It used to be that if you wanted to pick the perfect example for a one size fits all product asphalt roofing shingles would have been an excellent choice. They were all basically made the same way and the only color choices you had depended on which color each manufacturer decided to make. That’s why in certain neighborhoods every single roof on each home found in them looked exactly the same. Since your home’s roof is the largest feature on it, having a roof that looked the same as everyone else’s certainly didn’t help your home’s look stand out from the rest.
Fortunately, those days are long gone; you now have more choices than ever when it comes to asphalt roofing shingles. Nowadays if you want to put on a new asphalt shingle roof or add a new layer of shingles on an older one; you will have many options when it comes to color, patterns and thicknesses. It definitely is a whole new world as far as asphalt shingles are concerned and we will discuss in this article all the different asphalt shingle choices that are available in the marketplace today.
Popular Types of Asphalt Shingles
We said you now have more asphalt shingle choices than ever, and we mean it. Just take a look at all the different choices you have in the types of asphalt shingles that are available in the roofing marketplace these days:
Standard 3-tab shingles
If you are more of a traditionalist and looking to save some money then there is no reason you should not stick with this oldie but goody shingle product. This is the one-size-fits-all asphalt roofing shingle that was mentioned. They are very easy to lay down and by far the most affordable asphalt shingle choice. These shingles should last 10 – 15 years before they need replacing.
One thing that has changed about standard 3-tab shingles is they now are available in a wide variety of color choices.
Fiberglass asphalt shingles
These shingles are basically just like asphalt shingles with one big exception. They have a fiberglass matt backing added to them. This fiberglass backing makes them less impacted by the suns powerful UV rays and also makes them more fire-resistant too. Fiberglass shingles are also much more durable than standard asphalt shingles.
Organic asphalt shingles
Are you worried about what effect your shingles will have on the environment once you take them off and dispose of them? Then you will definitely want to look into purchasing organic shingles. These shingles have less asphalt in them and more environmentally friendly ingredients such as wood chips, recycled cardboard, recycled paper and even cloth material. Be aware you will sacrifice a good bit of durability if you choose to use organic asphalt shingles.
Decorative/Architectural asphalt shingles
Do you love the look of decorative slate, tile or wood shake roofs but you simply don’t want to spend that much extra money on them? Well then you should consider looking into architectural asphalt shingles. These popular shingle types have distinctive patterns on them that make them closely resemble much more expensive roofing materials such as slate, wood shake and tile.
Some designer shingles instead of mimicking more expensive shingle types, will instead have distinctive patterns on them that give them a unique or 3-dimensional type look. Architectural shingles also come in a wide variety of color choices.
Other Asphalt Shingle Improvements
Not only have the looks of asphalt shingles improved but they are being made to last longer than ever before. Here are some of the reasons why:
Added thickness
One of the popular options on shingles these days is to purchase asphalt shingles that are slightly thicker. This extra thickness will do such things as make that particular shingle last longer and hold up better during periods of extreme heat and severe weather.
Improved ingredients
We already mentioned under the types of shingles that they now come with additives such as fiberglass backing that make them stronger, so they will last longer. But fiberglass is not the only new ingredient that is being mixed into asphalt to make shingles last longer than ever before. Ask your roofing contractor to see what special ingredients their shingles that they will use on your roof have.
Many color choices
Without a doubt asphalt shingles are available in more color choices than ever. They come in everything from earth tones to more vibrant colors which will really make your home’s roof look unique. You will be amazed at all the color choices that are out there once you get serious about finding the right asphalt shingle product to use on your home.
Consult With a Local Roofing Expert to Get the Best Asphalt Shingle Choice for You
It’s never a bad idea to talk with your local roofing contractor to see what the best asphalt shingle option is for you. Many times expert roofing contractors such as Beaverton, Oregon’s Evergreen Renovations & Roofing will even send a knowledgeable expert to inspect your home’s roof for free. Once the inspection is over they will discuss with you what they found and even write you up an estimate what it will cost to re-shingle your roof.
We always recommend calling a local roofing contractor because they generally have the best prices and the best customer service. It’s always nice to get that extra personal attention when having new shingles put down on your roof too. No matter what roofing contractor you call make sure you check out their references before you schedule with them. This is the surest way to hire a roofing contractor that will put your new shingles down on your roof so they turn out looking great and will hold up well for a long time.
With all of these asphalt shingle choices and improvements, there is absolutely no reason you can’t find a roofing shingle that perfectly accents your home’s roof and will last you 20+ years before you have to put new shingles on again.
