When it’s time for a homeowner to choose a material for their new roof, asphalt shingles are often the default choice. However, there are important considerations that homeowners should take into account before blindly choosing them.
Today we’ll take an honest look at asphalt shingles, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That way, you’ll be ready to make an informed decision about your next roof.
The Good
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material and for good reason. Let’s take a look at the top three reasons why:
- Affordability – Asphalt shingles offer the lowest upfront cost. Homeowners can enjoy significant savings with asphalt shingles compared to premium alternatives such as slate or metal roofs.
- Variety – Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors, styles, and textures. This lets homeowners achieve anything from a traditional to a unique look for their home.
- Ease of Installation – Asphalt shingles are generally easier to install and repair than other roofing materials. That means they go on faster with lower labor costs. Homeowners get their new roofs with minimal disruption to their daily lives.
Of course, no roofing material is perfect. There are downsides to asphalt shingles as well.
The Bad
While affordable, asphalt shingles come with some drawbacks that homeowners must carefully consider.
- Shorter Lifespan than Premium Options – The simple truth is that more expensive options are more expensive for a reason. They offer more durability and longer lifespan than asphalt shingles.
- Susceptible to Severe Weather – especially true here in Florida, asphalt shingles are prone to damage from high winds. When sustained winds lift up the edge of the shingle, it breaks at its attachment point.
- Requires Regular Inspections – while all roofs should be inspected at least once a year, asphalt shingles really should have a good inspection after severe weather events.
Pro Tip: Not all asphalt shingles are created equal. To combat the harsh weather here in Florida, we recommend and use the Duration Series Shingle by Owens Corning. These shingles use a woven fabric structure and SureNail® technology for up to 2.5x the wind resistance of their top competitors.
The Ugly
While any roofing material will have its pluses and minuses, asphalt shingles also come with some cosmetic concerns as well. In short, once your asphalt shingles have been through a few rounds of severe weather they can look, well, ugly.
- Cracks – asphalt shingles are prone to cracking, both cosmetic and structural. This is due to the natural expansion and contraction that happens to asphalt as temperatures increase and decrease.
- Bare Spots and Blow-Offs – when a shingle is blown off of your roof during severe weather, it can often lead to a cosmetic effect that looks even worse than it is.
- Fading, Staining, and Algae – Asphalt shingles can and will fade under direct sunlight. Unfortunately, they can also fade unevenly, making cosmetic problems worse. Likewise, they are prone to stains from debris and algae growth, both of which negatively impact the appearance of your home.
So how do you keep your asphalt shingle roof looking its best? The best way to prevent cracks, bare spots, and blow-offs is to use a shingle designed to withstand severe weather, like the Duration Series by Owens Corning.
For staining and algae growth, the key is knowing the proper way to have your roof cleaned. Proper cleaning technique will fight algae growth and eliminate stains without causing the granule loss that can lead to fading.
Putting It All Together
There’s a lot to consider when deciding on the roofing material for your next roof. Asphalt shingles are the cheapest, most cost-effective roofing material, but there are more expensive options that can be better for longevity and durability.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons before making your decision. Be sure to take into account your budget, your ability to provide regular maintenance, and the weather conditions your roof is likely to experience.
If you’d like help making this decision, or you’d like more information about the roofing material options available to you, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ve been helping folks like you make better roofing decisions since 1976.
We can’t wait to hear from you!