Roof shingles are easy to install, affordable, and (for those reasons) popular. About 75 percent of the entire roofing market is asphalt roof shingle and that number is growing.
Considerations with Asphalt Roof Shingles
As you consider various roofing materials, keep the following tips in mind:
- Know your priorities. Determine your most important home improvement purchases. If you would rather spend more money and time on landscaping or a custom kitchen than on maintaining a roof, then asphalt shingle roof materials can offer the ease of maintenance you’re seeking, as well as the money savings you need for other home projects.
- Choose quality. There are several levels of quality depending on the materials composing the asphalt shingles. The base material might be recycled paper, wood, or fiberglass. They are coated with asphalt, then laminated with other minerals to give them an interesting look. Ask an expert to find the best quality you can afford.
- Decide on a look. The latest designs in asphalt shingle roofs can be fashioned to give the appearance of rustic shake or expensive slate. Depending on your budget and tastes, it’s likely that asphalt can give you any look you want.
- Yield to practicality. While basic asphalt shingle roofs are not the fanciest option, they are waterproof and built to last 15 to 40 years, depending on the quality. Maintenance is low and they do not require special materials around roof edges, chimneys, or vents.
- Recognize the few faults. The worst offender for asphalt shingles is heavy wind. Some shingles could be blown off; however, probably no more than wood or slate shingles if they have been installed correctly. Asphalt roof shingles do not withstand fire as well as metal or slate roofs but they do fare much better than wood roofs.
