Home | Our Blog | Asphalt Shingles Buyer's Guide
Reviewed by Tomas Kalkys. President.
Qualifications: More than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial exterior remodeling.
Founding farther of Legacy Service.
Written by LegacyUSA Team
posted on Aug 24, 2020
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There’s a reason why asphalt shingles, also known as composition shingles, are considered the most popular roofing type in the United States. In fact, they’re currently used for replacements and new installations on about 70% of residential, sloped roof homes. Not only are they designed to protect your house for decades, but they are also available in a countless number of colors and styles.
From maintaining the indoor climate to protecting you and your family from rain, snow, wind, and hail damage, roofs have an incredible impact on your home. This is why you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the best type, brand, and more for you.
Not a real zip code.
That’s why we’ve created this asphalt shingle roofs buyer’s guide. It will help people like you compare the types, pros and cons, and costs so that you can match your new roof to your tastes and preferences. At Legacy Service, we provide home exterior services of all kinds, from roofing and siding installation to windows and gutters replacement. If you’re looking for any of those services, please feel free to give us a call at 215-798-9790 at any time to schedule a free consultation.
Continue reading this buyer’s guide to learn more about the different types of asphalt shingles to help you determine which type you should choose.
Asphalt shingles have been used on American homes for over a century. They’re known for their durability, affordability, and attractiveness. The most common type that homeowners will have installed include fiberglass and organic mat shingles. These will have either a fiberglass-based substrate or mat or an asphalt-saturated organic substrate that’s made from cellulose fiber like wood or paper.
So, why are asphalt shingles so popular?
For starters, asphalt is the most readily available of all the roofing types, and most manufacturers will design them and contractors will install them for homeowners in North America. That’s not all. They’re highly affordable, yet still durable, lasting 15-25 years in most cases. Whether you’re looking for a specific color or you’d like to browse through numerous options, you’ll be able to with all of the asphalt shingles colors and styles. In a nutshell, asphalt shingle styles are easily available and offer high value when installed by an asphalt shingle company.
If you’re interested in receiving an asphalt shingles installation or replacement service, get started by contacting your local contractor. At Legacy Service, we’ll provide you with a free consultation if you’re looking to install a new roof or replace your existing roof.
Let’s take a look at the different types of asphalt shingle construction:
When you choose to install asphalt shingles on your roof, your decisions won’t end right away. From there, you’ll have to decide between the design options, the different types of asphalt shingle construction, and the color choices.
Fiberglass and organic mat asphalt shingles are the most common types that homeowners will have installed. The characteristics of fiberglass include its high durability and strength, longer warranties, thinner material and lighter weight, and the fact that it has a higher fire rating than organic types. On the other hand, organic mat can have 40% more asphalt content than fiberglass. This means they’ll be more rugged and durable but also heavier and more expensive.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what you want for your home. But our team at Legacy Service is here to guide you. If you’re in need of a roofing replacement or installation, please feel free to contact us at any time. We’ll schedule a free consultation when it’s most convenient for you. During the consultation, we can help you determine which roof details would be best for you and your home. Next, we’re going to discuss your various design options to give you a better idea of what you’re looking at:
With all of the customizable options out there presently, it’s exciting to design your new roof! There are currently three major categories of asphalt that you can choose from for your home. They include 3-tab asphalt shingles, dimensional, and luxury. It’s true that all three kinds are made of the same materials, but they’re not exactly the same. In the sections below, we compare asphalt shingle design options so that you can understand the differences between each type in order to pick the right one for your home.
So, take a look at these style selections and let us know what you think:
Strip shingles are also known as 3-tab due to their cut. As the original and most basic type, they’re made from a single layer of asphalt, have a flat appearance, and typically look like slate. Since they have a single layer, they usually weigh and cost less than other kinds of asphalt shingles. Before designer shingles were introduced in the 1980s, strip shingles dominated the roofing market. Now they’re used most often by home builders that work on inexpensive homes or homeowners who are replacing existing strip shingles.
