Charleston Roofing and Exteriors Blog

How Shingles have changed and why they are still a good choice

Written by Charleston Roofing | Aug 23, 2022 3:43:26 PM

Shingles have been a popular choice for roofing for decades. For many homeowners, shingles are an affordable and durable option for protecting their homes. However, the materials used in shingles have changed over time and there are some important things to know about these changes before you decide on your new roofing material. In this article, I'll explore the history of asphalt shingles, how they've changed over time and why they're still one of the best choices available today. There is also a wide range of options available when choosing asphalt shingles, including wood shakes made from several types of wood or clay tiles. These can be made using cement or concrete mortar with the look and feel of authentic clay tiles!

Roof Shingles Types

Asphalt shingles are made from a variety of materials, the most common being fiberglass or organic matting. Fiberglass shingles are made by combining glass fibers with asphalt to create a tough and durable material. Organic matting is made using paper or wood fibers that are impregnated with asphalt. These two types of shingles offer different benefits, with fiberglass shingles being more fire resistant and organic matting providing better insulation. There are also a number of different styles of asphalt shingles available including 3-tab, architectural, and designer.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles are also known as laminated or dimensional shingles. These shingles are made by bonding two or more layers of material together to create a thicker and heavier shingle. Architectural shingles provide greater durability and wind resistance than 3-tab shingles and often have a longer warranty.

There are many choices of roofing material

There are many choices when it comes to roofing materials. Asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular, but shakes and tiles have also gained popularity in recent years.

If you're thinking about adding a new shingle roof or replacing your current one with asphalt shingles, we've got some important information for you! In this article, we'll cover some of the basics of asphalt shingles and why they're such an excellent choice for covering your home's exterior.

Asphalt shingles were once a dominant roofing material.

Asphalt shingles were once a dominant roofing material. They still are.

A lot has changed in asphalt shingle technology over the years, but there are still plenty of good reasons to choose them for your next roof project.

First and foremost, they're durable and they're affordable. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle is between 20 and 30 years. That's why we recommend them as a top choice for homeowners who want a low-maintenance roof that doesn't break the bank—and who don't want to deal with leaks or other issues in the future. Plus, asphalt shingles come with longer warranties than some other materials do: depending on which brand you choose, you can get up to 50 years' worth of coverage against defects such as warping or cracking!

Shingles are still a good choice for roofing.

Shingles have changed a lot over the years, but they're still a good choice for roofing. They are affordable, easy to install, and durable. You can choose from many styles, colors, and textures of shingles that will fit with your style of home or even work with other materials on your house like brick or stone. Shingles also make it easy for you to repair any damage that occurs over time with their ability to be patched up using asphalt patches which not only blend into the original color but also help prevent leaks from occurring again in that area. And finally, because they are made from recycled materials they can help reduce our carbon footprint while also helping us protect our environment!

Asphalt shingles have changed over time.

Asphalt shingles have changed over time. They're now more durable and energy efficient, environmentally friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and fire resistant.

Shingles now have longer warranties.

In the past, shingles came with a limited 20-year warranty. Nowadays, manufacturers have begun to offer much longer warranties—some even up to 50 years or more. The longest warranty length can be found with CertainTeed’s Duration Shingles, which are available in 25-, 30-, and 50-year options. Other brands offer comparable long-term coverage for their products as well: CertainTeed also makes an industry-standard 30-year warranty on its Smart Shingles, and GAF offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of its roofing materials and products (although some subtle variations exist between different types of shingles).

That said, there are other factors besides the product itself that affect how long your roof will last: what kind of climate you live in; whether or not you live near saltwater; if your house is built on solid ground or filled with cinder blocks; whether or not you maintain your property regularly—these all have major impacts on how long any given system will last before needing replacement.

Types of Roof Shingles

Luxury Asphalt Shingles

The most popular type of roofing shingles, asphalt roofing shingles are made of a fiberglass mat that is coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. They are also available in different thicknesses and levels of durability.

Pros: Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing options, and they are easy to install. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles to suit any home.

Cons: Asphalt shingles are not as durable as some other roofing materials, and they require more maintenance than other options.

Metal Roof Shingles

Metal roofing shingles are made of aluminum, steel, or copper. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as standing seam or architectural. Metal roof shingles are lightweight and easy to install, and they offer good protection against fire and wind.

Pros: Metal roof shingles are durable, fire-resistant, and easy to install. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons: They are more expensive than other options, and they can be noisy during rainstorms or hailstorms.

Composite Shingles

Composite shingles are made of a variety of materials, such as asphalt, wood, slate, or clay. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. Composite shingles are easy to install and offer good protection against fire and wind.

Pros: Composite shingles are easy to install and are available in a variety of colors and styles. They offer good protection against fire and wind.

