- Lower Costs - Asphalt shingles are manufactured in high volumes, so they are relatively inexpensive to produce. Installation is also relatively inexpensive compared to other materials. Lightweight asphalt shingles are the easiest type of roofing material to install and will usually cost less than $1 per square foot.
- Maintenance - Asphalt roof shingles can be manufactured to look like natural materials such as cedar shakes, tile, or wood, but unlike these materials they require very little maintenance to maintain their good looks. If they should become damaged, asphalt shingles can be easily repaired.
- Appearance - The look is a big advantage of asphalt roof shingles. Since they come in a wide variety of shapes, textures, and colors, you will have no trouble finding a type that will look great on your home. You can have a roof that looks like more expensive cedar shakes, slate, tile, or wood with all the advantages and performance benefits of asphalt shingles.
- Standard three tab composition shingles have been installed on single family residences since the early 1900's. Three tab asphalt shingles differ mainly in color and come with 25- to 30-year warranty coverage. We offer shingles from GAF - America's largest roofing manufacturer. Their Marquis WeatherMax shingles are designed for homeowners who demand superior performance, classic detailing, and a traditional appeal in a basic 3-tab shingle. The GAF Royal Sovereign® line of shingles combine a simple, timeless beauty with GAF's Advanced Protection™ technology — making it our most popular 3-tab shingle.
- Architectural shingles are heavier weight than the 3 tab. Their three-dimensional appearance can provide a major aesthetic upgrade for your home. Made to simulate the look of cedar wood shakes or even slate shingles, they are composed of a heavy fiber glass mat base and ceramic-coated mineral granules tightly embedded in water-resistant asphalt.
- These dimensional architectural shingles were developed in the 70's for the high-end home market. Homeowner's were looking for a shingle product to help raise the curb appeal and value of their homes. The development of the architectural shingle with the appearance of cedar and the performance of asphalt was the answer. The layered construction of the architectural shingle gives it a similar look and texture to cedar shakes.
- Architectural shingles offer better performance because of their heavier construction. They are less likely to warp and have better wind resistance (80 mph to 120 mph) than traditional 3 tab shingles. Though dimensional shingles cost only 20% more than the traditional type, they are a better value as they offer warranties from 20 to 30 years.
- Designer shingles are considered as super heavyweights due to their multi-layered construction. They can weigh as much as 450 lbs. per square! That is a huge difference when compared to the lighter 3 tab shingle at 150 lbs. per square. Designer shingles are also built to withstand winds in excess of 110 mph and have lifetime limited warranties instead of 20 - 30 year warranties as with most standard and architectural shingles.
- These shingles are composed of multiple layers firmly laminated together in a special tough asphaltic cement. This type of shingle can be used on roofs with slopes greater than 2" per foot. Low slope applications (2" to 4" per foot) require additional underlayment to prevent leakage. In our southern New England area where icing along the eaves can cause a backup of water, they must have a waterproofing underlayment such as the CertainTeed WinterGuard™ placed under the shingles.
Most of these shingles have the additional attribute of resisting the growth of algae (commonly called fungus), especially in damp regions. This design feature helps prevent the black streaking commonly seen on shingles in areas with high humidity and rainfall totals.