Replacing Your Roof Shingles

Roofing shingles help to protect your home from the forces of nature. The area under the roof will suffer water damage, if the shingles are worn and have not been replaced. Another benefit of the roofing shingle is to keep the costs of heating or cooling a room less costly.

There are two types of asphalt shingles on the market; they are organic asphalt shingles or fiberglass asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are used on most houses in the US and Canada, and on some other homes around the world because of it being widely available, affordable, economical, and easy to install. Unlike other roof coverings, asphalt has a relatively long life, which makes it very cost-effective.

The base mat of a fiberglass shingle is woven fiberglass. An asphalt coating that is waterproof then covers it. Ceramic granules top the asphalt coating layer to help protect the surface from harmful UV rays. The fiberglass mat is much lighter than its organic counterpart. This results in a lighter, thinner, roofing material that has a higher fire rating than the others. The asphalt shingles usually carry a longer warranty, which is also one of the reasons why fiberglass asphalt shingles are extremely popular.

Organic mats are made of shingles that are recycled felt. They are coated with an adhesive, and then embedded with ceramic granules. On these mats, the ceramic granules are more abundant; therefore, the shingles are heavier and cost more to purchase. Organic shingles may be more flexible, however, they tend to wear out faster by warping, and general wear and tear. The organic shingles are not very environmentally friendly and have higher asphalt content.

The asphalt shingles are manufactured as a three-tab shingle or an architectural shingle. The three-tab shingle has a cutout along the lower edge to help define how to lay the shingle properly. The architectural shingle is plain as far as the cutout goes, however, they do have a dimensional contoured look that helps to make them so appealing. The architectural shingle is not recommended for low-sloping roofs because of its susceptibility to wind driven rain.

Whether you choose a fiberglass or an organic shingle for your next roofing project, remember that there are many colors for you to choose as your roofing material. This means that you will be able to get a color that can help to accentuate your home. When choosing an asphalt shingle, remember that the lighter the color, there will be less heat penetrating your attic rooms, which will help to eliminate your cooling costs during the summer months.