Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Advantages and Disadvantages

There&#;s a reason &#; or maybe a few &#; why 80% of homes in the United States have asphalt shingle roofs. Asphalt shingles are an excellent choice if you&#;re looking for an effective yet affordable new roof material. Further, they come in several colors to match the style that fits your home and can last for a long time when properly cared for.

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While the material is popular, is it the best option for your home? The answer depends on several factors, including your budget and desired aesthetic. To help you decide, learn the advantages and disadvantages of asphalt shingles here.

What Is Asphalt Roofing?

Asphalt roof shingles are asphalt-saturated bases made from organic materials or fiberglass. An asphalt base is made from a semi-solid form of petroleum that assists in its waterproof qualities.

Organic shingles are made from waste paper, salt coatings, asphalt and ceramic granules. In contrast, fiberglass shingles are made from glass fiber coated in asphalt and materials like mica, slate, stone or ceramic. Specific asphalt roof coatings also add to their waterproof and fireproof qualities.

The most common styles of asphalt shingles include:

• 3-tab: This type of asphalt shingle is appropriately named for its three tabs or cutouts that follow the lowest edge of the shingles. They&#;re the most common form of asphalt roofing shingles on the market.
• Dimensional: Also called laminate shingles, dimensional asphalt is often in a specific pattern or made to mimic the look of a natural wood-shake roof. While not as common as 3-tabs, they&#;re rising in popularity in some parts of the U.S. Dimensional shingles can provide excellent value with their higher wind rating.
• Premium: Luxury or premium shingles are generally much larger than traditional asphalt shingles. They&#;re often made to imitate the appearance of slate and can be more expensive than the other options.

Understanding the materials and features of asphalt roofs can help you decide on the roofing material for your home. No matter the style you choose, asphalt can be a highly effective roof material to keep your home warm and dry.

Advantages of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Asphalt shingle roofs are standard in U.S. homes for several reasons. Discover the advantages of this type of roof material below.

1. Low Cost

Many homeowners may feel uneasy about the price of installing a roof. However, when you opt for asphalt, you can appreciate a low-cost option that provides robust protection from the elements.

This material is generally the most affordable material for any roofing undertaking. One reason why is that asphalt shingles don&#;t require special tools or accessories to install, such as vent flashings, roof edges or wall terminations.

The cost of an asphalt roof could be anywhere from $3.50 to $5.50 per square foot for installation. When utilizing basic materials, prices can be as low as $0.80 per square foot.

2. Easy Installation 

Because asphalt is so light and easy to cut, shingles are relatively easy to install. Very little preparation is needed, and no special tools are required, meaning it won&#;t take as long to install asphalt shingles as it might if you use another roofing material. These shingles are easier to handle than heavier roofing, such as tile, or large pieces like metal roofing.

It&#;s always best to leave roof installation to professionals. Roof experts will assess your property and utilize the best methods to get the job done right. This expertise will save you costs later down the road and ensure your roof is installed safely and reasonably quickly.

3. Effective

If you&#;re like most homeowners, you likely believe your roof should serve its purpose, no matter the costs of materials. You&#;ll be happy to know asphalt shingles are a practical, functional roofing material that will provide a barrier to the weather and keep you and your family dry and safe.

Asphalt roof coatings are responsible for the shingles&#; waterproof and fireproof features, adding extra protection to your home in case of emergencies. What&#;s more, their mineral granules help to deflect roof-damaging UV rays.

4. Long-Lasting

So, how long do asphalt roofs last? While many asphalt roofs can last from 15 to 30 years, an asphalt roof&#;s life span depends on several factors.

For example, many labor warranties cover up to 40 mile-per-hour winds, though the warranty can be voided if a storm comes along with winds faster than that. Maintenance also makes a difference. If you neglect your roof and fail to repair any damage, you may have to pay for a new roof sooner than expected.

Working with a professional roofing company to install and care for your roof can help ensure it lasts as long as possible.

5. Rust-Free

Another benefit of asphalt shingles is that compared to other roofing materials like metal, they won&#;t rust over time. Metal roofing can become rusty and erode because it&#;s iron-based. When frequently exposed to rain and moisture, it can begin to rust and harm your home&#;s overall value.

Thankfully, asphalt shingles won&#;t corrode or deteriorate. Asphalt shingles maintain their appearance and improve your property&#;s curb appeal when you care for them correctly.

6. Comes in Many Styles

While you may picture a specific style when envisioning asphalt shingles, asphalt comes in various colors and style options. Brown, gray or black shingles are popular options, but you might opt for an asphalt roof in green, blue or red. The vast selection means you can choose the type that best fits your home&#;s style.

Asphalt shingles are visually flexible and, as stated, come in laminated, three-tab and premium versions. This variety means they can fit various home styles without looking out of place. Generally, they work well on homes with steeper slopes and are compatible with most roofs.

7. Easy to Replace Individual Shingles

High-quality asphalt roof shingles that are correctly installed can last quite some time, but they can also be affected by events that are out of our control. As mentioned, you never know when you&#;ll experience damaging winds.

However, if the elements impact just a few shingles, you can replace them. This isn&#;t the most straightforward task with many roofing materials, such as metal roofing. Further, the asphalt roof coating can also help protect it from the elements.

8. Offers a Traditional Style

You might look at asphalt shingles if you desire a more traditional look with your home. Homeowners often feel they provide a homier, traditional look compared to metal roofing and other modern options out there.

Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Asphalt shingle roofs provide several benefits for your home, though that&#;s not to say they don&#;t have their drawbacks. Be mindful of the following disadvantages:

1. Requires Regular Maintenance

When you maintain your asphalt roof, you can help extend its longevity. Periodic maintenance can take care of simple repairs and prevent any issues from becoming expensive later. 

