| People often think of dream homes as those neat, | | | | homeowners have complained that the payouts did |
| crisp-looking houses with brick walls and triangular | | | | not really cover the replacement or repair costs as |
| roofs. Such is a classic picture of what people imagine | | | | they should. |
| homes should be like. And this effect can be | | | | But this does not mean that one should completely |
| achieved with a home roofed with asphalt roofing | | | | shun asphalt shingles as a roofing choice with the |
| shingles. | | | | right mindset in buying, you can still get quality |
| Asphalt shingles have become quite so popular when | | | | shingles that last long. |
| it comes to roofing options for homes. Their | | | | When buying asphalt shingles what you need to look |
| versatility and economic value have proven to be so | | | | at is how much a particular brand meets industry |
| attractive that they now cover as much as 80 | | | | standards, instead of the warranties. For fiberglass |
| percent of the market. Asphalt shingles are quite | | | | shingles, you should make sure that the product |
| inexpensive and easy to install. They come in a great | | | | meets the standard known as ASTM D-3462, which |
| array of quality and style and are compatible with a | | | | means that the shingles can withstand tests such as |
| wide range of roof pitches. They can be installed | | | | nail withdrawal and tear-strength. In the past decade |
| with different roof features, from roof edges to | | | | only a few products have passed this standards and |
| chimneys and wall terminations to vent flashings. | | | | you need to make sure that the one you buy are up |
| Most of all, they are highly attractive and can really | | | | to this standard. Shingles are inspected by |
| give a house that homey effect. | | | | Underwriters Laboratory and those who pass come |
| There are basically two types of asphalt shingles | | | | with the UL logo and a certification. |
| available in the market: the organic-mat shingles and | | | | Organic mat shingles, on the other hand, should meet |
| the fiberglass shingles. Both of these are of course | | | | the standard called ASTM D-225. Organic shingles |
| made of asphalt, but the difference lies on the | | | | usually have greater nail-pull and tear strength |
| reinforcing mat - the fiberglass variety of uses | | | | resistance compared to asphalt shingles and thus their |
| fiberglass while the organic variety uses a | | | | standards are also higher. A good lose rule of thumb |
| wood-derived mat made of cellulose fiber. | | | | is that heavier organic shingles are sturdier than |
| The organic type of mat requires two coatings of | | | | lighter ones. This may not always be true for |
| asphalt - a soft asphalt for saturation and then harder | | | | fiberglass shingles, though. |
| asphalt for protection. Meanwhile, the fiberglass type | | | | As expected, shingles that fulfill the industry |
| only needs one hard asphalt coating. People choose | | | | standards are more expensive than shingles of low |
| fiberglass for its light weight, thinness, ease of | | | | quality. But aside from the quality of the shingles |
| transporting and high fire rating. | | | | themselves, there is also the factor of installation |
| There are those who still prefer the organic type | | | | when the roofing cost is being considered. You may |
| because they are more durable and they are more | | | | opt to use cheaper nails, but it may be rather |
| flexible especially during cold weather. As such, | | | | wasteful to install good quality shingles using |
| fiberglass shingles are more popular in the central and | | | | low-grade nails. |
| southern parts of the country while organic shingles | | | | Different Looks |
| predominate the market in the northern parts as well | | | | What people usually consider when they want asphalt |
| as in Canada. | | | | shingles is their appearance. Shingles comes in |
| Buying Considerations | | | | different styles and colors that can really bring out |
| One of the major considerations when buying asphalt | | | | the beauty of a home. With the right kind of asphalt |
| shingles is its service life. Warranties for asphalt | | | | shingle you can achieve different looks for your |
| shingles usually come as longs as 20 to 45 years. | | | | dream home. |
| However, it is important to choose a particular brand | | | | Asphalt roofing shingles are the roofing materials of |
| not only for its warranty period as they do not really | | | | choice for many homes and even commercial |
| reflect the actual lifespan of shingles. There have | | | | buildings. With its superb form and function there is |
| been reports of asphalt shingles failing far earlier than | | | | no wonder why this has become quite popular when |
| the expiry date of their warranties, and a lot of | | | | building dream houses. |