Asphalt shingles are the most popular choice in roof shingles. The reason? They work—as long as the house is ventilated properly.
From a purely economic perspective, the standard asphalt shingle is the best choice if you’re planning to be in your home for another five or 10 years. If you’re planning to stay in your home for another 20 years or longer, you may want to upgrade to a higher-end asphalt shingle.
Benefits of Asphalt Roof Shingles
This option for roofing is economical and easy, which are big benefits. Going with a lighter colour can help reflect heat, helping keep your home cool in the summer and minimizing UV damage to your roof. Asphalt shingles are also fairly low maintenance.
There are so many roofers that specialize in asphalt roofs that it can seem like anyone can do it and do it well. Unfortunately for homeowners who end up with leaks and water penetrating the building envelope, this is not the case. Work with someone who understands how all elements of the building envelope tie in together so your asphalt shingles are properly installed.
The downside with this product is that the shingles can be damaged by wind and hail. Calgary’s climate typically includes a couple of hailstorms in early or late summer, which can lead to the need for repairs or a new roof.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
There are two types of asphalt shingles. The first is fiberglass, made by taking a layer of glass fibre reinforcing mat and coating it with asphalt to make it waterproof. The second type is organic. To make the shingle, waste paper is coated with asphalt and then salt and ceramic granules are embedded on the top. Most people choose fiberglass shingles because they are very fire resistant and manufacturers typically provide a limited warranty of between 20 and 30 years.
Shingles can come in your basic builder’s grade or can also come in other classes, such as wind, storm, impact resistant, and others, all of which have their own benefits. Usually, most asphalt shingles will perform very well as long as they are installed properly.
Let Us Handle Your Roof Renovation
At The Exteriors Group, we take pride in doing a high-quality job on each and every project. We bring our building envelope expertise to your asphalt shingle roof renovation as well as experienced installers committed to ensuring you’re happy. Give us a call today!