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Learn About Asphalt Composition Shingles in Denver, CO
What Are Composition Shingles?
Composition shingles are shingles made of multiple materials. They are usually composed of three layers: asphalt, glass fibers, and mineral granules.
Technically, all modern asphalt roof shingles are composition roofs. However, many still refer to them as “composite” because they are made of asphalt and granules. Some older composite shingles were made of asbestos, which is no longer allowed in most countries.
Modern shingles are made of fiberglass coated with asphalt and granules. Some newer versions of asphalt shingles use recycled plastic pellets rather than granules. These shingles are commonly referred to as “green” shingles.
Many years ago, manufacturers produced a different type of composition shingle made of cellulose and asphalt. This type of shingle was called “cellulose,” even though it wasn’t made entirely of cellulose. Cellulose is a plant-based material that does not contain much iron, unlike steel. So while it looks like a metal shingle, it isn’t.
Asphalt Shingles
The term “asphalt shingle” refers to a broad category of roofing products manufactured by many companies. They are typically constructed from thin sheets of paper impregnated with asphalt and cement. Asphalt shingles come in three basic styles: modified bitumen, single ply, and laminated.
Modified Bitumen Shingles
These are the most common types of asphalt shingles used throughout North America. They are produced from a mixture of asphalt and aggregate, such as gravel, sand, or crushed stone. Modified bitumen shingles vary in thickness from 0.5 inches to 2 inches and are generally installed over a substrate of felt paper.
Single Ply Shingles
In addition to being thinner than modified bitumen shingles, single-ply shingles usually feature a textured surface. This texture helps prevent water from penetrating the underlying layers of the roof. Single ply shingles are often referred to as “wood shake,” although no actual wood is used in their construction. Instead, they are composed of multiple layers of fiberglass matting impregnated with resin.
Laminated Shingles
Also known as TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), laminated shingles contain several layers of materials bonded together under heat and pressure. These include a core layer of fiberglass mats, a protective layer of plastic film, and a weatherproof membrane. Laminated shingles are commonly used in areas where high winds are prevalent.
Asphalt Shingle Basics
Fiberglass shingles are made of a woven base mat, covered with an asphalt coating, and topped off with ceramic granules that protect them from ultraviolet radiation. They are lightweight, durable, and easy to install. However, some question whether they are worth the extra cost over traditional wood shakes or clay tiles.
The main difference between fiberglass and organic shingles is the type of asphalt used. Organic shingles use petroleum-based materials, while fiberglass ones rely on natural gas. Both types provide protection against weather damage and fire, but organic shingles tend to weigh more and require more maintenance.
Types of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most common roof covering used throughout North America. They come in many varieties, including single-, double-, triple-, and four-tab shingles. Triple- and quadruple-tab shingles differ primarily in terms of how many tabs there are along their bottom edges. Single-tab shingles are typically found in homes built before 1978. Double-tab shingles were introduced in the 1970s and became very popular because they allowed homeowners to save money while improving the appearance of their roofs. Today, double-tab shingles remain among the most affordable options.
Asphalt shingles are roofing materials commonly used in residential construction. There are many styles of asphalt shingle roofs, each with a unique look and feel. These styles range from traditional colors to modern patterns and textures.
Traditional Color Options
Traditional color options include red, gray, white, black, brown, tan, yellow, green, blue, purple, orange, and pink.
Modern Pattern Options
Modern pattern options include geometric shapes, stars, stripes, and other designs.
Texture Options
Texture options include smooth, textured, and granular. Smooth texture options include slate, stone, brick, concrete, and wood grain. Textured options include sandstone, cedar shake, stucco, and clay tile. Granular options include gravel, crushed glass, pebbles, and paver stones.
The Lifespan of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 10 to 30 years. But why such a wide range?
The answer lies in climate and weather. Asphalt shingles have worked fine in some parts of the United States for decades. However, in others, where extreme heat and cold are common, asphalt shingles may fail much sooner than the manufacturer guarantees.
Asphalt shingles can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on location and exposure to the elements. There are many reasons why asphalt shingles might wear out faster or slower than expected. Some of the most critical factors include:
• Weather conditions. Extremely hot days and nights, especially in summer, cause asphalt shingles to expand and contract. This causes microscopic cracks and fissures to develop. These tiny cracks allow moisture to seep into the shingles and freeze, causing further damage.
• Environmental conditions. Roofs exposed to intense sunlight, wind, rain, and snow may experience greater wear than those sheltered from harsh weather.
• Age. Older roofs are more likely to require replacement because of age-related deterioration.
• Maintenance. Regular inspections and maintenance help keep asphalt shingles in good shape. If you notice problems such as buckling, peeling, or missing granules, it’s best to call a professional to inspect your roof.
Cost of Asphalt Shingle
The average cost of asphalt shingles varies depending on where you live. For example, according to the latest data from the US Census Bureau, the national median home value is $250,500, while the national median household income is $53,046. Based on those figures, the average homeowner could expect to pay anywhere from $0.80 to $1 per square foot for asphalt shingles. But even within a single state, prices vary widely. For instance, the average cost in North Carolina is $0.95 per square foot; in New York, it’s $2.00 per square foot. In Denver, Colorado the average cost of Asphalt shingles ranges from $0.96 to $1.80 per square foot.
Roofing System
While choosing the right type of roofing material is essential, it is just one component of a complete roof system. A roof isn’t just a flat surface; many different roof systems exist. Some roofs use metal, while others use wood. There are even some roofs that use insulation. All of these elements work together to protect against weather conditions.
In addition to providing protection, a roof provides shelter for you and your family. Your roof protects you from rain and snow. It keeps heat out during the winter months and helps keep cool air inside during the summer months. A properly maintained roof is essential to protecting your home and protecting it from damage caused by extreme temperatures.
The best way to know what type of roof you want to be installed on your home is to ask your local contractor. He or she can tell you what materials make up a particular style of roof, including asphalt shingles. Once you know what type of roof your contractor recommends installing, he or she can help you determine whether a roof repair or replacement is needed.
Traditional Shingles
Traditional shingles are also known as 3-tab shingled or strip shingles because there are three tabs on each side of the shingle. This style of shingle was originally used in the 1940s and 1950s.
They are the oldest type of roofing material available today and are still popular. They are typically manufactured from wood pulp, cellulose fibers, and asphalt. Asphalt shingles are cement, sand, gravel, limestone, clay, and water. These materials are combined and heated into a liquid state to make asphalt. When cooled, it becomes a solid mass and hardens.
The first asphalt shingles were tiny compared to what we see today. Shapes ranged from rectangular to triangular. Some roofs had several different sizes of shingles to accommodate varying slopes. For example, a flat roof might use large triangles, while a sloped roof might use smaller ones.
Shingle installation was also done manually. A worker would nail the shingles onto the roof one piece at a time. This process took considerable time and effort.
In the 1960s, shingle manufacturers developed a way to seal the shingles themselves. These shingles became self-sealing and did not require a manual application. They were easier to install and required less labor.
If you need shingles installed or any roofing service for your home, contact the professionals at Roofing Systems! Call us at 720-227-9228 today!