How Do Asphalt Shingles Work?

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Learn More About Asphalt Shingles

There are many varieties of roofing materials in the market today that can range in how they look with different protective benefits. Perhaps the most used roofing materials are asphalt shingles as they are the most basic and cheapest out there. Asphalt shingles are the standard in basic roof protection and can even be found in local hardware stores for easy replacement or localized maintenance. Like with any roofing material, there are advantages and disadvantages with asphalt shingles so make sure that you get the material that best aligns with your needs versus wants. Ultimately, a roofing company will be the best consultant to discuss materials that best fit with your roof’s specifications. Until then here is some general information about asphalt shingles that may be of use to you in the decision-making process.

How long do asphalt shingles last?

Asphalt shingles are known to last around 15-25 years yet the lifespan will be dependent on climate/weather patterns and maintenance.

What are the longest lasting roof shingles?

The longest-lasting roofing shingles on the market are considered laminated shingles that have a lifetime warranty and are either categorized as “luxury” shingles (which can mimic slate or shakes,) or dimensional (which have the standard architectural shingle look and pattern.) 

Are there different grades of asphalt shingles?

Asphalt shingles come in two different varieties from standard 3-tab varieties to dimensional aka architectural asphalt shingles. 3-tab shingles have 1 layer of material and have two separations in the long strip of the material to make it look like there are three shingles. 

What is the difference between architectural shingles and asphalt shingles?

The difference between architectural shingles and asphalt shingles are thickness, variety, longevity, and strength. Essentially architectural shingles come with additional layers of material that can withstand more protection. What’s more, they come in a variety of shapes and colors. While asphalt shingles can last 15-25 years architectural shingles can last about 30 years.

asphalt tile roof texture background

What are the best asphalt shingles?

  • GAF Marquis WeatherMax® 
  • CertainTeed XT™ 25
  • Owens Corning Supreme® AR
  • Tamko Heritage® Vintage

Are asphalt shingles waterproof?

Essentially, the asphalt coat that contains mineral fillers layer over the base layer of a fiberglass reinforcing mat is what will make the shingle shed water. 

Are asphalt shingles energy efficient?

Although asphalt shingles are mostly used because of their ease of installation and low cost they are poor at reflecting heat and actually very good at absorbing it. Even with lighter colors that are better at not absorbing heat, it will be something to consider.

Are asphalt shingles impact resistant?

Although asphalt shingles can hold fairly well to minor impacts they are not as thick as other materials and will become damaged by harsh winds or hail impacts. Ultimately thicker materials made with different compositions will react better to more powerful impacts. There are, however, impact-resistant shingles in the market today which have been scientifically experimented on to develop a class system of protection where class 4 is the highest level. These shingles can be made of aluminum, resin, plastic, and copper and can withstand different speeds of high winds and varying thickness of hail dependent on their class status.  

Can you Reshingle over old shingles?

Depending on the municipality of where you live you can potentially have two or even three layers of roofing materials (typically only if the bottom layer is asphalt shingles) without tear-offs being necessary. Of course, this will largely depend on local building codes so make sure to check before committing to plans. The second layer doesn’t have to be asphalt and can be other roofing materials options.

Are asphalt shingles recyclable?

The asphalt in asphalt shingles can be recycled away from the stream of waste and transformed into asphalt pavements that are used for highways and streets. Asphalt shingles are not biodegradable so in order to not have them waste in a landfill consider looking up shingle recyclers online that show resources and areas where you can recycle your asphalt shingles.

Contact A Professional Roofing Company 

For more information about asphalt shingles make sure to get in touch with your local roofing company. A roof inspection will be conducted by expert roofers that have an eye for any issues that need to be tackled with roofing services that are necessary to maintain the roof’s durability. Ultimately, it’s best to get any problem areas fixed before applying new materials to your roofs so an inspection is key. When you’re hoping to see what materials can be applied to your new roof or replacement you can more readily get constructive feedback from a qualified roofer than other sources. If you’re looking for an easy to install and cost-friendly roofing material that will provide basic protection for your property, choose asphalt shingles today! 

If you’re interested in asphalt shingles in Osage Beach and Lake Ozark, MO call (573) 789-8367 with Thompson Roofing & Reconstruction!