need answers on asphalt shingles?

WHAT ARE THEY?

Asphalt shingles are probably the most popular roofing material in North America and one of the most affordable. There are two basic types of asphalt shingles: fiberglass and organic. Fiberglass shingles are the most frequently selected type of shingles.

They are made with fiberglass mats attached to the shape of the shingle, and coated with asphalt. The fiberglass is there for reinforcement, while the asphalt is the ingredient that makes the shingle waterproof.

Organic shingles consist of an organic felt material saturated with asphalt. Again, the asphalt functions to make the shingle waterproof. However, fiberglass shingles have in recent years become much more popular than organic ones, and only a few companies still manufacture organic shingles. Because fiberglass shingles are more widely manufactured, they are cheaper and more popular with homeowners and contractors.

What are the benefits of asphalt shingles?

Asphalt shingles are very economical and simple to install. They come in a variety of different colors and styles, giving homeowners a very wide range of options. Asphalt shingle options may include: being coated with a special laminate to provide an attractive texture, or equipped with zinc plating to protect against algae build up.

These additional features bring up the cost, but are popular with some homeowners. Asphalt shingles are durable, easily repaired, and require little to no maintenance. They also work great on steep-sloped roofs. Overall, asphalt shingles are considered to be one of the most popular and cost-effective roofing options.

HOW LONG DO ASPHALT SHINGLES LAST?

The lifespan of asphalt shingles depends heavily upon the grade of the shingle and the environment. They are available in grades that last for anywhere between 20-50 years and beyond.

However, asphalt shingles can fail prematurely in hot climates. Thermal shock is very damaging to the life of your asphalt shingle roof. In climates where temperatures reach 100 during the daytime, and then drop to below 50 at night, asphalt shingles don’t have the time to properly expand and contract, and cracks begin to develop in the material. Also, during the cold months, water can get into the cracks and expand as it freezes, causing the already existing cracks to become even bigger.

Asphalt shingles thus do best in climates that have fairly steady temperatures - not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer. Despite all the possible risks, asphalt shingles are the preferred roofing material by homeowners and contractors alike.

WHAT ABOUT SHINGLE WARRANTIES?

Not all fiberglass shingles are the same; they come with a variety of different warrantees ranging from 20-50 years. When purchasing fiberglass shingles, you should pay special attention to the warrantees because its important to get your dollar's worth.

Most warrantees will usually cover defects such as thermal splitting, granule loss, cupping, and curling. Warrantees will usually not cover natural occurrences such as hurricanes, hail storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc. They usually do not cover any damage resulting from the failure of materials, such as damage done to the interior of the house as the result of roof leaks.

It's important to remember that proper roof ventilation is often required to validate the warranty on any shingles purchased. Please refer to the "Roof Ventilation" section for more information.

Whether or not your roof lives up to its life expectancy also depends heavily upon proper installation. Roofing Doctor is a highly certified business that uses only the best materials and techniques during the installation process - making sure that your roof lasts as long as the warranty promises. Please call or email us if you have any further questions regarding asphalt shingles.