What Makes a Good Asphalt Shingle Roofing System?

As you plan out your roof replacement, you might consider several materials for your project, including asphalt shingles. Out of all the materials available in the market, asphalt is undoubtedly one of the most common in roofing. It’s made for nearly any kind of home and isn’t really expensive to install, so long as it’s done by trusted roofing and gutter installation contractors. 

You’re also well-aware of how a new roof can affect your home’s style and architecture apart from its effectiveness in keeping you and your family safe and secure. While there are several types of materials you can invest in to achieve the right balance between beauty and performance, in this post, we’ll talk about asphalt shingles and highlight some of the material’s benefits. 

Only a well-built asphalt shingle roof effectively protects a home through a series of roof components that work together to form a complete system and help increase its performance. Reputable roofing and attic insulation expert Shine Construction Inc. shares more:

A Brief History

Asphalt shingle technology has come a long way since becoming a popular and reliable choice for homeowners. Over a century ago, the first asphalt shingles were simply reinforced by cotton rag, wood pulp and paper. By the 1970’s, fiberglass was introduced as a stronger, more durable and more fire-resistant reinforcement material and was coated with crushed oyster shells or slate. They were typically pre-fabricated and single-cut as a material.

Today, asphalt shingles come in many formats, from standard laminated shingles of multiple thicknesses to the newer, open-tab designer shingles. Modern technology has led to several shingle design innovations, including decorative architectural styles that can transform a roof to give it a high-end look. Asphalts shingles also come in a variety of colors to match the unique design of any home!

The Key Components

You can count on asphalt shingles to boost your home’s visual appeal, but they’re highly popular for their durability, reliability and affordability as well. With their water-shedding surface and unmatched beauty, you’ll be sure to set your home apart from everyone else in the neighborhood. And with our services, you’ll only need minimal effort to maintain your roofs multilayer protection. This is all possible through its key components, which are:

1. Underlayment – This provides a layer of protection between the wood deck and the shingles. This layer of sheathing also acts as a secondary water barrier apart from the asphalt shingles.

2. Ventilation – Along with the underlayment, installing a proper and well-balanced ventilation system is needed in your attic. This allows heat and moisture to escape, as well as prevent ice damming. It also prevents premature shingle deterioration by keeping attic temperatures closer to outdoor temperatures.

3. Hip and Ridge Products – These components are installed by roofing contractors to complement the asphalt shingles and provide the finishing aesthetic of the roof.

4. Starter Strip Products – These products are vital in proper roofing installation and provide the first row of sealant needed to help prevent shingle blow-offs and water from penetrating through your roof.

5. Ice and Water Barriers – The barriers help protect the vulnerable parts of your roofing system such as valleys and other roof protrusions. If this isn’t installed properly, ice can easily accumulate during winter and end up damaging your roofing structure.

These roofing system components work together to provide the right amount of beauty, performance and reliability in various styles and colors that gives asphalt shingles an edge over other roofing materials.

Why Consider Asphalt Roofing Shingles?

Modern technology has allowed manufacturers to produce sturdier and more reliable asphalt roofing systems. This has resulted in its popularity over the years, especially with today’s asphalt shingles being stronger and more flexible, thanks to the latest polymers added to its composition. Not only is it a reliable water-shedding surface material, you can make use of asphalt shingles to create a unique style that will define your home’s architecture! 

Other benefits include:

Unmatched Affordability. Since asphalt shingles only require minimal maintenance, you’ll spend significantly less than when you maintain materials such as tile, wood, cedar, slate and metal. Combined with the efficient, high-volume production and relatively low application cost of asphalt shingles, you get a much better value compared to other roofing materials, especially in terms of comparable life expectancy.

When properly installed, an asphalt roof will be extremely resistant to moisture damage, wind tear-off, uplift and nearly any other natural hazard. Some roofing contractors even offer shingle products that have algae-resistant properties!

High Durability and Reliability. Not only are asphalt shingles well-known to withstand harsh weather hazards, they’re also highly resistant to fire. Of course, this depends on the fire rating it’s classified in; there are several asphalt shingle products that have fire ratings, ranging from class A to C. These fire ratings are recognized nationally and tested by various independent agencies. The material’s strength and flexibility also supports most modern roof designs, which makes it easy to install by roofing contractors.

Better Energy-Efficiency. If on a summer day you think that a darker-colored roof will increase your energy consumption than a lighter-colored one, then this isn’t the case with asphalt shingles. In fact, many asphalt roof systems, including shingles, built-up roofs and modified bitumen, meet ENERGY STAR® roof specifications, which can lead to big cost savings over time. 

Along with an energy-efficient asphalt shingle roofing system, you also won’t need to worry about keeping your home’s interiors within comfortable temperatures if your attic already has an adequate amount of insulation and ventilation installed. Just make sure you consult with our roofing and gutter installation services so you can find the right shingle color for your home.

More Sustainability. Not all homeowners are aware of the fact that asphalt shingles are recyclable; in fact, when shingles are torn off of an existing roof system, they can be taken to a recycling center instead of a landfill. This is where they’re made into materials for paving projects such as driveways, public roads and parking lots. 

Whether it’s an asphalt shingle roofing replacement or attic insulation, don’t hesitate to hire Shine Construction Inc. to get the job done! Call us today at (508) 276-6644 or through our convenient contact form online.