Asphalt Shingles: Choosing The Right Product For Your Home

Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material, but they also come in many shapes and sizes. Before choosing a product, you need to know which ones are available for you to use. It is best to learn about the different options, so you can purchase a product that is right for your home's new roof.

Traditional Shingles

Most people are familiar with traditional asphalt shingles that come in black, grey and brown. Asphalt shingles generally have a warranty of at least 20 years, though a select number of products come with a lifetime guarantee offered by the manufacturer.

What sets many traditional asphalt shingles apart are their dimensions. The most common ones are 12 inches wide and 36 inches in length, and they utilize a strip system. This means that each strip of roofing has three shingles instead of one.

Another added benefit is that you can easily find a number of quality products in most areas. Additionally, since most roofers work with this material on a regular basis, you will have an easier time finding a qualified company that can install your new roofing materials.

Dimensional Shingles

When you like the look of asphalt but you want a more decorative option, you should look into dimensional shingles. These products have the same longevity as their traditional counterparts, since many of them last between 20 to 50 years before you need to replace them.

The biggest difference is that dimensional shingles have two layers, which creates a 3-D effect. The manufacturer places a smaller layer on the top and may stagger the size or shape of the pieces to enhance the overall design.

Generally, these shingles use the three-tab system as well. Since these products use the same system as traditional asphalt shingles, many roofers are able to install this product. The only real drawback of this option is that dimensional shingles cost more.

Decorative Shingles

Decorative shingles that are made from asphalt is another option. Many of these products resemble other roofing materials, which makes them visually appealing for many homeowners. These products typically resemble slate, wood or clay shingles in both size and color.

The biggest difference, aside from the main material, is that many roofers can install the decorative shingles. Roofing companies do not need additional experience and specialized tools that many of the other materials require. Using this option allows you to obtain the look you want without having to find a specialized roofing company to handle the work.

Share