Asphalt shingles are a very popular roofing material that appears on more and more homes in Chicagoland every year. This is certainly not happening for a reason, however, there is no roofing material without flaws. Are asphalt shingles so superior that it’s worth installing them on your roof? Let’s find out for ourselves.
Asphalt Shingles are Affordable
First of all, shingles are much cheaper not only than natural slate or cedar, but also composite materials. The low price comes primarily from the relatively simple production process, but the cost is also reduced by installation, which is relatively quick. These two factors make asphalt roofs somewhat budget, although their quality can be really good.
The price/quality ratio is so favorable that asphalt shingles are basically the default solution for large-scale roofs – but they are used on pitched roofs, because on flat ones, metal panels or TPO are usually used. For large buildings, durability and price per square foot are particularly important, as repairs to large areas can be extremely expensive – we’re talking tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Asphalt Shingles are Relatively Durable
Well – it should be noted right away that there are more durable materials, such as slate. However, if we look at good-quality shingles from companies such as GAF and Brava, we see that they can last for many years, as evidenced by long warranties. For most homes, the rooftop should be replaced after 15-25 years, which, with the relatively low price of asphalt shingles, makes most people consider such durability quite sufficient. Roofs made with this technology can last even longer if they are not exposed to UV radiation at all times.
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Repairing Asphalt Shingles is Cheap and Easy
It is worth noting that shingles are sold in the form of large sheets or rolls. In addition to easy installation, the undoubted advantage of this solution is the very quick process of eventual repair. In case of damage to a section of the roof, it is enough to tear off a piece of shingles and lay a new sheet. A good roofing contractor will make the appropriate repairs even within a day, so you can quickly get rid of leaks and not lead to mold in the attic.
Asphalt Shingles are Widely Available
For more niche materials, such as natural slate from CUPA, the waiting time for finished tiles or shakes can be very long, delaying projects. Since roofs are often replaced in unplanned situations, we usually can’t drag out the entire process for several months. The wide availability of asphalt shingles also makes it possible to make the necessary repairs very quickly. Most models and colors from well-known manufacturers have also been available for continuous sale for many years, so even if your roof was installed in 2005 or 2010, we should have no trouble finding the right shingles sheet.
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You Can Install Asphalt Shingles on Virtually Every Roof
Sometimes it happens that our customers want to install a particular type of roof, but this is not possible, for example, due to the structure of their house. This is quite a common problem with slate tiles, which, due to their weight, can put a lot of strain on load-bearing walls. Asphalt shingles are relatively light and do not require special underlayment, so it is difficult to find a house on which we could not install them. The sheets can also be cut freely, so installing them on roofs with many folds is not problematic.
Asphalt Shingles are Wind Resistant
While many manufacturers of roofing materials boast that their products can withstand wind pressures of up to 130 mph – the current standard in our industry by classification standards – asphalt shingles deserve special attention. Because of their flat structure, a roof covered with them is more resistant to strong gusts than one made of cedar shakes or slate tiles. While there are no homes that are completely safe during a tornado, engineers at major brands (such as GAF) pay great attention to perfecting their products in this regard.
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Asphalt Shingles are Aesthetic
While the sense of aesthetics is a relative matter, the extensive customization options for asphalt shingles mean that there is something for virtually every homeowner. For example, GAF’s offering consists of 3 product lines, which translates into more than 20 models, and many of them have up to 7 colors. In total, we’re talking about more than 100 combinations of asphalt shingles, and that’s just from one company. Your roof can look like it’s made of either cedar or slate, although it’s worth noting that a skilled observer will very quickly see that this is not the case.
Summary
We hope you found our article helpful. If you live in Chicagoland and are planning to perform home exterior remodeling, be sure to check out our offer. We guarantee that you will be happy with your choice of our company!
