Roofing in Eagan MN | How do asphalt shingles work?
How do asphalt shingles work?
Asphalt shingles are a great choice for many homeowners. They keep your home protected from the elements and their options for styles, colors and textures give you plenty of variety. Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material that offer many advantages over other types of materials such as wood and tile. However, it is important to understand how they work so that you can better maintain them and know when it is time to receive roof repair or roof replacement. If you want to learn more about roofing in Eagan MN, then look into how Capstone Bros. Contracting can help you and your home today.
What are asphalt shingles?
Before we can explain how asphalt shingles work, it’s important to know what they are. Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material that’s made from a combination of asphalt and other materials. Asphalt shingles are made to be durable, so they’re often used in areas that see lots of weather. They can stand up to high winds, heavy rains and even hail storms without being damaged. Home owners often pick asphalt shingles to protect their roofs because they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Asphalt shingles are sometimes called “cobbles” or “tiles,” but they’re all the same thing.
How do asphalt shingles work?
When it comes down to it, asphalt shingles are made from a combination of asphalt, mineral granules and fiberglass. These materials are mixed together and heated until they become liquid. Then, the mixture is poured into molds in the shape of tiles or “cobbles.” Once the mixture cools into its final form, the shingles are ready to be installed on roofs. This product is made of a base material (cellulose fibers or glass), which has been saturated with asphalt and then covered in opaque ceramic-coated granules. Asphalt shingles became popular in the early 20th century by being both fire-resistant and economical, but they’ve since become known for their aesthetic qualities, along with their durability, longevity, and overall value.
Pros of asphalt shingle roofing
-They’re affordable. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material, so they’re fairly cheap to purchase and install.
-They last a long time. Asphalt shingles can last up to 50 years, which means homeowners don’t have to worry about costly repairs for decades.
-Easy to install, repair, and maintain. Asphalt shingles are easily installed and repaired by the average homeowner. However, if you don’t have the tools or experience to install or repair them yourself, it’s often quite affordable to hire an expert to do so for you.
-Durable and long-lasting. Asphalt shingles can last a long time with the help of a yearly inspection from a local roofing contractor.
-Widely available in a variety of styles, textures and colors. Asphalt shingles are highly customizable, and can be easily styled to match the aesthetic of your home
-Cost-effective and durable. For their price point, asphalt shingles offer the most durable option for most homeowners.
-Provides excellent protection against hail, wind, fire, and water damage. No matter what climate you live in, asphalt shingles offer the protection to help you get through it.
Cons of asphalt shingle roofing
-Not very unique. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but most asphalt shingles are going to make your home look like most others on your block.
-Not very green. Asphalt shingle roofs are made from petroleum products, and the manufacturing process releases harmful pollutants into the environment.
-Can be a little louder when it rains. Compared to some other roofing materials, asphalt roofs are a bit noisier when it rains.
-Slower to install. This is mostly due to the fact that asphalt shingle roofs are quite heavy compared to other types of roofing materials. However, you might find that many alternatives to asphalt shingles take longer to install (at least, the ones that offer the same level of durability will). If you want to speed this process along, it pays to hire a reliable roofing contractor to help with installation.
Asphalt shingles are generally very durable–generally. But they can still be subject to damage from heavier than normal amounts of rain and snow, or from heavy winds packing extra ice and snow. Good home maintenance is necessary to protect your roof against such damage and keep your home healthy long-term. For example, in the spring it’s common for homeowners who live in more snowy climates to take their roof for granted after winter passes. They’ll eventually get around to checking things out and clearing away any excess snow–but if the snowpack is particularly heavy and deep, who knows how much damage could have been done to the roof’s underlayment and framing in that time! At Capstone Bros. Contracting, we’d be happy to help you and your home with our Roofing, Siding, Windows, and Storm Damage services. If you have any concerns about roof repairs or replacement, how to get your home ready for winter, or simply increasing your home’s value, contact Capstone Bros. Contracting today.