Asphalt Shingles

Over the years two strip type asphalt shingles have dominated the market: the 3-Tab asphalt shingle and the Laminated asphalt shingle, sometimes called an Architectural asphalt shingle. There are several manufacturers of asphalt shingles, however there is not much difference in the makeup and to some extent the design from one manufacturer to another.

Asphalt shingles are generally made of a spun fiberglass mat but can be made of an organic or polyester type mat. Most are saturated with asphalt but can be saturated with modified bitumen. All are coated with ceramic granules. There are several manufacturers of asphalt shingles.

The 3-Tab asphalt shingle is generally 36” long by 12” wide with two cutouts in the lower portion of the shingle making it appear, once installed, as individual shingles. This type of strip shingle is the least expensive roofing material.

The Laminated asphalt shingle is made of two pieces laminated together. One piece is about 36" long by about 6". Another piece is laminated over it commonly called the dragon’s tooth piece because it resembles squared off teeth. This type is more expensive and can be very expensive if marketed by the manufacturer as a 50 year or lifetime roof.

There are a few other styles of strip shingles now available which present a different appearance, sometimes called Architectural asphalt shingles. Some are a one-piece dragon’s tooth, others have a few layers of differently cut asphalt shingles all laminated together. These are the most expensive types of asphalt shingles.

The manufacturers market their shingles as 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and even 50 year or Lifetime asphalt shingles as a way of differentiating several 3-Tab or Laminated and Architectural shingles they sell. They make it sound as if they will last that long. There may be differences in the amount of asphalt they use or they may have a thicker mat and look or they might be granulated on both sides and have more self-sealing asphalt for better wind resistance. But in the end, an asphalt shingle still is an asphalt shingle. No matter what little changes they make, they all look similar in that they all are covered with granules and their performance is similar.

When specifying Asphalt Shingles, make sure to state the Manufacturer, the number of years warranted, name of the shingle, color, and type. Example: Acme, 30 year, Wind Star, Sand Dune, 3-Tab Asphalt Shingle. (Made up shingle)

The life expectancy of any asphalt shingle varies in different climates. Around here in Colorado the life expectancy is at the most 20 years for 3-Tab shingles and maybe 25 years for Laminated shingles no matter what their marketing/warranty says. This is because the sun's intense ultraviolet rays bleach out the asphalt very rapidly compared to other parts of the country. So basically, a 30 year asphalt shingle will last about the same amount of time as a 50 year or Lifetime asphalt shingle roof. After all, they all are made of the same materials.

Asphalt Shingles

are the least expensive roofing material to have installed.
are the easiest Steep-Roofing materials to install.
require the least amount of craftsmanship. A beginning roofer can be taught to install asphalt shingles properly within a few months.
are easy to cut using a roofing knife at valleys and around roof protrusions.
are a 2 ply roofing system. This means that when drilling a hole anywhere through the exposed surface area of the shingle, there is another shingle layer below that the drill would have to go through before reaching the underlayment.
have less chance of leaking than many Steep-Roofing materials because of being a 2 ply roof system.
can easily be walked on without damaging the roof when the surface is not hot from the sun.
are easier to make repairs on.
could last about 20 to 25 years here in the Metro Denver Area barring any damage from hail. (Note: This includes the so called 30 year, 40 year, and 50 year asphalt roofing shingles. They may be thicker, may have more laminates, but they are still made of the same materials. I have yet to see an asphalt shingle roof older than 25 years that still even looks acceptable. Our severe weather and UV rays from the sun will take its toll on any asphalt shingle.)
are usually installed as a Class A Fire Rated roof system.
are more susceptible to damage from wind and hail than most other types of Steep-Roofing materials.
are easier to install on small areas and on difficult cut up architectural areas.
will resist snow sliding off better because of the surface adhesion they provide.
are medium in weight, from about 2 pounds per square foot to just over 3 pounds per square foot.
come in a wide variety of colors and fade little over their life span.
are very difficult to match colors when from different runs. A replaced area or shingle will never quite look the same as the rest of the roof if from a different run.
colors and shades come and go all the time. The manufacturers change colors fairly frequently except for a few standards they might have.
should not be installed in cold or hot weather. They are fracture prone when cold and easily scarred when in the hot sunshine. Care must be taken when ambient temperatures are less than 40 degrees and shingles should never be installed when colder than 32 degrees. Care must be taken when the ambient temperature is above 90 degrees, or less if in direct sunlight, on 4:12 and 5:12 pitch roof slopes. Steeper slopes require even more care.
can cautiously be walked on when wet.