Why Asphalt Shingles Are Your Best and Safest Choice

It’s no coincidence that asphalt-based shingles account for more than 75% of roofs installed by professional contractors. Fiberglass and laminated roofing shingles havebeen a familiar product for contractors and builders in the United States for more than 100 years. And over time, they’ve come to dominate the steep slope roofing market – in many areas accounting for 80% to 90% of all residential roofs.

In the last 30 years, shingle makers have introduced quite a few innovations. These include fiberglass reinforcing mats, self-sealing tabs, laminated construction, modified asphalt formulas and shingles made out of recycled materials. Today, there are many types of shingles to choose from.

Today’s competitive construction market has also spurred shingle makers to pull many low-end shingle brands off the market. At the same time, a tightening of codes and standards has enhanced the quality of the already time-proven products throughout the industry.

What is in a shingle?

In their simplest form, asphalt shingles contain an inner reinforcing mat, a coating of hard asphalt modified with mineral fillers, a top surfacing of mineral granules, and a back surface dusting of finely ground mineral dust. Each shingle also has a stripe of adhesive sealant across its center to hold shingle edges down when the wind blows. Shingle brands can differ in all sorts of ways. But for asphalt shingles, the most critical factors seem to be the strength of the reinforcing mat and the quality of the asphalt.

Preventing shingles from cracking required that the manufacturer pay attention to both the fiberglass mat and the asphalt. The asphalt blend has to be flexible, but not too soft, with just the right amount of filler. The mat, for its part, has to have adequate strength and be positioned near the center of the shingle so that it isn’t overstressed if the shingle bends up or down.

Most experts agree that with shingles, you get what you pay for. The less expensive shingles are more likely to suffer earlier deterioration, while the higher priced shingles will last longer. And although ‘20 year’ rated shingles have become less prevelant, some contractors still install a ’20-year’ shingle at a bargain price, as well as a middle-of-the-market ’25 year’ roof, and perhaps a premium line of shingles with a warranty term of 20 to 50 years, or even a ‘lifetime’ warranty. At Magnum Roofing, to maximize your investment, we recommend at least installing a ’30-year’ or longer rated shingle.

All quality residential roofing products- whether asphalt-based or not – should come with a class A fire rating and at least 60 mph wind uplift warranty. In high-wind areas, asphalt shingle warranties are available to cover gusts as high as 130 mph. Magnum Roofing installs all roof systems to withstand 130 mph winds and every roof is engineer inspected and certified prior to completion of the roof.

Pedal to the metal?

While most consumers equate metal roofing with corrugated tin shacks, there has been an increase in the use of metal shakes and shingles on residential buildings in some areas of the country. However, on steep slope applications, the product is still in its infancy and only accounts for about 6% of the average contractors’ annual material usage.

The primary disadvantage of metal is its price – as much as 70% higher per square (100 square feet) than a higher-end asphalt shingle. Installation can also be trickier, so hiring a contractor new to metal roofing can mean trouble down the road. Aesthetics can also be a concern. While there are attractive metal roof designs available, they may not be appropriate for every neighborhood. While some homeowners value individuality when it comes to roofing, few want their roof to stick out like a sore thumb in developments that are primarily roofed with laminated shingles. Also, while metal roofs resist fire well from the outside, high heat conductance to the inside on the building is still under study.

Clay and concrete tile roofs are more familiar to consumers, especially those living in Florida, California and the south west. The primary drawback of those products is their weight and cost. However, in some condos and developments these products are often required to give the neighborhood a uniform appearance.

Without question, natural slate is the most durable residential roofing material available today. Some churches and cathedrals in Europe have slate roofs that have lasted well over 150 years. But the extraordinary weight of these products is often too much for the average residential structure to handle. Slate is also expensive and requires true craftsman to ensure a quality installation. Payback on these roofs is also questionable. Its unlikely most homeowners will live under the same roof for several generations, and selling a home with a new slate roof after just 10-15 years may result in a poor return on investment.

Untreated wood shakes and shingles get a deservedly bad rap after a rash of firestorms on the West Coast several years ago. Even today’s pressure-treated, fire resistant products are still banned in some areas of the county. Whether they burn or not, it may be difficult for a consumer to sell a home with a wood roof because of the perceived fire-safety risks.

Plenty of options

The good news is there are still plenty of asphalt shingles on the market today that simulate the look of real slate and tile at a fraction of the cost and weight. Picking a shingle still involves some work, and it can still be a gamble. But if you choose a knowledgeable contractor and take reasonable care in selecting your shingles, the odds of getting a roof that lasts are in your favor. Give Magnum Roofing a call today to discuss your different roofing options.