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Roofing Materials - Shingles and Shakes

Asphalt (Composition) Shingles

Asphalt shingles have been around more than 100 years and are the most common roof covering material used in the United States. In fact, around 75% of residential homes are covered in asphalt shingles in the U.S.

Asphalt Shingle Roof

Dimensional Shingle Roof

Asphalt shingles are cheaper than most other alternative roofing materials and are readily available in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. Recycled material asphalt shingles can even be purchased if you would like to make your home more environmentally friendly.

Asphalt shingles are durable, yet easy to repair. When coming across a loose or missing shingle, simply bend up the shingle above it. Then remove the nails holding the loose or damaged shingle, and slide the scraps out. Slide and nail the new shingle in, then glue the raised shingles back down.

Although asphalt shingles have a shorter lifespan than alternative, more expensive materials their lower cost makes them attractive. They typically last 20 to 40 years and usually offer a 20, 25, 30, 35 or 40 year factory warranty depending upon the specific product purchased. Keep in mind that the manufacturer warranty may require that the roof is installed by a licensed and/or certified roofer as the most common problems and maintenance issues occur when the installation did not include adequate ventilation and/or flashing.

Asphalt shingles can be layed over the top of an existing shingle roof if the initial roof is a single layer and in good condition. An “overlay” roof will typically not last as long as a completely new roof.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

There are two types of asphalt shingles that use different base materials; organic felt, and fiberglass. Both types have their base in between two layers of stabilized asphalt. Their top sides are coated with mineral granules to help resist weathering while their bottom sides have a heat activated self seal strip that seals the shingle to layer below to combat wind damage. These materials can be installed on most roof pitches and types.

Organic shingles were the first type of asphalt shingle offered but are much less commonly used today. They have a base of organic felt, which is saturated in liquid asphalt. They are more resistant to tearing during installation than fiberglass mat shingles. Unfortunately, these shingles are more prone to three aging problems than fiberglass shingles which may take away from the appearance of your roof. As the base organic felt dries the shingle may; bow up in the center while the edges stay flat(clawing), the edges of the tabs may curl up(curling), or the middle edge of the shingle may raise up with the outside edges stay flat (fish mouthing).

The more commonly used fiberglass based shingles are lighter, more flexible, and cheaper. They are less resistant to tearing than organic felt, so precaution is needed during installation. Once installed, fiberglass mat shingles are just as durable as organic felt shingles. While clawing, curling, and fish mouthing can occur on fiberglass based shingles it is less likely.

Pros: Durable, easy to repair, easily available, variety of sizes styles and colors, material expense, works on most roof types and pitches

Cons: Shorter life expectancy

Some photos provided by Certainteed.