Asphalt shingle roofing remains one of the most popular roofing options on the market in the Fairfax to Springfield Northern Virginia area, Maryland, and Washington DC. Let’s take a closer look at this leading roofing material and see why.
Asphalt Shingle Styles
Not so long ago, if a homeowner opted for an asphalt shingle roof they were relegated to a monotone flat-looking design that was less than appealing for most homes. Today, however, manufacturers have made great progress in the areas of asphalt shingle style and color delivering to homeowners a wide array of roof replacement choices that can be cost-effective as well as handsome alternatives to older roofing materials such as wood, slate, or clay. And if you live in the Fairfax to Springfield Northern Virginia area, Maryland, or Washington DC where many homes are of executive style, you’ll be glad to hear there are a myriad of asphalt shingles appropriate for these types of homes.
If you’re trying to match the look of a former (roof replacement) or desired (new roof) roofing material while keeping costs down … consider the following guidelines:
Shingle Color:
Choose a shingle color that approximates the color of your former (or desired) roofing material. For example, if your trying to approximate the look of a wood shingle … choose a natural brown asphalt shingle color. Or, if the slate-look is your desired outcome, choose a slate-grey asphalt shingle.
Shingle Style:
Next, choose a three-tab or dimensional shingle (described below) that approximates the architectural look of your former (or desired) roofing material. Manufacturers have some great asphalt shingle designs that mimic wood shingles, cedar shake, clay, and even slate roofing. These are great choices for new roofs and roof replacements alike.
Asphalt Shingle Design
Here are some basic terms you’ll need to understand as you decide on the appropriate asphalt shingle style for your particular home:
Individual Shingles…
Are just that … single shingles that are installed one-by-one. Obviously that takes more time and thus cost. However, the upside is that there are some distinctive styles available for custom applications that give the homeowner more latitude when designing a specialized roof.
Dimensional Shingles…
Are designed to deliver a three-dimensional effect, and hence are also called architectural shingles … and sometimes laminated shingles.
Three-tab Shingles…
Are also designed to yield interesting visual effects yet appear as though they are individual shingles. Also called strip shingles, these bundled shingle strips make for an easy installation.
Interlocking Shingles…
Do just that … interlock to provide more resistance to wind shear.
Asphalt Shingles Composition
All asphalt shingles utilize asphalt as the durable protective surface material. The ‘variations’ have to do with the core material over which the asphalt is bonded. There are several different core materials on the market.
Fiberglass Shingles
Contain a fiberglass core or base. This lends the resulting asphalt-fiberglass shingle (composite shingles) several desirable properties, namely lightweight, durable, fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and great longevity.
Organic Shingles
Contain an organic core or base usually made of a combination of wood and paper products. This type of shingle is somewhat outdated due to the superior technology on the market today.
Other Benefits of Asphalt Shingles
Not only are asphalt composite shingles affordable and durable, they also come in a wide array of styles and colors due in large part to their popularity. They also generally come with a warranty that lasts anywhere from two to fifty years. However, asphalt composite roofing is susceptible to dramatic temperature variations which can cause warping or other damage over a long period of time. To mitigate this risk, make sure you choose a high quality fiberglass composite shingle such as XT25 or XT30 from Certainteed.
And of course, no roofing material can be expected to perform at its best unless it is installed properly by a reputable roofing contractor. Check out my former blog post on Three Steps to Finding a Great Roofing Contractor. … Yes, WE offer roofing services and would love to have your business, so check us out as part of your due diligence. Here’s what our customers have to say about our services.
Here at American Windows & Siding of VA, Inc., we enjoy helping people. If you have any questions about roof replacement, composite roofing, asphalt shingles, new roof systems, or any other roofing questions, feel free to contact us anytime and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions!
