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Asphalt shingles are offered in a variety of colors, patterns and styles making them popular for that reason alone. The old style 3-tab shingle required that the tabs be perfectly aligned or you would produce a wavy uneven appearance that could be distracting as well as unattractive. With the new architectural shingles that are available in random patterns that resemble slate, wood or ceramic tile, you don’t have to worry about this as the architectural shingles already have the appearance you want so the new shingle will enhance any home’s décor and fit into the style you are looking for.
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Asphalt shingles offer the benefits of an easy installation as well as an affordable product. Considered among the easiest to install, the asphalt shingle can withstand extreme temperatures where winter weather includes rain, wind, snow and ice for long periods of time. With a variety of shingles that can be found with Class A, B or C classifications which are fire and flammability standards that are nationally recognized. The asphalt shingle with a Class A rating should be used where there is a high fire probability. Some asphalt shingles can also be bought featuring wind resistance that has been tested by the manufacturer and should be used in areas subject to high winds.
There a four different types of asphalt shingles that are used for roofing – strip shingles, laminated shingles, interlocking shingles and large format shingles. The most common is the strip shingle which is usually referred to as the three-tab shingle that is available in standard or metric dimensions. This type of shingle can provide textural shadowing to provide a specific design depending on how they are laid out, however if done incorrectly they can cause distortion. The laminated shingles are three dimensional architectural shingles that can provide a visual effect that has a customized look and is considered the most aesthetically pleasing of all the shingles. Interlocking shingles are woven together by fastening to each other to provide better wind resistance and are available in a number of patterns, sizes and shapes to give you lots of design options. Large format shingles are hexagonal or rectangular in shape and do not use tabs or cutouts.
Generally lasting between fifteen to twenty years on average with some heavier organic asphalt shingles lasting up to thirty years, an asphalt shingle roof manufacturer will almost always give a warranty. Asphalt roofing generally requires little regular maintenance and will last for years without any repairs for low slope or steep sloping roofs. Some manufacturers of asphalt shingles also offer algae resistant products to protect your roof from contaminates of this nature.
As with anything that you purchase, if you follow some basic maintenance rules you should not encounter any problems, so you should routinely follow an inspection regimen that will ensure you detect a problem before it gets out of hand. You should regularly do a visual inspection of your roof at a minimum of once a year to see if there are any missing, loose or damaged shingles. This inspection should include a check of any chimneys, skylights or flashings to see if there is anything amiss. You should look for signs of bird or insect nests in louvers, chimneys or vents and look for any telltale signs of moisture that could mean a possible leak in the soffit or fascia boards to see if there is any deterioration. Any trees that grow close to a house should be trimmed back so that no limbs or leaves are leaning or growing onto the roof. If you have a steep roof you should look around window dormers or turrets or any other structures on the roofline.
If you have a flat roof you should see if there are any signs of blistering or
 cracking of the shingles or torn or uplifting shingles. Asphalt rolled roofing is also offered and is made of the same materials as asphalt shingles with rolls being offered in sheets of eighteen or thirty-six inches wide. This type of asphalt roofing is generally used on a flat roof but can be subject to warping or buckling if not properly installed. Once this occurs then the surface granular coating can wear down fairly quickly. Periodic inspections should be done to look for deterioration, tearing or cracking and you should ensure that all overlaps or edges are well sealed.
Choosing the right person for a proper installation of your asphalt shingles will ensure that you have no headaches later on. This professional will remove all the old shingles and ensure that the roofing plywood is in good condition with no deterioration and that it is nailed down in all places. If there are damaged boards those should be replaced and nails added if necessary so that the wood is securely in place. If you are planning to do this job yourself, you need to ensure you have the proper materials essential before getting started including: roofing shovel or square ended spade, knee pads, roofing felt, roofing nails, and a ladder with a rope to use as a safety tether. Other tools needed are a utility knife that will be needed to modify or cut the shingles to fit.
Prior to starting, you should ensure that windows are covered for protection and that any plants or other obstacles are removed from the area close to the house so that they won’t be damaged when the old shingles are pulled off. You should always check with your local building codes to ensure that you are complying with all codes such as fire resistant roofing for fire prone areas. You might need to secure a permit for the replacement of the roof. Working on a roof can be hazardous and it is important to secure the ladder at the top as well as the bottom and if at all possible have a helper who can assist. Carrying supplies of shingles, nails and other materials required is heavy work and can be difficult particularly if you do not have assistance.
Proper installation is the key to ensuring minimal repairs or damage to your roof from uplift, wind tear or moisture damage. If you plan to do the project yourself, it is important to get as much information as possible about the proper way to install these shingles. If your asphalt shingles are improperly installed or the wrong flashing is used around chimneys or skylights you can create a problem later on. If gutters are not properly installed they can also cause water to flow incorrectly underneath the shingles causing water damage that might otherwise have been avoided. If your chimney cap has cracked or otherwise become damaged, this could cause a leak in your roof too.
