Advantages of installing asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the number one choice for roofing in North America for good reason. They offer you a great versatility, weather resistance and much more. If your roofer has decided that now is the perfect time to replace your roof, you might want to consider the benefits of asphalt shingles for your home. After all, your roof is probably the most important part of your home. If your roof doesn’t work, everything underneath it is at risk. This is why you should consider choosing asphalt shingles over other materials for your new roof. Let’s have a look at some of the advantages of having asphalt shingles on your roof.

They are extremely versatile

Asphalt shingles can cover many different angles, shapes and forms. That means they work with almost any type of roof, from cross hip to Dutch gable. It doesn’t matter how large or complicated your roof is, you can rely on asphalt shingles to cover the entire roof without any complications. There are slope requirements, as there is a minimum slope for asphalt roof coatings. However, almost all homes in North America are suitable for asphalt shingles.

There is a great design variety

Asphalt shingles are available in a great range of rich architectural styles. Three-tab shingles are traditional and work with many house styles. Dimensional and premium shingles are also available in multiple styles. In fact, some can even mimic the look of other roofing materials, such as slate and cedar shingles. This way, you can get the design advantages of these materials without their drawbacks.

Amazing color options

The aesthetic of your home doesn’t need to be discarded when it comes to the roof. You can choose many different styles that will adapt to your likings and the style you’re aiming for in your house. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide range of colors. Whether you need to preserve your home’s curb appeal or enhance it before a sale, you need to be able to choose the right shade of roofing material that can work with the rest of your home. The wide selection of asphalt shingle colors available makes this possible. Other roofing siding materials don’t offer as many colors.

Cost-effective quality

Perhaps the main advantage of asphalt shingles over other roofing materials is that they still offer high performance at a lower cost. Asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing materials initially, yet they last long enough to provide the greatest long-term value. Those who need resistant roofs can find those features in asphalt shingles without having to spend too much money. In the long run, metal roof coatings, slate, tile and other roof coating options do not offer the same value for the cost of asphalt roof coatings.

They are energy efficient

You may not have thought of this as a benefit of asphalt roof coatings, but it is. When you purchase an asphalt roof, your roofer installs a complete system, including the waterproofing membrane, which can make your home more energy efficient.

You can install specially designed asphalt shingles in light, medium and dark shades that reflect more of the sun’s infrared radiation, thereby reducing the temperature of the roof surface. In large metropolitan areas, if most roofs are covered with these “cooling” shingles, the temperature in the city can drop a degree or two on hot, sunny days. This in turn can allow residents to use less energy to cool their homes.

Withstand high winds

High winds can be a huge problem for most people. You want your roof to stay put. If the wind lifts the shingles, water can get underneath and potentially cause a leaky roof. Innovations in asphalt shingle manufacturing mean it’s a better product today than it was years ago. Some manufacturers offer limited high wind warranties for even higher wind speeds. Have your roofer review the manufacturer’s application guidelines and warranties if high winds are a concern for you.

Class A Fire Rating

Some asphalt shingles have the highest fire rating, Class A.. When installed as part of a complete roof system, they offer superior protection against fire penetration and spread in the event of external fire hazards. This gives you a greater protection against fires, which could be especially damaging in hot weather.

Sound Protection

An underestimated advantage of a shingle roof is its ability to insulate sound. The composition of asphalt shingles in a complete roof covering system provides acoustic protection against external noise. Asphalt shingles can be significantly quieter than metal roofs, depending on the design, and much quieter in heavy rain and storms.

They are resistant to Algae

Algae is a growing problem in the roofing industry. Many roofs, especially wood-based roofs, allow algae growth, which looks like a black stain across some, or all, of your roof, and could cause some serious damage to your home. If this is a concern, look for shingles that have algae resistance. These shingles inhibit the growth of blue-green algae, protecting the color and appearance of your roof, while also protecting your roof from bigger damages.

Asphalt shingles are so easy to install

Asphalt shingles are easy to install, which helps keep their installation cost low. Of course, some roofing professionals can do a better job of installation than others. That said, it will usually be easier to find a roofer who can install your asphalt shingles than one who can handle any other type of roof.

They are actually not as heavy as you’d think

Shingles are not heavy enough to worry about the roof not being able to hold them. In fact, they are so light and easy to use that many people prefer them over other kinds of roof. Another advantage asphalt roofs have over metal is that the latter often need some structural changes on your house so that your home can actually hold on to the weight of this roof.

If they break, they are truly easy to repair

Just as every roofer can install roof sheathing shingles, every roofer can repair roof sheathing shingles. Often, when choosing a single material, from metal roof sheathing to shingles, it is difficult to find a roofing professional who can make the repairs. You may even have to work with the same company that installed your roof to get repairs for a metal roof, and this may not always be the thing you’d prefer to do. The benefit of asphalt roofing is that you can choose a new roofer for repairs at any time until you find the right roofer for you.

They can easily integrate with other roof features

If you’re thinking of installing a traditional chimney or even a beautiful skylight, then asphalt shingles might be the best thing for your home. They are so flexible and look good with pretty much anything you want to add to your house, so you won’t have to worry about adding new roof features or if your house would look weird. But this is a huge advantage that other kinds of roofing don’t actually have.

Asphalt shingles are recyclable

While in the past shingles went straight to the landfill, shingle waste can now be recycled. After your roofer removes your old shingles, they can send the debris to be reused in other products, including in a recycled asphalt used to make and repair roads. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, recycled shingles from roof coatings can improve the quality of a roadway. Old shingles can also be used to generate energy.

So, there are so many advantages to asphalt shingles that you might truly want to consider adding them to your house when you install a new roof. They can actually be considered as the future of roofing, so sooner or later you’ll discover that installing asphalt shingles might be the best decision you ever made about your home.