Asphalt shingles are the number one choice for roofing in North America for good reason. They offer versatility, weather resistance, and much more. If it’s time to replace your roof, it’s worthwhile to consider the benefits of asphalt shingles for your home. After all, the roof may be the most important part of your home, as far as function goes. If your roof isn’t working, everything beneath it is at risk. Here’s why you should choose asphalt shingles over other materials for your new roof.

1. Versatility

Asphalt shingles can cover many different angles, shapes, and forms. That means that they work with almost any type of roof, from cross-hipped to Dutch gable. No matter how large or complicated your roof is, you can trust that asphalt shingles will cover it all seamlessly. There are slope requirements, as there is a minimum slope for asphalt roofing. However, almost all homes in North America are suitable for asphalt shingles.

2. Design Variety

Asphalt shingles are available in a range of rich architectural styles. 3-tab shingles are traditional and work with many home styles. Dimensional and premium shingles are also available in multiple styles. In fact, some mimic the look of other roofing materials, like slate and cedar shakes. This way, you can get the design advantages of these materials without their drawbacks.

3. Color Options

Asphalt shingles are available in a huge range of colors. If you need to preserve your home’s curb appeal or improve it before a sale, you need to be able to pick the right shade of roofing material that can work with the rest of your home. The wide selection of asphalt shingle colors available makes that possible. Other roofing materials just don’t offer as many colors.

4. Cost-Effective Quality

Perhaps the top advantage of asphalt shingles over other roofing materials is that they still offer high performance for a lower cost. Asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing materials upfront, and they still last long enough to provide the most value over the long term. Those who need more weather, fire, or wind resistance can find those features in performance shingles, without incurring too much extra cost.

In the long run, metal roofing, slate roofing, shake roofing and other roofing options just don’t offer the same value for the cost of asphalt roofing.

5. Energy-Efficiency

You may not have guessed that energy efficiency would be a benefit of asphalt roofing, but it is. When you purchase an asphalt roof, your roofer installs a whole system, including underlayment, that can make your home more energy-efficient.

You can purchase specially designed asphalt shingles in light, medium and dark tones that reflect a higher amount of the sun’s infrared radiation, thereby reducing the temperature of the roof surface. In large metropolitan areas, if the majority of roofs are shingled with these ‘cool’ shingles, the temperature in the city can run a degree or two lower on hot sunny days.  This in turn may allow residents to use less energy to cool their homes.

6. Impact-Rated  

Depending on where you live, your home may have to endure severe weather and hailstorms. Specially modified asphalt shingles are available to resist the impact of these storms on your roof. Look for impact-rated shingles.

Shingles make and take an impact with their excellent offering of high-definition colors plus they feature a Class 4 impact resistance rating. While this rating isn’t a guarantee of impact resistance it may enable you to obtain a reduction in your insurance premium, if available in your area.

7. Withstand High Winds

High winds can be a problem almost everywhere in North America. You want your roof to stay put. If the wind lifts them up, water can sneak in underneath potentially causing a leaky roof. Innovations in asphalt shingle manufacturing mean it’s a better product today than it was years ago.

Some manufacturers offer high-wind limited warranties on even higher wind speeds. Have your roofer check the manufacturer’s application guidelines and warranties if high winds are a concern where you live.

8. Class A Fire Rating

Some asphalt shingles feature the highest fire rating, Class A. When installed as part of a complete roof system, they offer superior protection against penetration and spread of fire in the case of external fire hazards.

9. Sound Protection

One underestimated advantage of a shingle roof is its ability to insulate sound. The composition of asphalt roofing shingles in a complete roofing system offers sound protection from external noise. Asphalt shingles can be significantly quieter than metal roofs, depending on the design, and much quieter with large downpours and hail.

10. Algae-Resistance

Algae is a growing problem in the roofing industry. Many roofs, especially those based in wood, allow algae growth, which looks like a black stain across some, or all of your roof. If this is a concern, look for shingles that have built-in algae-resistance. These shingles inhibit blue-green algae growth, protecting the color and appearance of your roof.

Ready to Choose Your Shingles?

The advantages of a shingle roof are clear. Still, you want to choose the best asphalt shingles for your roof from your many options. To help you sift through different shingles, contact a roofing professional through a locator. They will help you choose the right shingle for your budget, home color, and weather conditions.

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