The most popular roofing materials are inexpensive and easy to install
As the most widely used roofing material in the United States, asphalt shingles are reliable, efficient, and just might be right for you.
Let’s just get out of the way. Asphalt shingles are not exciting. Your friends won’t be in awe of this
stuff, and if your house is a Broadway production, asphalt shingles won’t be the stars of the show.
But that’s okay. Asphalt shingles don’t get the limelight. They do their job quietly, protecting more
homes across America than any other type of roofing material. Today we review efficient and
affordable roofing options you can consider for your home.
Ingredient
Asphalt shingles also known as composition shingles are products composed of a fiberglass base
mat coated with a composition asphalt material to provide water resistance and added strength.
Historically, base layers were often made of organic materials, but over time fiberglass has become
the preferred choice for a base.
Expense
Asphalt shingles can be considered a budget choice among roofing materials, but there are many
different manufacturers and options, some of which can increase costs.
Roofers typically bid their roofs “square”. One square represents a 10-foot square section of the
roof, so 100 square feet. Many asphalt shingle material choices range from $125 to $150 per
square, but some choices use multiple layers for visual appeal and better performance, which can
increase costs significantly.
Keep in mind that the total area of the roof may be greater than the area of the house due to the
roof slope. Depending on variables such as roof pitch, accessibility, choice of asphalt material, and
in some cases the removal of the existing roof, the cost for the roofer to complete the job is between
$2 and $5 per square foot of roof, with a single roof covering 2,000 to 2,000 square feet totaling
$5,000. Single story house starting at $12,500.
Option
Asphalt roofing manufacturers offer designs that seek to replicate the look of real wood shakes or
natural slate.
To tell you the truth, there is no true substitute for a real slate or shake roof, but an asphalt roof
offers an affordable alternative that creates the same visual feel for less money. Options include
multiple layers, multiple colors, and a variety of shingle shapes. Cheaper options usually don’t
offer the same layer differentiation between shingles and therefore don’t offer the same sense of
depth.
Life expectancy
Most standard asphalt roofs have a life expectancy of 30 years, and some affordable types offer
upgrade options with 40- and 50-year warranties. Some product lines come with a limited lifetime
warranty.
Advantages
Asphalt or composite roofs have become popular because they offer many benefits, including:
- Economics
- Ease of installation
- Good fire rating
- Good durability
- Multiple color and style options
Disadvantage
Asphalt shingles are popular for a reason. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However,
before making a decision, you should be aware of the following disadvantages:
- Asphalt roofs cannot handle temperature extremes and some material types, such as metal seam roofs.
- Asphalt roofing is not considered a “green” material. It is a petroleum-based product and generally does not provide much insulating value.
- It’s hard to disguise the fact that an asphalt roof is a manufactured product and not a truly natural material like slate, wood or clay.
Spend your money wisely
How often do you think about your roof? In most cases, the roofing material for a home is not as
important as other exterior choices. The photos here show homes with relatively high-pitched
roofs, but for many homes, particularly those with low pitched roofs, the material may not be
visible at all, and the use of more expensive siding, windows, and doors may be more important
to the exterior style of the house.
Next
Asphalt is America’s most popular roofing material, and while it’s hard to get excited about, it
rarely disappoints. If you want your roof to do its job and blend in with your home, this could be
the option for you.
Next: Investigate how concrete roof tiles effectively mimic a variety of traditional materials while
offering distinct advantages over other options.
More:
Other roofing materials: slate | metal https://kdroofers.com/
About green roofs https://kdroofers.com/
Nitharsana
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published.
