There are many decisions to be made when it comes time to replace or repair your roof. Here is everything you need to know about asphalt shingles.
- What material should you use for your roof?
- Do you need to tear off the old roof material?
- What local roofing contractor can you trust?
You deserve to get good answers to your questions. The cost to replace a residential roof ranges from $5,100 to $10,000. This is too much money to waste on poor investments!
Although we cannot answer all of your questions in one article, Old Time is committed to providing valuable information to help you make informed decisions about your roofing project.
We’re going to take a deep dive into asphalt shingles today so that you can determine if they are right for you.
Let’s get started!
Asphalt shingles are something you have probably seen before if you live in America. Asphalt shingle roofs are used on four out of five American homes.
What exactly are asphalt shingles?
How Are Asphalt Shingles Made?
Asphalt is a semi-solid, sticky, black form of petroleum. It is usually produced as a byproduct from crude oil refining.
Since thousands of years, asphalt has been used in construction. It was used by the Babylonians to make mortar between clay bricks, and in waterproofing lines for canals.
Asphalt is used primarily for paving roads, but it can also be used to build dams, line retention ponds and control soil erosion. Asphalt is also used by automakers to reduce road noise and rust in cars’ fenders and hoods.
Asphalt is, as you might imagine, an important ingredient in asphalt roofing shingles.
How it works:
Asphalt shingles is made in two layers.
The foundation or base is the first layer. The foundation can be either fiberglass or organic felt.
Organic shingles are made from organic felt. The foundation is made from cellulose fibers that are either recycled paper or wood.
The fiberglass base makes the shingles lighter and more resistant to fire. Fiberglass membrane is created by cutting fine glass filaments into small pieces and then mixing them with water to form a pulp that is then formed into a sheet.
The asphalt is the second layer.
It doesn’t matter what base you choose; asphalt is used to top it off. To protect shingles from the sun’s harmful rays, granules coated with ceramic are applied to topcoat them.
To prevent shingles from sticking together, coat the back of the shingles in talc, sand or mica.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle is an umbrella term that describes any asphalt shingle. Before you put shingles on your roof you should know what kind of asphalt shingle to use.
There are two main types of asphalt shingles.
- 3-tab shingles
- Architectural shingles
Let’s take a look at each type of shingles.
3-Tab Shingles:
The most popular type of asphalt shingle for roofing projects is the 3-tab shingles.
They are light, cheap, and do the job!
The 3-tab shingles, however, are a single-ply (one-layer) shingle that has three tabs. This means that 3-tab Shingles don’t add any visual interest to your roof.
They are easy to install and maintain a neat appearance in a home.
3-tab shingles are a great choice if you value aesthetics more than budget.
Architectural Shingles
Also called dimensional or laminated shingles, Architectural shingles give your roof a unique look.
Why?
The lower portions of the shingle are laminated using an additional layer of asphalt. This creates a 2-ply structure which gives your roof a thicker and more three-dimensional appearance.
Each tab of architectural shingles has a different shape and size. This makes architectural shingles great at replicating the look and feel of a wood shake roof.
Additionally, architectural shingles have a higher quality of asphalt than 3-tab and a greater number of granules. Architectural shingles can also be infused with color distinctions to enhance the appearance of the shingles.
Two reasons homeowners love these shingles:
- They are unique and attractive.
- They can increase the resale value of a house.
Architectural shingles are slightly more expensive than traditional 3-tab shingles but the return on investment is often well worth it, especially if your goal is to create a beautiful, unique look for your home.
Asphalt shingles must be a quality roofing material if they are used on at least four of every five American homes.
Let’s take a look at the many benefits of asphalt shingles, which make them an excellent roofing material.
There are many options
Your home is the perfect place to showcase your individual style. Are you more fond of light, creamy carpets or dark hardwood floors? Do you prefer neutral, elegant colors or bolder colors?
If your options are limited, it might be difficult to express your style.
This is a problem when it comes to shingles, as your roof can make up up to 40% of your home’s exterior. It deserves the same attention as interior design.
Asphalt shingles offer a wide range of styles and colors.
It’s possible to find a light shingle color that will complement your house.
You might also want a dark shingle color for your brick home. You can also get that option!
Even asphalt shingle roofs can be designed to look like tile, wood shakes or slate.
Asphalt Shingles Are Affordable
Humans are tied to the money restraints, regardless of whether we like it.
We would love to be able to buy a sports car or a roof for our house, but that is not how it works.
Only when we have enough money can we make home improvements and purchases.
This is why so many people choose asphalt roofing shingles
Old Time Roofing is happy to provide a list and proof of licensing and insurance.
We invite you to get in touch about our outstanding workmanship warranties, or visit our gallery of roofing projects for a visual representation of the work we do. We understand that you are serious about your future. Nobody wants to have a roof put on their house or business only to have it ripped off again in a few more years. No one wants to be “ripped off.” This article will help you make an informed decision about asphalt shingles and how to find a quality roofing contractor. Old Time Roofing is a trusted roofing company. We offer residential roofing, commercial roofing, as well as 24/7 emergency roofing service and repair. We’ll manage your roof so that you can concentrate on the things that matter most to you.