One of the most common roofing materials today is asphalt shingles. It is also one of the best known by homeowners as well as San Marcos roofing companies. When homeowners consider a new roof, they usually ask about asphalt roof shingles as one of the first materials they are considering. There are many advantages to using them, and some cons to consider as well.
What are Asphalt Roof Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are made with an asphalt-saturated base. It consists of some type of organic material or fiberglass. This is covered with asphalt material on one or both sides. The top side of this shingle will be covered with a mixture of ceramic, mica, quartz, slate, stone, or schist. The back of this shingle will be covered with talc or sand so the shingles don’t stick together. One of the most popular types of asphalt shingle is called a three-tab shingle. This is in reference to how the shingle is installed and cut.
Advantages of Asphalt Shingles
Affordable – Asphalt shingles often provide the most cost-effective option for a new roof. This makes them very popular with many homeowners. When asphalt shingles are installed correctly by professional roofers, they can last as long as three decades on a house.
Easy Installation – Since asphalt shingles are so easy to install, a roofing contractor can put them on a home much more quickly than other types of roofing materials. These shingles are also lightweight. This means they can be installed on a roof without the need to provide any additional structural support. They require no significant preparation prior to being installed and only regular roofing tools are needed to install them.
Many Style Options – No matter what type of house is involved, a homeowner will be able to choose an asphalt shingle to fit their style. Should someone have a traditional or contemporary house, there is an asphalt shingle that will match. There are also different versions such as laminated, premium and more.
Colors and Patterns – Asphalt shingles come in many different colors such as tan, browns, gray, blue, red, green, and more. They also come in many different patterns. This is a way for a homeowner to have their house have a completely different appearance from their neighbor’s home, and still use an affordable shingle.
Other Things to Know About Asphalt Shingles
Maintenance – Asphalt roofs will require some periodic maintenance. This usually involves trying to keep debris off the roof. It’s also important to make certain flashing doesn’t permit any water to get into them. Having a roofing company inspect your roof for loose or missing shingles after severe weather is also a good idea. Some roofing companies even offer free inspections.
Insulation Value – Asphalt shingles have a lower insulation value than some others. Talk to your roofing company to find out if your attic ventilation and insulation will work well with your asphalt shingles.
Recycling – Asphalt shingles are fiberglass and have petroleum bases. In order to keep these materials out of the environment, some services offer recycling options for asphalt shingles. In addition, some organic options are now available that have lower concentrations of fiberglass and more asphalt.
When a homeowner is considering a new roof for their home, they should consider all of their options. Asphalt shingles are a great choice for many reasons. No matter what a homeowner chooses, it is important they find out all they can about their roofing material. If you’d like more information about asphalt shingles or another roofing material, contact Divided Sky Roofing & Solar, a roofing company in San Marcos, to speak to an expert roofer.
