Roofing Renovations: The 3 Types of Asphalt Shingles You Can Choose From

When’s it time to replace your roof?

The average life expectancy for an asphalt shingle roof is about 20 years. However, the lifespan of your roof can go up or down, depending on the type of shingles you have. While some shingles are made to withstand the test of time, others are more prone to curling or cracking.

If you’re thinking about getting some work done on your roof, then this article’s for you. In this guide, we’ll review the 3 different types of asphalt shingles, and we’ll dive into the pros and cons each option has to offer.

What’s the best type of shingle for your home? Read on to find out!

Choosing Between the Different Types of Asphalt Shingles

Primarily, there are 3 different types of asphalt shingles. Luxury shingles, dimensional shingles, and 3-tab shingles are the most popular choices. All of the asphalt shingle types in this article are made using similar materials, however, they’ll serve your roofing needs in slightly different ways.

When it comes to choosing what type of shingles right for your home, it’s helpful to consider these 3 things:

• Your budget
• The life expectancy of the material
• Weather Conditions

What the weather’s like where you live? The harsher the weather conditions, the more durable your shingles will need to be. To find out what shingles are recommended for the weather in your area, it can be helpful to get the opinion of a professional roofer.

However, before you do any hiring, check out this site https://prr247.com/15-tips-for-choosing-the-best-roofing-company/. By taking the time to hire an experienced, reputable roofing company, you’ll be able to rest assured that your home’s in good hands.

1. 3-Tab Asphalt Shingle

One of the best parts about 3-tab shingles is that they’re easy to install. The wide design of the 3-tabs helps them cover a large area, while helps speed up the installation process.

Next, 3-tab shingles also have trimmable edges, making it easy to create a uniform look. You’ll also find that 3-tab shingles are inexpensive when compared to other types of shingles. If you live somewhere with extreme weather conditions, 3-tab shingles might not be the best choice for your home.

For instance, if you live somewhere that’s prone to high wind gusts that exceed 60 mph, you’ll need stronger shingles. Finally, the low-cost shingles aren’t as durable as other shingle designs, and they’re more prone to curling

2. Dimensional Asphalt Shingles

Next, dimensional shingles are another affordable roofing option. Other terms you may hear used for dimensional asphalt shingles include names like architectural shingles or laminated shingles. You’ll find that dimensional shingles are more attractive than standard 3-tab shingles, and they come in different styles and colors!

Using dimensional shingles, you’ll be able to give your roof an aesthetic textured look that lasts year after year. You can use dimensional shingles for almost any type of roof, and they’re particularly great for hiding structural imperfections. Another benefit is that their widespread popularity makes dimensional shingles easy to find in stores.

Strongly constructed, asphalt shingles are less likely to warp, and they’ll easily withstand harsh weather conditions. However, you have to pay extra special attention to the maintenance of your roof when you use dimensional shingles. The notches in dimensional shingles are susceptible to mildew and algae growth.

To avoid mildew from building up, you’ll want to hire a pressure washing company to clean your roof once a year. Lastly, dimensional shingles are more expensive than standard asphalt shingles, so budget accordingly.

3. Luxury Shingles

The third option you can opt for is luxury shingles. While luxury shingles are more expensive than 3-tab or dimensional options, they’re well worth the extra cost. Here are some of the most popular luxury shingle colors:

• Red
• Brown
• Gray
• Black

Available in a variety of colors, and shapes, luxury shingles are durable and long-lasting. Hurricanes, hail, snowstorms, and more, luxury shingles can handle whatever type of weather conditions you throw their way.

Signs of Roof Damage

While some types of roof damage are easy to spot, others are more tricky to see if you don’t know what you’re looking for. For starters, you should look at the ceiling in every room of your home. If you see any water stains on the ceilings there’s likely a leak in your roof.

Next, standing by the street, look up at your roof. Do you spot any bald areas on your roof? Missing shingles means your roof’s exposed to all of the weather elements, so you’ll want to replace them as soon as possible.

Next, inspect your soffits and fascia. When there’s missing wood around the soffits and fascia, it could be the result of water damage along the roof.

Moving on, you’ll want to check your gutters. Do you see a lot of asphalt granules? When there’s a lot of rain or extreme heat, it can weaken your asphalt shingles, causing them to shed their granules.

The shingles left behind are bare and ineffective at protecting your home. Finally, look for any shingles that are curling up at the edges. Curled shingles are usually also brittle, which means they’re going to break any day.

Another issue with curled shingles is that they’re unable to lay flat against the roof. As a result, the curled shingle can’t protect your home from high winds, or rain.

Secure the Roof Over Your Head

Which of the 3 types of asphalt shingles are you going to use? If you’re simply replacing a few existing shingles, the choice is already made for you. However, if you’re doing a complete roof makeover, you have the fun opportunity to change the entire look of your home!

If you’re still not sure what type of shingle’s the best choice, then it’s time to get a professional opinion. Call a local roofing company today and ask for a free quote for each of the asphalt shingle types. Read another one of our articles for more home improvement tips.