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

When it comes to a roofing project you may want to look around and get some advice on which is considered the best shingle roof for your home.  Depending on the amount of money you want to spend you can purchase anything from metal, tile, asphalt, and cedar.  Decide if you want a company to install the shingles or if you want to do it yourself. 

Sears for example handles home improvements and does roofing projects.  They could easily be one company to consider with regarding the types of shingles you should consider when thinking of replacing your roof.  Your goal would be to find something that would be of high quality so you would have years of leak free shingles.  If you are thinking of installing the shingles yourself, you must realize that it is back breaking work and if it gets above seventy degrees it is going to be hot on that roof.  You risk dehydration, fatigue and dizziness the hotter the temperature gets up on the roof.  You run the risk of falling too.

Asphalt roof shingles can be made to look like slate; they come in all colors and vary in quality.  If this is your first roofing job you may want to consider do one with a shallow pitch that you can walk across with the fear of falling.  When it comes to color, if you are not sure what to use, you can easily pick up one bundle and lay them out on the roof and step away and look at it to see how the texture and color looks.  Your best bet if you do it yourself it to purchase your supplies from a roofing wholesaler.  The managers are the best to give you a quick lesson on quality.  The price per square foot is a good indicator of the quality too.  The higher it goes the higher the quality of the shingle you are purchasing.

If you are thinking of putting an asphalt roof over your existing roof check with your local building department making sure it is an acceptable building code.  Most roofing companies will take the old roof off before putting on the new one.  This accomplishes a couple of things, it allows an inspection of the existing roof and if there is wood damage then it can be repaired.  It there is a moisture problem it can be dealt with before the new roof is put on.  This comes in very handy if you have sky lights or a chimney or even exhaust fans.  Look over the roof and make sure the wood is fastened securely and take care of any small repairs while it is exposed before placing the shingles on the roof.

If you are in a high humid area then you may want to consider buying roof shingles that contain copper in the colored ceramic granules.  Copper is a natural biocide that kills common roof algae.  This is what is responsible for the black streaks that you see on many residential roof shingles.  Attention to detail is very important when you replacing your roof.  Whether you do it yourself or decide to have a company come in and install the roof for you, take your time and have the job done right.

Find More Buying Roofing Shingles Articles

The cost of roofing in the last few years has been a roller coaster ride. Trying to decipher when the right time to purchase a new roof in Vancouver is a gamble. With new taxes a volatile oil market and labour prices bouncing all over the place how do you know you are getting the best deal. Well we cant speak about the future but you can speak about the past and present. We all know that in 2007 and 2008 Vancouver saw a boom like no other time before with labour, oil and natural elements all coming together at a time to make a perfect storm. The reality of that moment was that you would pay more then compared to the cost now. With such demand on Home renovations when Government green incentives and a booming market pushed up prices to astronomical amounts allowing high overhead and demanding business. The table has turned in the direction towards the consumer where you have roofing companies in Vancouver all competing for your business.

How do they do this? The cost of roofing shingles has come down due to lower oil prices and tax breaks that has been past over to the consumer through the political environment. Labour prices have come down due to reduced demand and last but not least with a competitive market of roofing companies all have slashed their margins. As a result prices are lower than ever making this the opportunity for home owners to get their roofs done. I also sell windows and doors and say that the same applies to other home renovations.

If you had a roofing estimate done a year or two ago and didnt go ahead with the roofing project go and get another estimate now and you may be shocked how much the prices have come down

The cost of roofing in the last few years has been a roller coaster ride. Trying to decipher when the right time to purchase a new roof in Vancouver is a gamble. With new taxes a volatile oil market and labour prices bouncing all over the place how do you know you are getting the best deal. Well we cant speak about the future but you can speak about the past and present. We all know that in 2007 and 2008 Vancouver saw a boom like no other time before with labour, oil and natural elements all coming together at a time to make a perfect storm. The reality of that moment was that you would pay more then compared to the cost now. With such demand on Home renovations when Government green incentives and a booming market pushed up prices to astronomical amounts allowing high overhead and demanding business. The table has turned in the direction towards the consumer where you have roofing companies in Vancouver all competing for your business.

How do they do this? The cost of roofing shingles has come down due to lower oil prices and tax breaks that has been past over to the consumer through the political environment. Labour prices have come down due to reduced demand and last but not least with a competitive market of roofing companies all have slashed their margins. As a result prices are lower than ever making this the opportunity for home owners to get their roofs done. I also sell windows and doors and say that the same applies to other home renovations.

If you had a roofing estimate done a year or two ago and didnt go ahead with the roofing project go and get another estimate now and you may be shocked how much the prices have come down