Everything You Wanted to Know About Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Roofing

Asphalt shingle roofing is one of the most durable and cost-effective roofing materials. They are also easy and quick to install by a trained professional so choosing asphalt shingles can significantly reduce the costs of roofing installation. However not all asphalt shingles are equal. It’s smart to learn a few things about asphalt shingles to make sure you get a fair deal before you sign the contract.

You Will Get What You Pay For

In some cases, you may not have a large budget so a lower price quote might be the thing that catches your eye. A roof is a huge investment so cost being a primary determining factor, means choosing asphalt shingles is a way to save money. Remember this is your roof, it protects your family and where you live so you should never choose the cheapest shingles your roofing contractor offers you. Shingles do come in a variety of price ranges.

Cheap materials are never built to last. They cannot hold up the sun, temperature changes, high winds, or hail storms seen in Colorado. It is worth it to pay a little extra so that you know you are covered no matter what nature throws at you.

You can also request asphalt shingles that have a special rating like those with a class IV hail rating. So if you experience heavy hail, this level of rating is just as tough as concrete tile and metal roofs when it comes to durability!

Asphalt Shingle Roofing Guarantees are Important to Know

Just like paying extra for quality products, you can pay a little more for roofing materials with a longer guarantee. 

Asphalt shingles often come with a guarantee of 20 to 50 years so it’s usually worth the money to invest in a longer guarantee upfront, instead of having to buy a whole new roof right after a shorter warranty expires.

Asphalt Shingle Styles Vary To

Did you know that asphalt shingles fall into one of three categories?

  • Three-tab shingles- are the simplest style made. They are made by overlapping strips of rectangular asphalt tiles that have been cut. Although they are the least expensive, many consider these quality shingles on a budget.
  • Dimensional shingles are more expensive but a better choice once installed. They come in a variety of shapes and many color variations so they can be a great way to improve the look of your home. 
  • Interlocking shingles are installed differently, in fact, they are installed one shingle at a time. However, when they “interlock” they can provide outstanding resistance to both high winds and other extreme weather events. 

Don’t be afraid to read over the warranty terms carefully, ask questions and understand all aspects of your new roof before you sign your contract. If you would like to learn more about the various types of roof materials that work best in Colorado, contact us today!