Whether it&#;s once or twice a year, regular roof maintenance can help you get the most out of your asphalt shingle roof. These inspections can catch problems and prevent future leaks before they cause damage to your home. It&#;s also a chance to clear your roof and gutter of debris, which can shorten your asphalt roof&#;s life span.

2. Not as Durable as Other Options

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While asphalt shingle roofs are relatively long-lasting when installed and maintained correctly, they may not be as durable as other options. Due to asphalt shingles being lightweight, they can be susceptible to wind damage.

Strong winds may lift or tear the shingles, damaging shingles more easily than other roofing materials. Excess moisture and heat can shorten your asphalt roof&#;s life span and expose the structure to the elements, making it less protective. Excess moisture can also lead to moss growth, which might block water from running off your roof.

At the same time, extreme temperature fluctuations can cause the shingles to expand, contract and possibly crack. Keep in mind that your asphalt roof coating provides fire- and water-proof qualities, though calling for regular maintenance or scheduling an inspection after a storm can ensure no damage is done.

3. Mildew Growth Is Common

If you don&#;t adequately care for your asphalt shingle roof, mildew or mold can grow and quickly spread across your shingles, especially in areas of your roof that don&#;t experience full sun.

To avoid this, you should hire professional inspections and cleanings. While occasional cleaning can prevent mildew, doing it too often might damage the shingles or shorten their life span. As a result, it&#;s better to contact professional roofers for maintenance and advice.

4. Not the Best for Energy-Efficiency

Some roof materials offer more energy efficiency than others. While replacing older asphalt shingles with new ones can help your home become more energy-efficient, they won&#;t likely provide as many energy savings compared to some other materials, such as metal. Further, though some materials are more eco-friendly than others, shingles are made from fiberglass and petroleum, so they&#;re not the greenest choice.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Asphalt Roof Installation

There are so many benefits of hiring a professional roofer to take care of your asphalt roof installation and maintenance, including:

1. Safety

One of the most important reasons to consider hiring a professional team is to ensure your safety and the safety of your home. Expert roofers can prevent injury or harm caused by climbing ladders or inspecting or attempting to install your roof. Many ladder accidents occur yearly, so this job is best left to professionals.

2. Experience and Time

A professional construction team has experience in both theory and practical application to install, repair and inspect your roof. That means professionals are well-trained and have proven expertise through actual contracting services, giving them the ability to complete various jobs in a short amount of time.

No amount of personal research can equate to the skills and knowledge an expert roofer has gained over years of experience, so opting for professional roofing installation is always the best option. It&#;s a faster and safer choice.

3. Warranty and Insurance

At Coldstream Exteriors, our team members are insured to guarantee you&#;re not liable in case of any incident during a project. We also offer material and labor warranties on every installation project. Manufacturers train our expert construction team to use their equipment and products properly.

We use only the best quality materials and craftsmanship and are transparent with you every step of the way. When you work with us, your project manager will communicate all aspects of the project and suggest which options and methods are best for your property.

4. Quality Work

Our main goals as a certified roofing construction team are quality work, outstanding installation and exceptional customer service. While you may be unsure about the cost of an asphalt roof installation, we can ensure your roof is installed or repaired correctly the first time while keeping up with regular inspections to ensure it looks great and serves its purpose.

As a result, you get quality work that will last as expected.

5. Additional Services

Many professional roofing companies include additional services for your home, such as gutter installation and repairs. At Coldstream Exteriors, we&#;ll assess your roof&#;s area and pitch to determine the size and style of gutters that best fit your home. Homeowners look to us for our speedy installations, knowledge and offerings for budget-friendly gutter solutions, including copper, steel and aluminum systems.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Asphalt Roof Installation

There are so many benefits of hiring a professional roofer to take care of your asphalt roof installation and maintenance, including:

1. Safety

One of the most important reasons to consider hiring a professional team is to ensure your safety and the safety of your home. Expert roofers can prevent injury or harm caused by climbing ladders or inspecting or attempting to install your roof. Many ladder accidents occur yearly, so this job is best left to professionals.

2. Experience and Time

A professional construction team has experience in both theory and practical application to install, repair and inspect your roof. That means professionals are well-trained and have proven expertise through actual contracting services, giving them the ability to complete various jobs in a short amount of time.

No amount of personal research can equate to the skills and knowledge an expert roofer has gained over years of experience, so opting for professional roofing installation is always the best option. It&#;s a faster and safer choice.

3. Warranty and Insurance

At Coldstream Exteriors, our team members are insured to guarantee you&#;re not liable in case of any incident during a project. We also offer material and labor warranties on every installation project. Manufacturers train our expert construction team to use their equipment and products properly.

We use only the best quality materials and craftsmanship and are transparent with you every step of the way. When you work with us, your project manager will communicate all aspects of the project and suggest which options and methods are best for your property.

4. Quality Work

Our main goals as a certified roofing construction team are quality work, outstanding installation and exceptional customer service. While you may be unsure about the cost of an asphalt roof installation, we can ensure your roof is installed or repaired correctly the first time while keeping up with regular inspections to ensure it looks great and serves its purpose.

As a result, you get quality work that will last as expected.

5. Additional Services

Many professional roofing companies include additional services for your home, such as gutter installation and repairs. At Coldstream Exteriors, we&#;ll assess your roof&#;s area and pitch to determine the size and style of gutters that best fit your home. Homeowners look to us for our speedy installations, knowledge and offerings for budget-friendly gutter solutions, including copper, steel and aluminum systems.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Asphalt Shingle price.