A home is perhaps the most important investment in modern society. That is why you must give it your best to ensure it’s lovely and secure. You can do that by choosing the right roof and using different types of materials, such as asphalt shingle roofing material.
Several roofing materials exist for San Antonio homes, but the most popular one is asphalt shingles. Ask any expert, and they will first recommend an asphalt shingle roof before talking about anything else.
However, that does not mean you just install asphalt shingles before understanding what they are. So, in this guide, we will help you by exploring the pros and cons of asphalt shingles for your roof. This should help you make a more informed decision for a better home.
What Does Asphalt Shingle Roofing Mean?
When you choose a roofing material, it’s crucial to know what that roof will offer in the long run. That might mean understanding what the material is made of.
An asphalt shingle roof uses materials made from a semi-solid type of petroleum called asphalt. This material keeps it waterproof and ensures it lasts for a long time.
As the most popular roofing material, you will find asphalt shingles on 80% of roofs. They are also known as composite singles, with various raw materials used to make them more durable and functional.
Mostly, these roofing materials are made from fiberglass or cellulose mat. Mineral granules are then added in to make them more durable.
The result is small, flexible, rectangular pieces of material. They are installed on the house in overlapping rows, protecting your home from weather conditions.
One of the main pros of asphalt shingles is variety. Your roofing contractors may recommend three-tab, designer, and architectural shingles.
Types of Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Before we look at the pros and cons of asphalt shingles, let’s consider the types you can choose from. There are three main types, as mentioned above.
Architectural shingles
If you are looking for thicker and more substantial roofing materials, go for architectural shingles. They make a layered, well-textured, and beautiful layout. They are also more durable than other options, which makes them even more popular.
They may be relatively more expensive to install than 3-tab, but these asphalt shingles cost less. This is because they can last for up to 20 years without any problems while withstanding winds of up to 120mph.
3-tab shingles
When you see shingles with a flat appearance and look more like traditional shingles, you should know they are 3-tabs. It’s important for your roofing contractor to tell you what you can expect with these shingles. First, they are the cheapest on the market, which also means they are not very functional.
These shingles can last for about 15 years when well cared for. Also they can also withstand winds of about 60mph. Because of these pros, not make homeowners in San Antonio want to have them on their roofs.
Designer shingles
Are you looking for the highest-quality asphalt shingles? Consider the designer options. They are the largest of the three and appear like slate when installed on the house.
Even though these are more expensive, these are the shingles you need to improve your home’s curb appeal with a long-lasting impression. When properly installed, these shingles can last for up to 30 years.
Pros and Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Pros of asphalt
Now you know why so many homeowners and roofing contractors recommend asphalt shingles. They come in several varieties, are easy to install and improve your home’s appearance.
Here are some of the pros shingles promise:
No Fuss Around Asphalt Shingles Installation
When you are looking for the most affordable roofing material, always consider how easily that roof can be installed. And that is one of the major advantages of asphalt shingles – easy to install.
These light and flexible materials don’t require specialized labor to install, unlike tile or metal roofs, which are more complex. That is one of the main reasons most roofing contractors choose asphalt shingles.
The Most Affordable Roofing Material
Are you starting a roofing project on a tight budget? You may want to find the most affordable materials. Concerning economic and design views, asphalt shingle roofs promise the best of both worlds.
Since they are easy to install, you can expect to pay much less on labor costs than you would for other roofing materials. Even for that, the initial cost of buying these materials is much lower than other materials.
Variety
Another factor that makes shingles a popular roofing material is the abundance of colors and styles. We understand that the roof represents close to 40% of the home’s curb appeal, which is which why the right materials should be chosen.
Shingles come in various choices, with black and brown as the most common options. You can also find them in gray, brown, and red tones. Some, especially dimensional shingles, come in the mix-and-match options.
Easy maintenance and repair
An affordable cost of roofing installation extends beyond the initial costs. A material that is easy to maintain and repair can make your work much easier and affordable.
You will never have to worry about overly expensive roof replacement projects that are rampant across the global roofing market. Repairs will not give you a new roof, but they will give it a better chance to stand against the elements. You even replace damaged shingles yourself if you know how to go about it instead of spending on a roof repair service.
Excellent appearance
Have you ever seen how luxury shingles appear on the roof? It’s perhaps the most beautiful roofing you will ever see. And that is all because asphalt shingles offer an incredible appearance for your home.
You can make the entire roof customizable to your specific need and stand out from the neighboring homes. Also, asphalt shingles tend to offer more attractiveness than what you will get from metal or other materials.
Fire resistance
Aside from being the most economical option, asphalt shingles offer recommendable fire resistance. It will hold on for several hours before catching fire.
It can also stand against strong winds if properly installed. That alone makes shingles great roofing options in areas prone to fire and with extreme conditions. You can trust your local roofing pros at Bison Roofing for the best of these roofs.
Pros of Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Even though asphalt shingles offer all the advantages, most homeowners will not ignore their cons. These include the following:
Less satisfying environmental impact
Choosing the right material goes beyond just what makes your home look great. It also comes down to the environmental impact. This is where asphalt shingles have failed terribly.
In short, they are not eco-friendly. The Environmental Petroleum Agency reported that the U.S. makes about 11 million tons of waste from asphalt shingles.
Low insulation value
Asphalt shingles are not the best choice for many homeowners who are looking for more energy-efficient roofing options. Even though there are several roofing types to choose from, each seems to offer relatively the same results.
So, if you are concerned about energy efficiency from an environmentally friendly roof, you may want to rethink asphalt shingles. New roofs or periodic maintenance can improve this efficiency, but it might not be enough.
Prone to weather damage
The cities in the PNW are often faced with high winds, hot sun, and heavy rains. Such weather conditions can be overwhelming to asphalt roofs, especially the low-cost 3-tab.
Architectural and designer options perform better, but they are not as effective as the most expensive materials. You will, therefore, not find them effective if you are concerned about strong winds and hail damage.
Susceptible to algae growth
Asphalt shingles may seem the most cost-effective, but they might be even more costly in the long run. Issues of algae and moss growth on asphalt shingles have been the most threatening. It takes extreme measures to keep them out, especially during the wet months, and keep your house safe.
Falling debris does not only break shingles faster than other options, but it’s also the reason for the green intruders on your roof. You will need to invest heavily in roof maintenance to keep them safe.
Period maintenance is required
With such budget-friendly material, it would only make sense if it lasted for a long time without too many issues. That is not the case with asphalt shingles, which require regular maintenance. This can take a lot from the homeowner, both physically and financially.
Moss and algae growth when the homeowner decides to ignore maintenance. You will need to spare enough time and money to give your roof the best attention.
Conclusion
When it comes to roofing in San Antonio, using asphalt as the most common type is not news. However, it matters that you hire the most competent team for the job. And that is where Bison Roofing comes in. Call us today for more information on asphalt shingle roofs or to book our services.