asphalt shingle roofing

Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Your Ultimate Guide

Asphalt shingles (otherwise known as composition shingles) have been the most popular roofing material for ages in the US because of their impressive advantages, including affordability, range of style, color, and texture options, ability to resist algae growth & provide improved resistance against hail damage and wind damage, fire resistance, and long life expectancy. In this guide, you will learn all you need to know about asphalt shingle roofing, including: what are asphalt roofing shingles are precisely, different types of asphalt roof shingles, hail damage on the asphalt shingle roof and how to select an asphalt shingle roofer among others

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What are asphalt roofing shingles? 

Asphalt shingles begin with a fiberglass base mat or organic mat made of cellulose fibers made of wood or paper, giving the roof shingles tear and tensile strength. Specially formulated hot asphalt then coats the top and bottom of the base material to make the shingle waterproof. Finally, ceramic granules (also known as mineral granules) are embedded into asphalt’s top layer to protect the roofing shingles from UV rays while adding the asphalt shingle color and shading.

Organic shingles and fiberglass shingles are brilliant choices for practically any business and residential roofing project. A properly installed asphalt shingle roofing system can enhance your home's curb appeal, reduce utility costs, and protect the house’s structural integrity.

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Styles and shapes of roof shingles

Based on your location, selecting a specialty shingle can likewise decrease your insurance costs (e.g., a shingle that is impact resistant and installed properly on a property in a hail zone)
3 tab shingle roof

3 tab shingles

Three tab shingles are a more affordably priced option for property owners. The offset layout and rectangular shape characterize them. These roofing types were prevalent until architectural roof shingles were introduced in the 1970s. 
architectural roof

Architectural shingles 

Architectural shingles (also referred to as laminated shingles/ laminate shingles or dimensional shingles) are made with multiple layers of asphalt for a thicker and multi-dimensional roof look and have various color and style combinations. Their strength and durability as to wind resistance are higher than the 3 tab shingle types. Many of them also give longer warranties.

Architectural shingles with two or more layers of asphalt fused have an aesthetic appearance and can mimic various traditional roofing materials such as slate roofing and wood shake shingles. Using them on your roof likewise helps save costs on installation labor and building materials. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association states that these types of asphalt are the preferable asphalt shingle used nowadays. 

designer shingle roof

Designer shingles

Along with new developments in asphalt shingle roofing design, a brand new category of architectural shingles has come out. Also called premium shingles or luxury asphalt shingles, designer shingles are the prime quality types of asphalt shingles. Brands manufacture them to look practically the same as wood shakes or other alluring old-world roof designs that provide buildings with an artisan appearance.

50 year shingle roof

50-year asphalt shingles

Today, several premium shingles from asphalt shingle manufacturers like Owens Corning have a 50-year warranty. These types of asphalt roof shingles use upgraded roofing materials and are heavyweight compared to standard architectural shingles. Quality installation by a certified roofing company on these luxury shingles roofing systems is critical because numerous roofs fail in a breeze after unprofessional installation, poor ventilation design, or absence of roofing design for weather or wind.

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Hail damage on the asphalt shingle roof

The effects of hail storms on your asphalt shingles may include fractures, tears, or punctures. Also, granule displacement happens when hail impacts have knocked granules off the shingle. In these cases, you should rely on hail damage restoration.

Color options with roof shingles

Industry research shows that a big challenge faced by many property owners is how to match roof shingles to house color. The most practical advice is to contact Four Elements - known for its best asphalt shingle roof repair and replacement services in the Chicagoland area and Illinois. The right colors of asphalt shingle roofs will improve the curb appeal of your property and bolster its resale value. Also, you may want to take a look at these primary shingle roof color pairings:

Building color

Weathered wood or log buildings

Advised matching roof shingle colors

Grey, black, green, brown

Building color

White

Advised matching roof shingle colors

Virtually any color, including white, blue, green, black, green. and brown

Building color

Brown

Advised matching roof shingle colors

Blue, green, brown, grey

Building color

Cream/ Beige

Advised matching roof shingle colors

Blue, green, grey, black, brown

Building color

Light grey

Advised matching roof shingle colors

White, blue, green, black, grey

Building color

Red

Advised matching roof shingle colors

Green, grey, black, and dark brown

Select an asphalt shingle roofing contractor

Look for a roofing contractor that possesses these qualifications:

- Licensed and insured
- Experienced with your specified type of asphalt shingle roofing
- Experienced with the staged roofing project that needs tear-off and installation done side by side
- Familiar with the insurance claim procedure
- Familiar with local roofing requirements
- Providing viable money-saving roofing options for your existing or new roof
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Four Elements ticks all the boxes. Here, we have worked with leading shingle manufacturers and only used top-tier roofing materials and tools for your asphalt shingle roof restoration and installation. We likewise have the inside scoop on how to deliver the best value for money. As a plus, Four Elements makes the process easy, even during the hardest time. Just contact us! 

Related questions

Can I paint asphalt roof shingles?

It is possible. If you are considering doing so, talk to experts from Four Elements.

Can I use asphalt shingles on my flat roof?

It is inadvisable. You can have asphalt roll roofing installed on your flat roof.

How much does asphalt shingles roofing cost?

The cost per square foot depends on the materials' style, texture, and overall quality. For further information about the asphalt shingle roof restoration and installation costs, call Four Elements.

What size of roofing does a bundle of asphalt shingle cover?

It has a roughly 33.3 square foot coverage.

How long does asphalt shingle roofing last?

20-30 years. The lifespan of newer premium shingles roofing can be up to 50 years. 

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