Asphalt shingles are arguably one of the top choices of roofing material and the most common on the market today. Whether you want an asphalt shingle roof or want to know more to understand your roof, here’s everything you need to know about the basics of asphalt shingles.
What Are Asphalt Shingles Made of?
Asphalt is one part of the equation. However, you might not know that these shingles are actually asphalt wrapped around fiberglass and then sprinkled with stone granules. This gives you the hardy material that you rely on to keep your home safe.
What Are the Advantages of Choosing Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are popular because they’re affordable. Given that you may be on a budget while you’re managing all the other costs of homeownership, it makes sense to want to go with the most affordable option. These shingles are also fairly fire-resistant and don’t require much effort to repair if any of them are broken. They’re overall less demanding in comparison to other roofing materials such as, say, wood shake.
What Are the Downsides of Asphalt Shingles?
In comparison to metal or slate roofing materials, asphalt shingles might have a maximum lifespan of only about 30 years. Many other types of roofing materials last much longer than asphalt shingles do, which means you may end up needing to replace your roof at some point during your lifetime. Also, while asphalt shingles are fire-resistant, they are vulnerable to UV rays and harsh temperatures as well as heavy winds. You’ll have to stay on top of roofing inspections and find ways to deal with environmental threats that you may not have to worry about if you use other roofing materials.
Are There Different Types of Asphalt Shingles?
In your neighborhood you’ll likely see basic asphalt shingle patterns where there is one square shingle on top of the other. Are these the only type of asphalt shingles, or could you be more stylish with your choice of asphalt roofing materials? While selection will vary, your local roofer might carry dimensional shingles or shingles designed to look like other roofing materials that look nicer to you in terms of aesthetics.
Asphalt shingles are inexpensive, protect your home, and are easy to maintain. At the same time, they don’t last as long as other roofing materials and are still vulnerable to high winds and sun damage. Consider the above when you’re looking into roofing materials to make sure that asphalt shingles are the best fit for your needs. If you live in Wilmington, NC or a surrounding area and need asphalt shingle roofing services, make your first call to RoofVantage.
