Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Cost-Effective Roofing for a Modern Look
When it comes to roof replacement or installation, the material that dominates the market is asphalt shingles. Homeowners choose this material above any other for many reasons, the most common being its excellent price. No other roofing material can beat the availability and style selection of asphalt shingle roofing.
Aside from being cost effective, asphalt shingle roofing is beautiful and comes with wide selection of styles and colors that enables homeowners to create the design statement they want. This type of roofing is also durable when not exposed to sudden, extreme weather changes, and is very resistant to fire. These materials are also quite easy to install, reducing the overall cost of your new roofing even more, and asphalt shingles come with excellent manufacturer warranties that ensure reliable protection of your house.
While cedar shakes offer a more traditional, rustic look, asphalt shingle roofing provides a different, modern aesthetic. However, despite all of the qualities mentioned above, there are other advantages as well as disadvantages to consider when planning your roofing installation or replacement project.
Advantages and disadvantages of asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are a great alternative for a quick, easy and inexpensive roofing repair project. However, you should take the advantages and disadvantages of this material into account before making the final decision on the materials for your roofing replacement.
Advantages:
- Variety of style, texture and color choices. With the help of modern engineering, asphalt shingles can now be made to visually match more expensive roofing materials, and homes look great with asphalt shingle roofs.
- Price. Asphalt shingles is the most affordable roofing solution - tile, metal, cedar shakes or any other material can’t beat it’s cost.
- Ease of installation. Asphalt shingles are lightweight and very easy to install, further reducing the installation service cost.
- Excellent life expectancy. Despite its low cost, this roofing material can last 20-50 years when properly maintained.
Disadvantages:
- Weak in sudden weather changes. Sudden temperature changes can cause shingles to crack, break or wear more quickly.
- Can be damaged by strong wind and hail and require replacement because of natural damages before the lifetime of the roof is reached.
- Lack of attic ventilation can vastly reduce its life expectancy.
- Not environmentally friendly. Asphalt shingles are made from petroleum, which is why they are not exactly environmentally friendly. However, they can be recycled and used as a by-product for pavement.
- Cannot be installed on flat or low slope roofs.
As with any roofing solution, regular maintenance, inspections and, most importantly, correct installation can vastly extend the life of your new roof as well as ensure that your home, household and belongings are protected from the harmful effects of the elements. If you have doubts about which roofing materials are best for your house, it’s a good idea to consult with experienced roofers at VIS Exterior - we can advise you honestly and assist with anything that you may require when installing or replacing a roof. Simply call us at 630-230-8533 or schedule a free inspection and you will have all of your questions answered.
Types of asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles can be divided into three major categories:
Strip shingles are the most lightweight roofing shingles available on the market. They are designed to look like slate and have a very flat appearance on the roof line. Strip shingles used to dominate the market, but today they are only used by home builders on economy priced houses, and by homeowners as replacement for houses that already have this type of roofing.
Dimensional Shingles, otherwise known as architectural laminated shingles, currently dominate the roofing product market and are called the most popular roofing shingles in North America. This is a dual (or multi) layer product, and because of their engineering, these asphalt shingles provide a much thicker and richer multi-dimensional appearance on the roof line. Dimensional shingles are heavier than strip shingles, but come with much longer warranties. This type of roofing can last from 30 years to a lifetime when maintained properly.
Premium Shingles have a distinguished appearance and different functionality from dimensional shingles. These are usually laminated shingles and have design features that can mimic cedar shakes or natural slate. Premium shingles provide enhanced aesthetic benefits and may also have additional functional benefits, such as enhanced impact resistance or solar reflectivity that extend the life of the roofing system as well as provide increased energy efficiency for the household.
Asphalt shingle installation and replacement services
Asphalt shingles is one of the most popular roofing materials in North America. Aside from their stylish appearance and cost-efficiency, asphalt shingles are also very easy to install and replace. This feature makes them especially attractive to homeowners who often decide to take on a DIY shingle installation project. However, if it’s your first time installing a roof, it may be wise to at least consult a professional to get some tips, since most roof failure issues are related to improper installation.