Pros
3-tab, or strip shingles, were the most popular roofing choice in the past, but that has been changing over recent years. However, there are still a few reasons why people choose it for their home. They include:
Cons
However, other asphalt shingle types have been taking over because they have more benefits than strip shingles. The disadvantages of strip include:
Not a real zip code.
The next type is called the laminated shingle, also known as dimensional or architectural asphalt shingles. They’re the most commonly used type of asphalt shingle, due to the fact that they’re highly durable, yet still remain affordable. They’re made with two or more layers of asphalt that are fused together for a multi-dimensional appearance. And you won’t have to worry about their beauty because they’re designed to replicate wood shakes and natural slate roofing aesthetics. Since dimensional shingles are heavier than strip, they will usually have improved warranty protection. Just ask your local roofing contractor if you’re interested in scheduling an appointment for an installation or replacement project.
Pros
Why do homeowners choose laminated shingles as opposed to the other types? Their advantages include:
Cons
Like most other things, laminated aren’t without their flaws. The disadvantages include:
Luxury shingles are the third of the three main asphalt shingle categories. They’re the highest-quality laminated shingle available, and they offer a differentiated appearance and functionality. Not only are they considered the ‘heavyweights’ that provide premium protection, but they’re also stunning to look at, with beautiful quality, dimensionality, and coloration. These shingles are thick and heavy, and they can weigh up to 450 lbs per square.
If you’re looking for a realistic representation of old-world wood shake and quarried slate roofing, look no further than luxury. Prime examples include CertainTeed’s Grand Manor® and Carriage House® products.
Pros
Why would someone choose luxury shingles over another type of roofing material? The benefits include:
Cons
Luxury shingles have a few disadvantages as well. If you’re wondering why homeowners choose other types of roofs instead of luxury, the cons include:
Some of the obvious benefits of the best asphalt shingles include the fact that they’re affordable and still durable. They’re also quite stylish. In fact, one of their overlooked advantages is their selection of beautiful colors. Do you have a specific color in mind? You’ll almost definitely be able to find it (or something similar) with the help of your asphalt shingle contractor.
The only problem is that the color selection is so large, you may not be able to choose which one is your favorite! That’s no problem, though. Your local roofer will be able to help you choose a color that matches your tastes and preferences as well as look great on your home and in your neighborhood. Tones usually range from brown to red to gray, and blue and green will be mixed in as well.
If you’re interested in exploring the different options that are available to you, you can look at CertainTeed’s ColorView® home exterior visualizer tool. You’ll be able to upload a picture of your own home so that you can try out different combinations of roofing and siding until you find something you like. Bring your home remodeling dream a reality with Legacy Service. One of our primary shingle suppliers is CertainTeed, and we’re certain that you’ll find exactly what you need.
Of course, there are certain brands of asphalt shingles that are more popular than others. At Legacy Service, we present the different options to you during your initial consultation and allow you to choose the one that you like best.
Different brands have various pros and cons, so it’s a matter of choosing which one you’d like to work with. No matter what, though, all of the most popular brands that we’re about to list look great on roofs and are of high quality. Since most homeowners replace their roof only once or twice in their lifetime, it’s important that they choose the right one that will serve them for years to come and go well with the rest of their home’s exterior.
The three brands we’re going to discuss below include GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning. At Legacy Service, we provide installation and replacement services for all three. If you’re interested in scheduling a free consultation with one of our experts, please feel free to give us a call at any time.
GAF was founded in 1888, and since then, it has become the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. In fact, they sell more shingles than any other brand. They have shingles available in all three categories, from 3-tab, to dimensional, to luxury. They also sell types that are resistant to wind, staining, UV damage, and impact. One of GAF’s main benefits is that its costs are competitive and most roofing contractors have good experiences with them. And when they’re properly installed, GAF shingles work very well. Timberline dimensional shingles is one of their most popular lines, offering them in impact-resistant and solar-reflective forms.
