Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Manufacturers are able to produce a variety of products that span all shingle types due to modern technical processes and the dynamic qualities of asphalt. These include algae-fighting shingles, shingles that are more resistant to damaging hail, and cool roof color technologies that reflect the sun’s heat to keep homes cooler and lower air conditioning costs. Choosing a specialty shingle may potentially lower your insurance premiums, depending on your area.. Furthermore, asphalt shingles are naturally fire resistant, making them an excellent choice for locations prone to wildfires.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

Strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles are the three main types of asphalt roofing shingles available today. To choose the proper product for your home, you must first grasp the differences between each type of roofing shingle.

Asphalt shingles are also known as composition shingles and asphalt shingles (or composite shingles). Both of these names refer to the same object. The shingles are a composite product manufactured from a fiberglass or cellulose mat, asphalt, and mineral granules, hence the word “composition.” Wood shake shingles and clay tiles, on the other hand, are manufactured of a single substance.

3-Tab or Strip Shingles

Strip shingles are the oldest and most basic asphalt shingles, sometimes known as 3-tab shingles (according to the shingle’s cut) or just strips. They are built of a single sheet of asphalt and have a relatively flat surface, giving them a slate appearance. They weigh and cost less than other asphalt shingles since they are constructed from a single layer. Strip shingles were the most common roofing shingle on the market prior to the introduction of designer shingles in the 1980s. Strip shingles are most commonly utilized today by home builders who build low-cost homes or by homeowners who are replacing roofing shingles on homes that already have strip shingles on the roof.

Dimensional Shingles

Dimensional shingles, often known as architectural or laminate shingles, are the most common asphalt shingles. These materials are made up of two or more layers of asphalt that are fused together to create a thicker, more multi-dimensional appearance, and are designed to look like wood shaking and natural slate roofing. Dimensional shingles are usually heavier than strip shingles and come with a better warranty. Landmark® shingles from CertainTeed are a model for dimensional roofing shingles.

Luxury Shingles

Luxury shingles are the highest-quality laminated shingles on the market, with a distinct aesthetic and functionality that distinguishes them from dimensional shingles. Luxury shingles are gorgeous to look at, displaying the best quality, hue, and dimensionality, in addition to being shingle “heavyweights” that offer premium weathering protection. These materials are the most accurate representations of old-fashioned wood shake and quarry slate roofing available.

Maintenance Tips

A poorly maintained roof system will not withstand the test of time. Repairs and a complete replacement will be required much sooner than necessary. Fortunately, you have the ability to be proactive and care for your asphalt shingles in a responsible and careful manner. This is how you do it.

Conduct a routine inspection

Have your roof inspected on a regular basis by a roofing professional to identify present and prospective concerns. He’ll look for blue algae and plant debris, as well as broken shingles, a compromised chimney, soffit, and other signs of biological growth. Make sure your roof is inspected at least twice a year by an expert. This inspection should ideally take place in the fall and spring. The roofing professional will make sure that minor issues are addressed before they become major issues.

Cleaning on a Regular Basis

Cleaning your roof on a regular basis is one of the most critical aspects of roof maintenance. Remove any debris from the roof and the systems that are connected to it. This includes cleaning all dirt from roofing, flashing, eavestroughs, vents, skylights, solar panels, and other areas. To boot, clean out the down spouts and ventilation. Use a trowel to remove leaves and other debris from the gutters so that water can flow freely through the downspouts.

While some of this “roof housekeeping” can be done from the ground or at a low level, a competent roofer will need to climb up onto the roof to eliminate all potential sources of harm. Do not attempt this on your own. Rely on our skilled roofers to complete the job correctly.

Keep an eye out for nearby tree and plant growth.

Trees, shrubs, and other greenery can all grow out onto your roof and do significant damage. Tree branches that are close to or touching your roof should be pruned. Remove any other plants that is dangling from the roof. If in doubt, get a professional to trim the spots that are particularly difficult to reach.

Eave Protection

To prevent waste buildup and make maintenance easier, some homeowners install metal mesh grate covers.

Get Those Roofing Repairs Completed As Soon As Possible

If your roof inspection reveals problem areas that need to be repaired, don’t wait to have them fixed. You won’t have to worry about the structure’s ability to protect you from the elements if you enlist the help of our roofing experts to do your asphalt shingle roof repairs. Minor roof repairs that are completed thoroughly and on time will help to prevent more costly and serious repairs in the future.

Installing valley flashing due to corrosion and repairing flashing around the roof vent, chimney, and other installations are examples of routine roof repairs. To avoid drooping and rusting, gutters and downspouts may require caulking, patching, or the application of roofing cement. Asphalt shingles that are cracked, missing, or buckled are frequently fixed with cement or nails.

Give Your Roof an Once-Over Every Now and Then

From the Ground, You Can Identify Certain Roof Issues Check your roof every now and then to see whether one or more shingles are missing. If you notice a shingle or two missing, don’t dismiss it as “just the way things are.” If you ignore this situation, it could do significant damage to your roof. Your home is exposed to the elements when a shingle is missing. Missing shingles also allow wind to knock away areas of the roof that would otherwise be safe if the missing shingles were replaced.

