Here at Golden West Exteriors, our number one goal is to make our customers happy. When they are considering a big new investment like a new roof, that means making sure they are properly informed about all of their roofing material options. And there are a lot of options to choose from, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. If you are looking for new roofing, then feel free to give us a call for a more detailed explanation of your options. In the meantime, we have listed some of the benefits to what is probably the most popular roofing material around the world: asphalt shingles.
Versatility
One of the major reasons for asphalt shingles’ prominence in the residential roofing industry is that they can be applied to all kinds of angles, shapes, and forms. There are many different architectural styles out there, and few materials can match with them all. Asphalt shingles are one of those materials. No matter what type of home you have, asphalt shingles are likely to make a good functional and aesthetic match.
Design Options
Not only can asphalt shingles be applied to just about any type of structure, their wide range of design options also allows them to fit aesthetically with just about any type of residential structure. Asphalt shingles can also be designed to look like other roofing materials, including heavy cedar, cedar, slate, and synthetic slate, among others.
Color Options
You can not only find a wide array of design options, but color options as well. And, they even come with fancy names like “Appalachian” Dynasty or “Shadow Black” Armourshake. There are so many shades to choose from, you are sure to find the right option for you. Combined with its versatility and design options, this makes asphalt shingles one of the most customizable roofing material options on the market.
Impact Resistance
The whole point of a roof is to stand against the elements, so the last thing you want is a roof that can’t stand a little bit of impact. Asphalt shingles may not be the most impact resistant material out there, but they can certainly hold their own against a falling branch. Additionally, asphalt shingles can be treated to improve their impact resistance, even achieving a Class 4 impact resistance rating with the right materials. This is something to consider for people who live in areas with lots of potential falling foliage.
Wind Resistance
While standard asphalt shingles do not have the greatest wind resistance rating, they are still perfectly functional in most climates. However, if you need a higher wind resistance, there are asphalt shingle options that can meet your needs. Discuss with your contractor what these options are, and whether you necessarily need them.
Fire Rating
If you want your asphalt shingles to have a great fire rating, they can be treated with fiberglass. This will help them rank with a Class A fire rating, the highest that there is. A Class A fire rating means that the roof has effective protection against both the penetration and spreading of a fire.
Sound Protection
According to the Acoustic Group, of all the roofing materials tested, asphalt shingles proved to be the best for dampening roof noises. Other roofing types, such as slate or metal, can cause serious noise problems even just from the sound of rain hitting the roof. For those who enjoy peace and quiet, asphalt shingles might be the right way to go.
Easy Installation
Another reason that people enjoy asphalt roofs is that they are one of the easiest materials to install. That not only lowers the price point, but it also eliminates much of the hassle of having a new roof installed in the first place. Nobody enjoys having their home commandeered for a week, even if it is for a new roof. You can minimize the time your house will be unusable (or extremely loud to live in) by choosing asphalt shingles.
Great Cost/Value Ratio
Even though they tend to need replacement about every 20 years or so (as opposed to metal, concrete, or slate), asphalt roofing materials have a great cost to value ratio. This is because of their long term durability coupled with ease of installation and low material cost, both of which greatly reduce the price point.
Considerations
Asphalt shingles cannot be installed in freezing temperatures, as this will cause major damage down the road and greatly decrease their lifespan. That means you can only build during the warm season. If there are ventilation issues in your attic, this can also cause damage to shingles. Also, asphalt shingles tend to require more maintenance than most other roof types, like metal, slate, and concrete, with the exception of maybe cedar shake roofing. This should be factored into the cost when comparing asphalt shingles to other roofing materials. However, a properly installed asphalt shingle roof can be expected to live out its entire lifespan with proper maintenance.
Hopefully you feel a little bit more informed about this versatile roofing material. If you are looking for asphalt shingle roofing installation or repairs in Edmonton, Golden West Exteriors can help. For more information, please do not hesitate to give us a call at your earliest convenience. One of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.