CertainTeed, founded in 1904, is another one of the top brands of asphalt shingles. Their team understands how difficult it is to visualize how your home will look with your new roof, which is why they offer the home exterior visualizer tool. You can use it to try out different combinations for roofing, siding, paint, and trim.
Using modern engineering techniques, CertainTeed is able to produce numerous specialty types of shingles, including but not limited to ones that fight algae growth, offer cool roof color technologies, and improve your roof’s resistance to hail damage.
Owens Corning, formed in 1935, may not be as large as GAF, but it’s still one of the top brands for manufacturing asphalt shingles. In fact, they make a good selection of 3-tab, dimensional, and luxury shingles. Their luxury shingles include Energy-star rated lines and ones with StreakGuard stain protection.
Owens Corning takes pride in being more than just a trusted name; they’re a market leader in roofing shingles, underlayment, and other components. Their systems boast a wide variety of style choices for beautiful appearances, and they are designed to have long-lasting lifespans. They also offer one of the best warranties in the industry.
Not a real zip code.
Asphalt shingles have been the most popular roofing material for decades, and it will most likely remain that way for many years to come. However, like all other types of roofing, they have their own advantages and disadvantages.
In the section below, we’re going to review the pros and cons of asphalt so that you can make an educated decision about whether you’d like to select them or keep searching for another type of roofing, like metal, cedar, or slate. We’ll answer all of your pressing questions, from “How long do asphalt shingles last?” to “How much will it cost compared to other types of roofs?” Remember that if you still have questions, you can contact us today.
Why do homeowners choose asphalt shingles over other types of materials for their roof? The advantages include:
Asphalt shingles also have a few drawbacks. Their disadvantages include:
Unfortunately, once your roof is installed, you can’t just forget about it for the next 20-30 years. You need to take care of it with the proper methods of maintenance. Here’s how you can take care of your roof to help it last as long as possible:
So, what is the cost to install asphalt shingles? This entirely depends on the contractor you choose, the size of your roof, and the category you select. However, you can rest assured that asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable types out there. Don’t mistake these roofs for being cheap, though. Not only are they cost-effective, but they’re also beautiful, versatile, and easy to install. Let’s review some of the factors that affect the cost of your roofing installation or replacement.
It depends on what category of asphalt shingle you choose, but typically asphalt shingles are the cheapest type of roofing material. For example: Strip shingles are made from a single layer, so they will usually cost less than dimensional or luxury. However, they may be less durable than the other types.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing material for a reason, and the affordable cost is absolutely one of the contributing factors. Just remember to choose a quality brand, too, including GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning.
The cost of asphalt shingle installation will differ from home to home. For example: The more levels a roof has, the higher the cost will be. Another factor is that high-end shingles are heavy, so they will probably increase the cost of installation since the materials are more difficult to find and also work with. Keep in mind that installation in cold weather may raise the cost of installation. Even things such as the distance the team has to travel to your home may contribute to the price. If you’re interested in asphalt shingle roofing installation, call Legacy Service to schedule a free consultation and estimate.
The cost to replace an asphalt shingle roof will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your roof and the material of the shingle. Organic mat based shingles will usually cost less than fiberglass ones.
The good news is that asphalt shingles can last for decades. So, once you have them installed, you won’t have to worry about replacing them for a while as long as they’re maintained properly. At Legacy Service, we provide roof replacement services for homeowners throughout southeastern PA, NJ, and DE. Schedule a free consultation where we’ll go over pricing by giving us a call today.
There are many different types of roofs, but asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing type in America. If you’re looking to install or replace your roof, asphalt shingles may be the way to go for your house.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to asphalt shingles. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team of experts. You can give us a call at 215-798-9790 or contact us at https://legacyusa.com/contact/. Let’s get started on your roofing project today!
Posted on Aug 24, 2020 in Roof
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