Cons: They are not as durable as some other roofing materials, and they can be more expensive than other options.

Architectural Asphalt Shingles

Also known as laminated or dimensional shingles, these are made of a fiberglass mat that is coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. Architectural asphalt shingles offer good protection against fire and wind.

Pros: They offer good protection against fire and wind. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons: They are more expensive than other roofing materials, and they require more maintenance than other options.

Rubber Roof Shingles

Made of recycled tires, rubber roofing shingles are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. Rubber roof shingles are easy to install and offer good protection against fire and wind.

Pros: They are easy to install and offer good protection against fire and wind. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons: They are not as durable as some other roofing materials, and they can be more expensive than other options.

Laminate Shingles

Made of a fiberglass mat that is coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic granules, laminate shingles are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. Laminate shingles offer good protection against fire and wind.

It is often compared to the much similar strip shingle types.

Pros: They offer good protection against fire and wind. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons: These laminated shingles are more expensive than other roofing materials, and they require more maintenance than other options.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are made of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity. They are available in a variety of colors and styles, such as 3-tab or architectural. Solar shingles are easy to install and offer good protection against fire and wind.

Pros: They are easy to install and offer good protection against fire and wind. They are also available in a variety of colors and styles.

Cons: They are more expensive than other roofing materials, and they require more maintenance than other options.

Genuine Wood Shake Shingle.

Genuine wood shake shingles are a popular choice for many homeowners. They look like traditional wood shingles, but they are actually much more durable and long-lasting than real shakes.

  • Not made from real shakes. Real shakes are made from split tree trunks and consist of the outer bark and inner heartwood. Genuine wood shake is made from synthetic materials such as fiberglass or plastic, which provides a better alternative to real shakes due to its durability.
  • Not made from real wood shingles either! Unlike true asphalt shingles, genuine wood shingles are not made with asphalt or plastic—they're composed entirely of recycled hardwoods (such as pine) that have been ground down into an easily consumable pulp form and pressed together into sheets called "board". This makes them much lighter than regular asphalt shingle material while still maintaining their durability so they can be installed on any kind of roof without having to worry about them falling apart over time!

Spanish Clay Shingles.

This roof shingle is a clay mixture that has been fired and made into shingles. The firing process makes them much more durable than other types of wood shingles. Spanish Clay Shingles are good choices for high-humidity areas, as they tend to be very weather resistant. They can also withstand quite a bit of rain; however, they may not hold up in areas with heavy winds or snowfall.

Spanish Clay Shingles are available in many different sizes, but they typically come in three different thicknesses: 6", 8", and 10". The 6" shingles are the most popular style because they offer plenty of protection without taking up too much roof space or weighing down the roof unnecessarily (which could cause structural damage).

Concrete Tile Shakes.

Concrete tile shakes are a great choice for many homeowners. These durable, long-lasting, and fireproof tiles can be used on roofs and walls, and they're waterproof. Concrete tiles are also eco-friendly. They're easy to install, which makes them an attractive option for DIYers who don't want to hire a contractor or pay expensive labor costs.

Cement Tile Shakes.

Cement tile shakes are made of the same materials as cement siding, but they are formed into a thinner and more flexible shape. They're then applied to the exterior of a house using an adhesive that contains polyvinyl acetate (PVA). The PVA dries clear and provides a strong bond between the tiles and your home's surface.

Cement tile shakes have many advantages over other types of siding—but there are some drawbacks too. They're generally more expensive than wood shakes or shingles, for example; however, this can be offset by their durability and resistance to weather damage. Cement tile is also less likely than a wood shake or shingle to warp or crack when it's exposed to extreme temperatures over time because it doesn't absorb moisture like wood does (which makes it just as good at resisting rot). If you live in an area where hurricanes or other storms are common occurrences during certain seasons—and especially if you want something that will last longer than most other siding options—cement tile might be right for you!

Asphalt shingles continue to be a popular choice, thanks to their durability and low cost

Asphalt shingle roofs continue to be a popular choice, other than fiberglass asphalt shingles, thanks to their durability and low cost. They are easy to install, making them an ideal option for do-it-yourselfers. Unlike clay tiles or slate shingles, asphalt shingles can be easily maintained by most homeowners without any specialized knowledge or tools.

Conclusion

Shingles are still a great choice for roofing, but there are other options available if you’re looking for something different. Asphalt shingles have changed over time and now offer longer warranties and more choices in color and texture. Whether you choose to install asphalt shingles or another type of roofing material, knowing all the facts about your options will help make an informed decision about what kind of roof is right for your home.

Want to find out more about what is the best material choice for your home, please feel free to contact us, we are your roofing experts!