There are so many different roofing materials available on the market today that it can be tough to choose which one is right for your roofing project.
When people think of the quintessential roofing shingle, they are usually thinking about asphalt shingles. They are the most popular type of shingle used all across North America. This is because they are a relatively cheap roofing material, can last for years with minimal maintenance, and are available in myriad styles and colors.
Cheap And Easy
One of the biggest reasons asphalt shingles are so popular is because of their relative low cost and because they are so easy to work with. Asphalt shingles are widely available everywhere and can come in almost any color or style that you can possibly imagine.
If your roof deck is in good shape, you can further reduce the cost of installing your new roof by simply installing the new shingles over the old ones. This saves you time and money because you don’t have to rip off the old shingles and figure out how to get rid of them!
Types Of Asphalt Shingles
When you are considering installing asphalt shingles on your home there are three main categories that you need to be aware of. 3-tab, architectural, and luxury are the varieties that you will have to choose from.
3-Tab Shingles
Average Cost: $3.45-$4.65/sq ft (including installation)
3-Tab shingles,are the simplest and most basic style of shingle available. They are also sometimes referred to as strip shingles. They are simply a solitary layer of asphalt cut into strips. They are lightweight and low cost, and were pretty much the only option before fancier designs started becoming available in the 80’s. These days they are most often used by builders that are mass producing homes.
Architectural Shingles
Average Cost: $3-$15/sq ft (including installation)
This type of shingle is also sometimes referred to as a dimensional shingle, this is type is the most commonly used today. They are made with two or more layers, meaning they are thicker and generally have a more pleasing appearance. They can be made to imitate other more expensive materials, such as slate or wood shake. Architectural shingles are generally more durable than the strip variety, and tend to come with better warranties.
Luxury
Average Cost: $4.35-$60.00/sq ft (including installation)
As their name suggests, luxury shingles are the best quality and offer the most premium features when it comes to asphalt shingles. They offer the highest level of protection against weathering and moisture infiltration, while also offering a high class appearance. Like architectural shingles, luxury varieties can be made to imitate wood shake or all natural slate, but are made to look even more convincing.
Benefits Of Specialty Asphalt Shingles
Modern engineering and manufacturing techniques have been constantly improving over the years, including when it comes to roofing materials. New innovations in shingle technologies include such innovations as shingles that can prevent and deter the growth of algae and moss, feature increased resistance to damage from hail, and can reflect heat from the sun keeping your home cooler and reducing your monthly cooling bill. With these specialty shingle types you may even have the opportunity to reduce the cost of your home insurance.