If you get a professional roofer who is knowledgeable about asphalt roofing you will minimize your risks of any problems arising in the future. With many things to consider, sometimes it is safer to spend a little extra money now to be certain that the asphalt shingle roofing is installed correctly so that you don’t have to deal with a leak that could have been avoided. Whatever your decision, you can be assured that putting a new asphalt shingle roof on your home will increase its value and give your home a beautiful façade that will make your family and your neighbors satisfied for many years to come. Don’t waste any more time – make the intelligent choice of choosing a new asphalt shingle roof – you will be happy with your investment and pleased with the results.
Affordable Roofing Options
for Your New Roof
When it comes time to replace your roof there are many options that are available, so it can be confusing figuring out which choice is the best for you. The first instinct is to replace it with the same type of roof that is already there but sometimes that can be rather expensive and might not be the best solution for you. Before making your decision you should consider the pros and cons of each including the costs and the lifespan of each as well as how much maintenance is required.
Other considerations should be the age of the home and how long you plan to live there and whether the roofing cost is justified. The style of your home makes a difference as well since some roofing types would not “fit in” with the architecture of your home so that could narrow down the search right there. There are many types of roofing, including asphalt shingles otherwise known as composition roofs, wood or shakes shingles, metal roofing, tile, concrete, rubber or plastic engineered and eco roofs. Let’s look at them all and see which options are the most affordable.
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Local price quote for your new roofing and gutters project
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Asphalt shingles or composition – This style can be used on most types of architecture – from modern contemporary to historic. It comes in many styles, colors and types and is fire resistant as well as easy to repair and best of all – it is inexpensive with options available that have more durability for extra costs. Its lifespan is between 15 to 30 years but it is considered environmentally unfriendly and is subject to moss and mildew.
Wood shingles or shakes – This style is used on a wide range of architectures that include ranch, contemporary or bungalows and cottages and historic homes. It easily blends with the environment with a natural weathering and is easy to replace or repair shingles. It adds some insulation and will last from 30 to 50 years if well maintained. It is harder to install requiring a professional and gets a poor fire rating unless it is pressure treated. Besides being expensive it also will rot or split easily and tends to have mold and mildew.
Metal made of aluminum, copper, steel or tin – This style is often seen on many types that include ranch, bungalows or cottages, contemporary and historic. With a variety of colors and looks that resemble slate, cedar or shingles, this style is very durable lasting fifty years or more and is very low maintenance withstanding hard rain, hail or high winds easily. It is considered environmentally friendly and can be installed over an existing roof – however installation can be difficult and should be done by a professional. It may be expensive and need some painting but it has a very long lifespan.
Tile made of concrete or clay – This style is often seen in sunny climates on Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, French, Mission, Beaux Arts or contemporary or ranch style homes. With a variety of colors and styles these roofs are fireproof and easy to maintain and very durable lasting a long time. These are very heavy and expensive with installation more difficult and repairs harder because of the fragility of the tiles if they are walked on.
Slate – This style can be found on French, Italian, Beaux Arts and larger mansions or chateaux. They are fireproof and known for their beauty and their long lifespan but they need professional installation because of their difficulty to install. Besides being very heavy they are also very expensive. With high maintenance and because of their fragility, they are usually found on high end homes.
Concrete or fiber reinforced – This style is found on any types of architectures. It comes in many colors and varieties including those that resemble stone, tile or shakes. This type is very durable and is fire resistant meeting most of the more restrictive fire codes. They are lightweight and insect resistant and very low maintenance. Some products however do not live up to the quality standards that others have and they can be expensive.
Hot mopped asphalt with decorative stone – This is primarily used on flat roofed style homes that are contemporary or modern and usually found in California or other sunny climates. They are inexpensive and easy to repair but they present a major health risk when they are being installed. Their fumes increase the smog and have a strong smell that is unpleasant.
Engineered rubber or plastic – This style is found on any architecture and is only one third of the weight of slate with a wide range of colors and styles to choose from. Made of recycled materials, these roofs are attractive as well as economical and they are supposed to last from thirty to fifty years, however, they are new to the marketplace so long-range effects might not be known.
Eco roofs – This style is used on gently sloping roofs and is considered environmentally friendly with a roofing system of vegetation and soil that filters rainwater. It provides insulation while keeping homes cooler in the summer. They are considered low maintenance and have an extensive lifespan. While generally unknown in the United States they have been used in Europe for more than thirty years and can be expensive to install.
Once you weigh the pluses and minuses of each type of roof you need to determine which one makes the most sense for you. Obviously the composition asphalt shingles are the least expensive and a have moderately long lifespan of fifteen to thirty years but they are not the best environmentally and could cause problems with mold. Metal roofing is long lasting and can be expensive but there are a variety of choices that might make it more affordable over the long-term as it is very durable and it is environmentally friendly. The good news is that there are lots of choices and sometimes paying more for a product in the beginning will serve you well over the long haul – you just need to do the math and decide for yourself.
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