There are a variety of roofing materials on the market, but we can’t deny asphalt shingle roofing is a tried-and-true staple of the roofing industry. There are many reasons this is the case, and we’ll enumerate them below. Read on to learn the many benefits of asphalt roofing shingles!
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
What do you imagine when you hear the phrase “asphalt roof shingles”? You likely think of a set of dark, oblong pieces that cover your roof’s surface area. You would be correct about the general shape and some features, but that isn’t all there is to asphalt shingles.
Shingles are rectangular, flat pieces of composite, asphalt, and other roofing materials. They’re generally applied from the roof’s base up and overlap each other to cover the roof fully. They can come in a wide variety of colors and textures. While you might be used to the standard grayish-black gravely textures, there are far more on the market, including blues, greens, and even reds. Asphalt shingles are also a cost-efficient way to mimic wood, tile, or slate. This can significantly enhance your home’s property value.
First Use of Asphalt Shingles
Before asphalt was the popular option, people used wood shingles for their roofing. Unfortunately, these shingles posed a major fire hazard, making a new material necessary. In 1901, Henry M. Reynolds invented asphalt shingles in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The invention was the result of combined experimentation to find new roofing materials and manipulate asphalt.
Originally, manufacturers cut asphalt shingles into strips from long rolls, later developing the technique to use the multitab method. By 1939, manufacturers were producing over 10 million shingle squares in the US alone. Since then, manufacturers have increased asphalt’s strength, quality, and weather resistance to make it the reliable roofing material we know today.
The Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
Now that we’ve defined asphalt shingles and given you a short history, it’s time to enumerate the benefits you’ll take advantage of when choosing that material for your roof. Learn the many benefits of asphalt roofing shingles below.
Energy Savings
Like many materials on the market, asphalt roofing is incredibly energy efficient. When you purchase an asphalt roof and get it installed with a certified roofer, they install the entire roofing system, including the underlayment. This underlayment makes it hard for inclement weather to reach the inside of your home. Over time, this layer will wear down, but you can schedule replacements to ensure continued energy efficiency in your home.
Additionally, you can customize your roof using tones that accommodate your area’s weather. For instance, lighter tones are perfect for hot climates since they reflect sunlight, keeping your home cooler. Similarly, darker tones are perfect for colder climates, as they retain heat better. This will allow you to give your HVAC system a break while you enjoy a comfortable home.
Cost Efficiency
Asphalt shingles are popular for several reasons, but most importantly, they are low-cost, high-performance materials. Metal, clay, and slate roofing cost you more than you might like, but asphalt shingles are some of the most value-friendly on the market. Furthermore, they last a long time and can even offer you the stellar heat, water, wind, and fire resistance that you find in high-performing shingles without the astronomical costs.
Easy Repair
A roofer can install any roof, but what about the time they spend doing so and the associated labor costs? Asphalt roofing shingles are the simplest to install, and you won’t have difficulty finding certified roofers to do the job for you. Therefore, asphalt shingle roofing can provide you with everything you need to repair or replace your shingles at a low cost.
Easy Integration With Other Roofing Features
Whether you’re adding gutter guards or a new chimney, asphalt shingles can accommodate your roofing projects. Compared to other forms of shingles, asphalt’s versatility is unmatched. Asphalt shingles allow you to easily add new features to your roof, which is perfect if you plan to do some home remodeling projects in the future.
Recyclability
Shingles used to go straight to the landfill, but luckily, we live in an increasingly green society. Most shingles—including asphalt shingles—are now recyclable, and you can reuse them in several ways. For example, you can use recycled asphalt to pave and repair roads. This can also go the other way around: you can buy asphalt shingles made from old pavement. In fact, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, using recycled asphalt shingles will improve your roof’s quality.
Sterling Reputation
Asphalt shingles have been around for ages, so their quality is time-tested and approved. North American buyers in particular have used asphalt roofs for the better part of the century. Even before then, scientists demonstrated the uses of asphalt on roads and investigated other applications for the popular material. Plus, asphalt shingles are already up to par with building codes. Over the past century, manufacturers have had more than enough time to refine the material and offer homeowners the best features and functions with asphalt shingles.
Easy Installation
Because of how simple asphalt shingles are, you can expect full installation to occur over a matter of days rather than weeks. Of course, this also depends on the reputation and experience of the roofer you work with and the time of year. Nevertheless, it takes far less time than you would expect to install your roof if you select asphalt shingles as the material.
Sound Proofing
Have you ever tried to sit in your living room and watch TV, only to have loud sounds from outside interrupt and disturb you? People mainly focus on windows and walls to achieve soundproofing. And while insulated windows and walls are certainly stellar contributions to your home, your roof also impacts how much sound filters inside. If your roofers don’t seal the underlayment properly or you choose inadequate roofing materials, you could experience more noise than necessary in your home. With easy installation and guaranteed quality, asphalt shingles won’t let noise be a major problem.
If you want to install asphalt shingles or any other kind of roofing, consider Pro Home Services. We have several certified roofers just waiting to give you a helping hand. These professionals will repair or install every part of your roof, so don’t wait. Instead, check out what we have to offer you today!
