Asphalt shingles have been one of the most popular roofing materials in the US for decades, and we love using them to give our customers’ homes a durable and stylish refresh. Despite asphalt shingles being a popular roof choice, we find that many of our customers aren’t familiar with the material and come to us with a lot of questions. Today we are going to do a deep dive on asphalt shingles so you can decide if they are the right material for your upcoming roofing project.
What are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles were originally developed in the early 1900s as an alternative to cedar shingles. At this time asphalt shingles were similar to asphalt roll roofing, where a felt or cloth roll was coated in asphalt. Soon, manufacturers began to add slate granules for texture and durability. As the years went by and roofing technology continued to advance, there are now lots of asphalt shingle options to suit your needs. Below we have outlined the most popular styles of asphalt shingles available today.
Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles
Three tab shingles are made from a fiberglass material and coated with asphalt. These materials are put onto a roll, and cut into 3 equal tabs that offer a clean and uniform finish. These are the most affordable asphalt shingle option, but they can be less durable than some of our other favorite options.
Architectural Asphalt Shingles
Architectural shingles were developed after three-tab shingles, and expanded on the design to increase durability and style. Architectural shingles are made with multiple layers of asphalt coated fiberglass that are laminated together, and cut together differently for a more stylistic finish. They are an incredibly durable option, and often come with some great warranty options.
Designer Asphalt Shingles
Designer shingles don’t differ from architectural shingles in their construction, but offer unique color and style options to make your home pop. Many designer shingles will resemble cedar or slate shingles, which is a great option for homeowners who love the style of these older roofing materials, but want the durability of asphalt shingles.
What Asphalt Shingle Brand Should I Use?
There are lots of shingle brands out there, and at E&E Contracting we choose to work with GAF Shingles. GAF has been innovating the asphalt shingle industry for over 100 years, and in our experience their asphalt shingles provide homeowners with the best durability and style in the industry. GAF’s innovation doesn’t just stop at the shingle; they also manufacture top class leak barriers, roof deck protection, and ventilation and attic vents. We love using all of these products to create a roof that is built to brave whatever nature has in store for your home.
How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last?
This is the most common question we get about asphalt shingles, but there is no set expiration date for asphalt shingles. Home location, climate, exposure to weather and sun, and other factors can cause variations in the durability of the material. That being said, most asphalt shingle brands come with a warranty that guarantees their product for a certain number of years.
GAF’s warranty is one of the best in the industry, offering a limited lifetime warranty on their shingles. They also have a variety of other warranties associated with their shingles, including algae, a 130 mph wind warranty, and warranties that cover their leak barriers and other products.
If you are unsure if your roof needs new shingles, we recommend a roofing inspection, and you can also check out some signs that you may need a new roof.
How Much Do Asphalt Shingles Cost?
We’ve talked a lot about the durability of asphalt shingles, but how much do they cost? Surprisingly, asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing material options out there. According to Home Guide, homeowners can expect to pay between $80-$250 per square foot on their next roofing project.
This price can be affected by the shingle brand and style you choose, the contractor, and the size/intricacy of your roof.
Are you ready to take on an asphalt shingle roofing project? The team at E&E Contracting would love to speak with you, contact us today for a complimentary quote!