Asphalt shingle installation and replacement is even easier when you trust your roofing needs to a reputable and reliable contractor. At VIS Exterior we know everything there is about both shingle and cedar shake roofing. Even if you were to call us in the middle of the night (we’d rather you don’t, though), we could tell you what nails are right for shingle roofing installation, what kind of roofing felt goes best with your selected materials and how to install the valleys, ridges and hips on your roof in a way that they don’t cause any leaking problems in the future. This is why we highly recommend choosing professional shingle installation contractors for your project as we can help you stay worry free while your house gets a new, beautiful roof.
We have been in business for over 20 years, and have completed more than 500 successful projects. Our clients refer to us as clean, careful and attentive roofing contractors, and we’re proud to have a 100% customer satisfaction record. If you don’t believe us, visit our testimonials page and see for yourself. These positive reviews are a result of our consistent, meticulous work, our ability to hear what you want and complete your project to the highest of standards.
In addition to our free estimates, we can also guarantee that the estimate you receive is accurate. Our price to quality ratio is among the best on the market, our pricing is honest and clear, and you always know what exactly you are paying for. The crew at VIS Exterior is professional, friendly, and creates a positive working environment. The policy of our company also ensures that maximum precautions are taken to protect the exterior and landscaping of your home, and our roofers always leave the worksite spotless at the end of the day. Our roofing installation and replacement services are designed to meet and exceed your expectations, and that is exactly what we hope to achieve when working with you.
Select the best asphalt shingle manufacturer for your roofing system
The market is full of brands that produce roofing materials, which means it can be difficult trying to decide which ones are best for your home. At VIS Exterior, we have worked with many different brands and have the inside scoop on what offers the best value for the money. We’ve developed a reputation as a go-to roofing contractor in part by using top-tier roofing materials.
GAF roofing shingles
GAF has been the leading brand for roofing materials for decades and around 20 percent of all homes in the U.S. are covered with GAF shingles. In fact, GAF developed a new roofing mat technology 10 years ago, which is so durable that the company offers a 50 year limited lifetime warranty on it. VIS Exterior has worked with GAF materials for years and we are impressed with the way it holds up.
CertainTeed roofing shingles
Many homeowners that set a high standard for roofing materials on their properties choose a trusted brand called CertainTeed. With more than 300 options to choose from, and quality standards that lead the industry, CertainTeed has you covered.Two of the most popular lines from this brand are Presidential and the Presidential TL series. CertainTeed is also known for offering industry-leading warranties.
Owens Corning roofing shingles
Owens Corning really started turning heads with its Surenail Technology, which contractors have used on many homes because it is designed to hold up under high winds. This company utilizes fiberglass in many of its products, including its Pink Panther line of insulation. Most asphalt shingles have a core layer that contains fiberglass and Owens Corning’s composite laminated shingles use a high grade fiberglass, offering durability.
If you have questions about which roofing materials are going to work best on your home, contact us at VIS Exterior, because we’ve worked with some of the best and we are excited to share our opinion with you.
Asphalt shingle roofing cost
There are many asphalt shingle roofing cost options available. A square of shingles can cost from $80 to $100 plus tax, depending on the texture, style and overall quality of the materials. To compare, cedar shakes cost about $160 per square on average. The square is an industry term, used to describe the size of the area that the materials cover, and one square equals to 100 square feet. So, if you’re looking for an affordable way to reroof your home, asphalt shingles are the cost-effective option.
Of course, these prices are for materials only - to know how much asphalt shingle installation costs in your area, contact your local roofer and ask them for an estimate.
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Contact your local roofers
Asphalt shingles look great on your roof. Make sure that your new roof is installed and maintained properly by choosing local experienced roofers at VIS Exterior. We believe in providing our clients with options, which is why we offer you a variety of asphalt shingles in many different styles and colors, and together we can work out a roofing solution that fulfills your needs and works within your budget.
With dedication to customer satisfaction, we make homes beautiful in DuPage County, Cook County, Kane County and Will County. VIS Exterior can give your house a full exterior makeover as we specialize not only in roofing, but also siding installation, windows replacement, gutter replacement and hail and wind damage inspections. Our crew is licensed, bonded, insured and fully qualified to attend to your project.
We offer free estimates to all of our clients, and a flexible financing program is available upon request to qualified households. If you want your project done professionally, affordably and fast, call us today at 630-230-8533 and let’s talk about roofing!
