Shingle Roofs: 5 Facts to Know About Shingle Roofing

Owens Corning

When you picture the word “roof” in your mind’s eye, one image likely comes to mind: a darkish gray roofing installation made up of flat, rectangular pieces. Is this what you saw? If so, it makes perfect sense! According to Consumer Reports, asphalt shingle roofs, just like the one you pictured, are by far the most common type of roofing in the United States.

You may be able to instantly picture a shingle roof, but how much do you really know about this popular roofing style? If you want to get beyond the basics of shingle roofing—a great idea for anyone looking to replace a roof—read on!

What to Know About Shingle Roofs

For those wondering, “What is a shingle roof?” here’s the straightforward answer: it’s a roofing installation covered with shingles. Shingles are flat, rectangular pieces of asphalt, composite, or other roofing material; they’re applied from the base of the roof upwards and often overlap to provide full coverage.

But there’s a lot more to shingle roofing than this basic definition. Learn more about the construction and benefits of this common roofing material below.

1. Shingles come in many colors and textures

When asphalt shingles became popular in the early 1900s, they were only available in two colors: green or black. Today, however, asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of colors, from classic black to natural earth tones and contemporary reds, blues, and greens. Modern shingle roofing can also be beautifully textured to mimic slate, wood, or tile—making the roof safer and lower maintenance without sacrificing style.

2. There are two major types of asphalt shingles

Two of the most popular shingle styles are 3-tab and architectural. Three-tab shingles are designed such that one piece looks like three separate shingles, and they usually lay completely flat against the roofing installation. Architectural shingles are thicker and less uniform than 3-tab shingles to add a more dimensional appearance. While 3-tab shingles are typically more affordable, architectural shingles perform better and last longer.

3. Asphalt shingle roofing is lightweight

An important consideration for any roof is the weight. Depending on its age or construction, your home may not be able to support certain materials, especially heavy ones like clay tiles or slate. Luckily, asphalt shingles—especially the 3-tab ones—are incredibly light and work with most any home.

4. Asphalt shingle roofs are affordable

Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing materials on the market. Because manufacturers can create shingles in bulk, they are typically cheaper than other roofing materials. While other materials, like slate or clay tile, can cost up to 10 times more than asphalt shingles, you can expect to pay around $2-4 per square foot for a new asphalt shingle roof.

5. Shingles are cheaper, easier to install, and more durable

Shingles require less training and expertise to install, which lowers the cost of labor. In addition to these benefits, asphalt shingle roofing has a long expected lifetime. Depending on the specific shingles you choose, you can expect your roof to last anywhere from 10 to 30+ years.

How Much Does a Shingle Roof Cost?

With this knowledge, you’re now familiar with asphalt roofs and the five key elements to consider when selecting asphalt shingles.

Upon completion of this piece, you’re more well-informed to determine if asphalt shingles are the most suitable choice for your roof replacement. Nevertheless, there is still some information concerning getting an asphalt roof that you require which pertains to its cost. To better answer these questions and equip you with even more knowledge, we have already provided the answers.

To learn what you can expect to pay for your asphalt roof replacement, please feel free to contact us!

Want More Information About Shingle Roofs?

If you’re still wondering what a shingle roof is or whether it would be right for your home, give Rite Window a call today! We’d be happy to explain how high-quality shingle roofing can improve the style, value, and durability of your property.

To get started now, submit our quick online form to request a free consultation from our roofing experts!

Categories: Roofing.
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