingles with a lifespan of 20 years in northern US states such as Minneapolis or Pennsylvania where data has been collected, last an average of only 14 years in the Arizona desert. Asphalt shingles suffer also from dramatic changes in temperatures over a short period of time. Splits and cracks may occur in such conditions.

Warranted Asphalt Shingles
Yet manufacturers of asphalt shingles usually provide 20 to 50 year warranties that cover manufacturing defects. Warranties are generally for the materials and will be voided in certain situations, in the case of improper installation for example. Certain natural phenomena such as hurricanes and severe hail storms may not be covered in the warranties either. Ask for the manufacturer’s literature before making a decision on your asphalt shingles and what type you prefer – fiberglass asphalt or organic asphalt.

Shopping for Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles prices start at around .80 per square foot. The best asphalt roof shingles, however, may be a little more expensive. Here at Roof 101 you are invited to contact us and describe the project you are interested in – installing, replacing, repairing roof shingles or other. A representative will then contact you with professional advice, price estimate and a comprehensive service offer. We will find the right material and work for the look you are after and for your exact location, leaving you satisfied with durable asphalt shingles over your head that are both aesthetically appealing and economical.

by Roof101

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles

Asphalt Shingles Roofing

Weighing Asphalt Shingles
by Roof101 – There are many reasons why most Americans pick asphalt roofing shingles, fiberglass-based asphalt shingles particularly, when choosing their residential roofing material. Asphalt shingles are economical, inexpensive and simple to install, either by a professional contractor or by homeowners themselves. The other type of asphalt shingles is organic shingles, heavier and more durable, containing about 40% more asphalt per square foot. Fiberglass roof shingles usually weigh in the range of 1.8 to 2.3 pounds per square foot, compared with 2,000 gram organic roof shingles. Although not as heavy as the asbestos roofing shingles of the past, they are in wide use in the United States, even in hurricane prone regions.

Asphalt Roof Shingles in Weather Conditions
Although highly durable, asphalt shingles depend on environmental and weather conditions. They are a better choice for cooler climates compared with warm ones, as they last longer in such conditions. This, among other reasons, explains their wide popularity in Canada and the northern regions of the United States. Roof shingles with a lifespan of 20 years in northern US states such as Minneapolis or Pennsylvania where data has been collected, last an average of only 14 years in the Arizona desert. Asphalt shingles suffer also from dramatic changes in temperatures over a short period of time. Splits and cracks may occur in such conditions.

Warranted Asphalt Shingles
Yet manufacturers of asphalt shingles usually provide 20 to 50 year warranties that cover manufacturing defects. Warranties are generally for the materials and will be voided in certain situations, in the case of improper installation for example. Certain natural phenomena such as hurricanes and severe hail storms may not be covered in the warranties either. Ask for the manufacturer’s literature before making a decision on your asphalt shingles and what type you prefer – fiberglass asphalt or organic asphalt.

Shopping for Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles prices start at around .80 per square foot. The best asphalt roof shingles, however, may be a little more expensive. Here at Roof 101 you are invited to contact us and describe the project you are interested in – installing, replacing, repairing roof shingles or other. A representative will then contact you with professional advice, price estimate and a comprehensive service offer. We will find the right material and work for the look you are after and for your exact location, leaving you satisfied with durable asphalt shingles over your head that are both aesthetically appealing and economical.

by Roof101

Related Asphalt Roofing Shingles Articles

Although you might be familiar with roofs made of tin, slate or shingle – what about rubber roofing? Isn’t that only for mental institutions? Nope. Rubber roofing may be suitable for every kind of edifice. You needn’t be concerned that your roof will end up resembling red rubber balls – unless that’s your desire! Slate gray and black are the typical colors for rubber roofing material.

What’s Good About Rubber Roofing?

Well, first rubber roofing is not actually made entirely of rubber. This roofing material is called thermoset EPDM roofing. It consists mostly of rubber polymers, similar to those found in tires. The tire-maker Firestone is actually a leading manufacturer of rubber roof material.

What factors make rubber roofing an attractive choice?

Installation is not as difficult as with individual shingles or corrugated seam construction. Since it takes less time to install, you’ll pay your roofer less to get the job done.

If you want to get the advantages of rubber roofing, you might not have to remove your existing roof. Rubber roofing may be placed on top of an existing roof, if it is structurally sound. But if there are major areas of damage, it is better to remove the old roof.

In Britain, rubber roofing is regarded as a green building material since it biodegrades.

Simple upkeep, Longer lifespan due to the lack of rigidity for rubber roofing. Because it breathes more, it suffers less stress than other types of roofing (asphalt, for example) because it can cope with changes in the weather. Rubber roofing, then, is fine in harsh weather conditions.

This type is ideal for flat roofs, which is the typical configuration of industrial type structures.

Longer lifespan – rubber type roofing can hold up for as long as 5 decades. Firestone EDPM roofing boasts that it is completely resistant to cracking and splitting.

Rubber Roof Trivia

The very first rubber roof is still in use today. It was installed in Wisconsin in 1980.

There is a big hotel in Dubai called the Burj Al Arab Hotel. It is an interesting curved building that looks a little bit like a sailboat on the Dubai coast. What kind of roof does it have? If you guessed rubber roofing – you’d be right!

Britain’s Barclaycard Headquarters features rubber roofing as well. Barclaycard is among the largest banks in the UK.

It may be possible to cover a flat roof with just one 20′x100′ sheet, with minimal need to cut and make adjustments.

Many manufacturers of rubber roofing have high standards for contractors that use them. The contractor has to be certified by the rubber roofing manufacturer in order to sell their roofs..