How Are Asphalt roofing Shingles Composed?

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material used throughout the world for their economical cost and relatively low-maintenance long life.

Made from a combination of different materials, shingles installed by asphalt roof contractors are available today in multiple grades and offer numerous premium features.

To better understand how these shingles work as well as stay protective and why asphalt shingle roofers recommend them for nearly any installation on a pitched roof, just take a look at how they are made.

What Is The Makeup of Asphalt Shingles?

Though they are called asphalt shingles, this roofing material is actually a composite of multiple materials that combine to create a durable product:

Fiberglass Matting - The basis of the shingle itself is mainly fiberglass matting that is made from fiberglass fibers pressed into a durable mat. Some shingles installed by asphalt roof services include other organic fibers in the matting as well and composite shingles may even include plastic, rubber, and other durable materials, creating an even more durable shingle matting.
Asphalt - A tar-like natural substance, asphalt is applied as a saturation coating to the matting installed by asphalt roof services to make the shingles water-resistant.
Mineral Stabilizer Fillers - These are mineral additives that are mixed into the asphalt to increase its fire resistance.
Ceramic Coated Granules - The granule coating that is applied to the tops of asphalt shingles is made from finely crushed rock that is coated in ceramic. The coating is applied by asphalt roof contractors to the asphalt-saturated matting, then heat cured so it is more protective and UV-reflective. It is in the ceramic coating that colors are added to create shingles of various colors and shades.
Back Surfacing - Made from sand or slag fines, which is the fine waste powder generated through rock mining, back surfacing is applied to the sticky underside of the asphalt-saturated matting to make the mats less sticky during manufacturing. They can more easily be cut by machinery and stacked in the squares that are sold to asphalt roof contractors without sticking together and slowing down manufacturing and usage.

Other Types of Shingles

While this describes the general process by which the shingles installed by asphalt shingle roofers are made, there are many types of shingles that undergo slightly different production processes.

Decorative architectural shingles are made with thicker, shaped matting, premium wind-resistant or impact-resistant shingles are produced using specific matting “recipes” that give them these properties, and shingles that are more highly-rated for fire resistance are constructed with higher ceramic and stabilizer content.

In Summary

Choose the best shingles for any home by contacting an experienced asphalt shingle roofer and discussing the asphalt shingle products they recommend!

Roof services are costly, so when a homeowner needs to hire a roofer, getting their money’s worth is important.

Unfortunately, all too many unsuspecting homeowners are taken advantage of each year by fly-by-night roofers and storm chasers who are around long enough to collect their money but then gone once the problems in their work start showing up.

The best way for homeowners to avoid situations like this and get the most out of their roofs is to only hire local established roofer companies.

Take note of these important reasons why local roofers are the best option for a great roofing installation!

Established Community Businesses - Local roof services that have permanent businesses within a community instill a sense of confidence among their customers as being reliable and trustworthy. Local business owners depend on their reputations to be able to stay in business, so they are much less likely to provide bad service.
Familiarity With Local Building Codes - Local roofer companies are educated about the local building codes and safety codes, as they are required to adhere to them every day. A local roofer is also much more likely to be able to spot code violations when working on a customer’s home and recommend the right repairs for this reason.
Knowledge of Local Climate Conditions - When homeowners seek advice on roofing materials from their roofers, it is essential that they are talking to a contractor who is familiar with the local climate. A local contractor with a neighborhood business becomes an expert on which are the best materials to install in their community to provide the best protection against the elements.
Available When Needed - Roof services permanently located in the same community are always available to serve their community when needed, including when roofing emergencies happen. Out-of-town companies cannot be depended on in the same way.
There To Handle Roofing Problems - Most importantly, when hiring local roofers, homeowners get the peace of mind that if problems develop with the work they have done, contractors will still be there to assess the problem and correct it as necessary.

Dependable local roof services rely on holding the trust of their local customers for their businesses to prosper.

Doing this requires them to treat every homeowner as if they are their only customer.

When searching for the best roofer company to call for repairs or a new roof, homeowners must always make sure the one they choose is a local business owner that cares about their community and providing great service for community members.

Month: December 2022