Roofing Materials – The Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
by admin on Feb.14, 2012, under Extreme, Investing, Uncategorized, Weather
Roofing Materials – The Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are one of the most common types of roof shingles, and for good reason – they are widely available, relatively affordable, lightweight, and almost anyone can install them. You’ll never need to hire a highly paid specialists to install or perform maintenance on your roof if you decide to use asphalt shingles, as virtually all roofers should have adequate experience working with asphalt, whereas other roofing materials such as slate require the roofer to have specialized training in the cutting, handling, and laying of the shingles.
Not only is the material itself cheaper than most of the alternative types of shingles, since they’re so easy to install, and they’re lightweight, contractors do not have to incur expensive labor costs to get roofing projects done. This means you’ll not only be able to purchase the materials for less, the labor is significantly easier and is also therefore cheaper.
Although asphalt shingles are a relatively cheap alternative to other single types, there are varying grades to choose from, and it is important to consider the advantages of investing in a higher grade asphalt shingle to avoid the hassle of paying for unnecessary repairs in the future. Class IV asphalt shingles have been tested and proven to withstand hailstorms and heavy rainfall/snowfall repeatedly.
Contrary to popular misconception, asphalt shingles are not only made in gray, they are also available in a vast array of appealing colors. Modern asphalt shingles are manufactured by combining organically produced paper/felt composite with fiberglass in asphalt binder. While it’s possible to find older asphalt shingles that are not organically produced, the newer organic shingles are held to a higher manufacturing standard and have been shown to be more durable during severe weather. Choosing high-grade organic asphalt shingles for your upcoming roofing project could significantly add to the value of your home.
Fortunately, even if you’re not confident in your decision to purchase asphalt shingles, the majority of asphalt shingle manufacturers offer warranties that last for decades or even a lifetime. If you want to ensure the value of your home investment for long time to come, then you may want to request that your chosen roofers order specific asphalt shingles that are backed by a sufficient warranty.
While asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install and maintain, homeowners should not expect them to remain perfect for more than two years of time without some sort of inspection or maintenance. By having your roofing contractor inspect your rooftop at least once a year you can spot minor problems and prevent them from developing into major structural defects that will require expensive repair.
It is also important to note that asphalt shingles may be susceptible to damage if there are large temperature variances over the surface of the roof. This usually happens because of improper ventilation or insulation in the attic or crawl space of the home, causing one side of the roof to become extremely hot while the other is very cold. This problem can be easily prevented by having your roofing professionals create an insulated buffer between the underside of the roof and the attic/crawlspace.
