Asphalt shingles are a popular choice for roofing across all of the United States due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, wide range of colors and models and ease of maintenance. However, the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof can vary widely, typically ranging from 15 to 30 years. Even if 3 decades of use are pretty good score, usually, our clients decide to replace their roof in less than 19 years after installation. So let’s see what to do to extend the lifespan of the asphalt shingle roof and how much you can gain by doing so.
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What Do You Need to Know About Asphalt Shingles?
As we have already mentioned, asphalt shingles are very popular in the United States due to their excellent price/quality ratio and their versatility. Before we look into extending their service life, let’s take a moment to understand the specifics of this material. Trust us, this knowledge will be very useful.
What do Asphalt Shingles consist of?
Each asphalt shingle takes the form of a layered sandwich – the base of the structure is fiberglass or other matting. The base layer is surrounded by asphalt or another bituminous product, which provides additional waterproofing and sealing. The top layer of the asphalt shingle is covered with granules to protect against UV light, dirt and other factors that could damage the bitumen layer and fiberglass.
For the sake of argument, let’s add that the granules falling off is one of the most common symptoms of asphalt roof wear.
What are the Most Popular Types of Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles come mainly in two types: three-tab shingles and architectural shingles.
- Three-tab shingles are recognized for their cutouts – tabs made along the lower edge. That make them look like three separate pieces when installed, though they are a single piece. These shingles are thinner and lighter than other types, making them a cost-effective choice for clients limited by their budget. Their elegant appeaarance and flat silhouette create classic and simple composition.
- Architectural shingles, also known as designer, dimensional or laminated shingles, are thicker and offer a richer, more varied appearance. They are made of multiple layers of material, which not only gives them a more substantial, resilient profile but also creates shadow effects that mimic the look of natural slate or wooden shakes. Due to their enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal, architectural shingles are often chosen by a little wealthier clients.
You may also find differently named asphalt shingles in the offerings of some manufacturers, but as a general rule, they will always fall into one of the above two groups.An example is the GAF Timberline Series, which, despite the existence of a separate line of Designer Shingles, also falls into the broadly defined architectural shingles.
Typically, the differences between types of asphalt shingles come down to aesthetics and price. Sometimes it happens that architectural shingles are a tad better in terms of technical specifications, but these differences will not be critically important.
How to Prolong Asphalt Shingles’ Lifespan? Tips
Choose High Quality Materials
The easiest way to ensure a long and trouble-free life for your roof is to purchase quality materials.The best roofing contractors Glenview will only use proven solutions that guarantee durability and weather resistance.
High quality asphalt shingles will be:
- More durable – the layer of asphalt will be thicker, slowing its degradation;
- More aesthetically pleasing – manufacturers operating in the premium market can spend more on the design of their products, and the pigments used will be of better quality;
- Less prone to algae and moss overgrowth – premium asphalt shingles are coated with a thin layer of silver ions, which slows the growth of microorganisms on their surface;
- Better protected from the effects of UV radiation.
In our opinion, a fairly good indicator of the quality of asphalt shingles is the warranty provided for them. No manufacturer will promise 25 or even 30 years of protection if its shingles require replacement at its expense after 20 years.
Choose Renowned Roofing Contractor
As a GAF roofing contractor Evanston, we install asphalt shingles in such a way that their service life is maximized. Proper installation translates into improved ventilation, optimal material selection, carefully crafted connections, and a long and fair warranty. When installing your roof, we will take care of:
- Proper ventilation – well-installed underlayment, properly routed ventilation ducts and professionally placed vents ensure that asphalt shingles will not be heated by water vapor escaping from the attic. This ensures that mold will not develop in particularly sensitive areas;
- Even placement of shingles – poorly placed asphalt shingles look unsightly, and on top of that can increase the risk of leaks and leaks;
- Strong attachment of asphalt shingles – a properly dense distribution of nails will make your roof more resistant to strong winds, which are increasingly common in Illinois.
Routine Inspection and Maintenance
However, proper roof installation and choice of materials is not everything. Looking ahead many years, it is potentially more important to regularly and responsibly maintain your existing asphalt shingles. As a homeowner, you should have your asphalt shingle roof inspection Highland Park on a regular basis, remove organic debris and leaves, and make sure no leaks appear.
The sooner you detect roof leaks, the cheaper and simpler it will be to repair them. Remember at the same time that roof replacement is many times more expensive than repairing it. It is definitely worth it to act quickly.
Clean Your Roof Regularily
In less friendly climates, the growth of moss, algae and other plants can be a serious threat to asphalt shingles, as it can lead to the gradual degradation of the material and the accumulation of moisture without the ability to remove it effectively. To combat this problem, you can opt for two solutions:
- Install zinc or copper strips: some metal strips, when installed at the roof’s peak, can help reduce moss and algae growth by releasing particles that coat the roof during rain. A very similar solution, albeit a bit more modern, was used by GAF by spraying its ashpalt shingles with crushed silver ions.The effect, however, remains exactly the same;
- Use cleaning solutions: An equally good way to protect the roof from the growth of moss, algae and lichen is to remove them mechanically using water mixed with pesticides or detergents.Remember, however, that using a brush with hard bristles can lead to serious mechanical damage.
Remove Branches That are Above Your Roof
Tree branches above the roof pose a real danger to both the building’s occupants and the structure. A branch falling from 20-30 feet can seriously injure or even kill. To reduce the risk of taking down your roof and attic, you should trim surrounding trees, especially old ones.
By removing branches, you will also reduce the amount of fallen leaves and branches that could rot on asphalt shingles, causing moss and mold growth. The less organic debris, the longer you’ll enjoy your roof in good working order.
Summary
We hope our article will be a helpful resource for you and help you properly maintain your asphalt shingles roof.However, if you know you need the help of a specialist, don’t wait – contact the specialists with 20 years of experience, who have completed more than 36,000 projects throughout Chicagoland.