Installation Procedures

Work from the left to the right, from the bottom to the top.

If you watch any professional roofing team in action, you’ll notice that they all follow the same pattern. Working from the eave line to the peak, start at the bottom left corner of a roof surface and work your way up to the top. When a group of workers is putting shingles, one normally starts by installing shingles along the eave overhang, while others start filling in the field from the bottom up.

Flash the Valleys and Seams with Care

Almost 75% of roof leaks occur in valleys where two roof planes meet, as well as around chimneys and other roof penetrations, so make sure to install roof flashing in these places before starting the job. Blind alleyways, in which the shingles overlap from one plane to the next and conceal the valley, may be more durable and water-resistant than flashed open valleys. Aluminum flashings are recommended for asphalt shingles. The thickness of the metal should be at least 0.019 inches.

If you’re working on a roof that already has flashing, ensure sure it’s in good shape and isn’t leaking. Instead than relying on existing flashings while re-roofing, most professionals choose to install new flashings.

Before moving on to the next shingle bundle, complete the previous one.

Before moving on to the next bundle, use up all of the shingles from the previous one. Colors may vary somewhat between bundles, therefore use them one at a time to avoid having different colors on the roof in the same location. If at all possible, make sure that all of your bundles are from the same “lot” of production, as this will reduce color variances.

Check the Roof Deck

A sturdy, robust plywood sheathing or OSB deck is required for a decent roofing installation (oriented strand board). Make sure the sheathing is in good form, and if you’re replacing it, make sure it’s approved for use as roof decking. If you’re going to use plywood, make sure it’s labeled CDX, which means it’s construction grade plywood designed for outdoor use. If you’re going to use OSB, ensure sure it’s been approved by the APA (Engineered Wood Association).

OSB is not allowed to be used as a roof sheathing in several hurricane-prone areas.

At valleys or rake edges, use full tabs.

Install three-tab shingles whenever possible, with tabs at least four inches wide falling over metal valleys or rake edges on the side of the house. Try to utilize full-size shingles in a closed valley (one without metal flashing) for better results, as this will prevent nailing too close to the centerline.

Correctly attach the ridge cap shingles

Make sure each cap shingle is fastened with two nails, one on each side of the peak, if a ridge is covered with shingles rather than a roof vent. On the ridge, 13/4 to two-inch-long nails are typically utilized.

Use the Correct Nails

The nails used to secure asphalt shingles must be specifically designed for the job. Galvanized steel or corrosion-resistant roofing nails are the preferred attachment nails. Verify this against local building code requirements as well as the manufacturer’s suggestions.

Use the Correct Nail Technique

Asphalt shingles can be secured with as few as four nails per shingle, but six nails per shingle should be used if installed in a location prone to heavy winds. A nailing line is a line of sealant substance on asphalt shingles that is meant to bind with the next row of shingles. Your nails should be just below, not inside, or above, this line. Do not nail the shingles too high or too low to reduce the wind lift pressures operating on them. Never nail through the shingle’s sealant strip, since this may obstruct water movement over the roof.

Ensure that nails are driven straight, not angled, to prevent the sharp edges of the nail heads from cutting into the asphalt shingles. Ensure that all fasteners penetrate the wood deck at least 34 inches or entirely through the sheathing.

Shingles Should Be Stored Correctly

When storing shingles on the job site, keep them dry. It’s fine if it’s covered with a plastic tarp; it’s even better if it’s kept in a garage. Keep asphalt shingles away from steam pipes, radiators, and other heat sources.

When it comes to double-layer roofing, be cautious

Where permitted, you can save money by putting a new roof directly over old shingles rather than removing them. In other regions, however, where total tear-off is required, this may be forbidden by code. Also, ensure sure the existing roof is flat and in good condition, since any flows or irregularities in the old roof will show up in the new covering of shingles. Never apply more than two layers of paint.

Wherever possible, use an ice and water membrane.

An ice and water membrane is a rubberized fabric that is impervious to water and serves as a secondary barrier against moisture infiltration. This is a fantastic choice for lining valleys and the first few feet of the roof deck along the eaves. It may also be required in areas where winter temperatures are below freezing and ice dams are a possibility.

Considerations for High Winds

It’s a good idea to utilize shingles with a reinforced nailing strip region in locations where severe winds are probable. Wind uplift resistance is increased up to 110 mph using these strips. When installing shingles in high-wind areas, a minimum of four number nine 1 1/2-inch hex head screws should be utilized.

Repair Options

Roof repair for asphalt shingles comes in a variety of forms.

Shingles that are missing

A expert can quickly replace shingles that are missing or severely damaged. A pack of new shingles could cost around $20, but labor costs roughly $45 to $65 per hour*.

Roof flashing has been damaged

This is a more involved asphalt roof repair since it may require the replacement of plywood or the application of a new roof tar patch to remedy the leak. This type of repair can take up to $1,500 and take more than a full day to complete.

Water that has accumulated

A common flat asphalt roof repair is dealing with gathering water. It’s usually a symptom of a drainage problem and will require assistance from a professional roof repair business at a cost of between $200 and $400 on average* following a storm or severe downpour.