PROS – ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFING

Here are the benefits of installing asphalt shingles on your roof:

VERSATILITY

Asphalt shingles are an extremely versatile product and can be used in several circumstances. Because asphalt shingles can be cut easily and are somewhat flexible, they lend themselves well to steep roof lines that have tight corners or several changes in pitch.

DESIGN VARIETY

At one point in time, there weren’t very many variations of asphalt shingles to make them interesting or unique. But today, many variations can be used to make asphalt shingles more interesting and unique to your specific home.

COLOR OPTIONS

Along with variations in the design of asphalt shingles, there are also several color options on the market. So many that the possibilities can seem almost endless at times.

COST-EFFECTIVE QUALITY

Quality and durability aren’t always the same thing. But, in the case of asphalt shingles, quality often means that the shingles will be more durable. Another huge advantage to asphalt shingles is that they are an extremely durable and high-quality roofing material, especially for the average cost of shingles.

CLASS A FIRE RATING

Fire ratings are critical when it comes to roofing materials. Especially when you live in an area that is prone to wildfires. Asphalt shingles offer a Class A fire rating which is the highest possible fire rating assigned to any building materials.

CONS – ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFING

These are the downsides to asphalt shingles. Just like there are likely more benefits than what we mentioned earlier, there may be more downsides. These are the most notable cons of asphalt shingle roofing.

SHORTER LIFESPAN

A shorter lifespan is one of the most notorious cons of asphalt roofing. There’s just no way to get around because asphalt shingles don’t last as long as other roofing materials. Metal roofing, slate roofing, and tile roofing each have a lifespan of 50 or more years, while asphalt shingle roofs will last from 15 – 30 years depending on the quality and weather conditions the shingles are exposed to.

NOT IDEAL FOR FLATTER ROOFS

Flatter or lower sloped roofs aren’t ideal for asphalt shingles because the lower slope will cause them to wear out more quickly.

VULNERABLE TO WIND UPLIFT

Wind can wreak havoc on almost any roofing material but especially on asphalt shingles. Because asphalt shingles are lightweight, it doesn’t take quite as much wind to cause them to get an uplift. For that reason, they’re a bit more vulnerable than most other materials. Note that some asphalt shingles are rated for as much as 130 mph winds.

CAN CRACK OR DENT ROOF SHINGLES

When the wind does get under the shingles, or heavy weather conditions come in contact with them, there is always the chance that they could crack or dent. Large pieces of hail can also cause the shingles to crack or dent and lead to them needing to be replaced or repaired.

GET YOUR FREE ROOF ESTIMATE FROM RED WOLF ROOFING!

If you have more questions about roofing materials or asphalt shingles, head on over to our blog. We’d love to answer your questions or help you find the right material for your roof. If you’re interested in getting asphalt shingles installed on your roof in Fort Wayne or the surrounding areas, you can head on over to our shingles page or reach out to us directly, and we’ll help you right away.