Asphalt Roofing

The ins and outs of Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt roofing is by far the most popular roof style today, as it is used in 4 out of 5 residential homes. Also, asphalt roofing provides consumers with various colors, styles, and textures to choose from when they are in the market for a new roof installation.

Construction

Asphalt roof shingles are made of a fiberglass-based composition. This layer is then coated with asphalt and a weather-resistant mineral granules coating.

Asphalt shingle types

There are three main types of asphalt shingles to choose from when shopping for your new roof. These types are 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury asphalt shingles. There are several other styles, but we’ll keep the main ones for now. You can do more research on every option that is available out there.

3-Tab:

Asphalt shingles come in this 3-tabbed variation which is the most economical cost among the three shingles. These shingles last about 20 years, depending on the weather conditions. The problem with this type of shingles is that there is a susceptibility to blow-off from storms. These 3-tab shingles also have a shorter lifespan than the two other styles of shingles.

Dimensional:

This style of shingles is manufactured with two layers of shingles bonded together. Notches are then removed to add depth to the appearance of the shingles. These shingles are also called architectural or laminated shingles. These shingles are more robust than the 3-tab shingles and have better aesthetic appeal. The pricing is higher than the 3-tabbed version, but these are still affordable overall.

Luxury:

As the name states, these are the top-of-the-line versions of asphalt shingles. These shingles provide a multi-dimensional appearance that replicates slate and cedar shake roofs. Slate and cedar shake roofs are expensive, up to 10 times more than dimensional-style shingles. Hence, this may be a more cost-effective substitute when on a tight budget.

Benefits of Asphalt Roofing

• Weatherproof: Asphalt roofing is proven to protect against the elements efficiently. Asphalt roofing resists the Sun’s ultraviolet rays, hot and cold temperatures, and water/ice.
• Fire safety: Asphalt roofing meets the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards for fire resistance.
• Low maintenance:  Very little maintenance occurs when an asphalt roof is installed correctly. If your roof is damaged, asphalt roofing is quite easily repaired.
• Application: Asphalt roofing is the most straightforward roofing material to apply. For consumers, this helps keep labor costs down.
• Aesthetics: Asphalt roofing products have come a long way. There is a wide variety of colors and shapes to choose from that can appeal to almost anyone in the market for a new home.
• Cost: The ease of manufacturing these shingles compared with high-volume production makes these shingles highly affordable.
• Reusability: Asphalt shingles can be used in various applications when recycled. With asphalt shingles dominating the residential home industry, it is pivotal that we do something with these after their lifespan ends. Used shingles are most commonly used for paving projects. Roads, driveways, and parking lots all help repurpose the shingle waste accumulated over the years.

Cons of Asphalt roofing

• Heat: Asphalt roofing does not do well in areas with extreme heat. The shingles tend to fade and crack due to the weather.
• Drastic Weather Changes: Asphalt shingles cannot handle temperature fluctuations. When the temperature is hot, the shingles expand, and when it is cold, they contract. Too much of this expansion and contraction causes cracks in the shingles.
• Not so eco-friendly: Asphalt shingles are a semi-solid form of petroleum. They also consume a lot of energy to manufacture, producing extensive greenhouse gas emissions.

Takeaway

As Wichita Asphalt roofing experts, we know that asphalt roofs are among the top choices for residential homes, and for a good reason. Nobody wants to waste their money, and asphalt shingles provide enough bang for your buck, with all things considered.

With minimal cons and many features/benefits, Asphalt shingles are the right choice when selecting your new roof.