When you look for a new roof, you want to make the best choices possible. You want your roof to be durable, long-lasting, and attractive. When it’s time to replace or install a new roof, asphalt shingles are likely your default choice. Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing types used in the country because they are reliable and trusted to meet your primary needs while balancing costs.
You make an informed decision about the investment you are about to make in your home’s roof, and we want to help you get there. So read on to learn more about the benefits of a shingle roof, how our GAF Certification helps us with your options, and what to expect from your asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan.
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What Are the Benefits of an Asphalt Shingle Roof?
Most contractors default to asphalt roofing shingles for trusted and reliable roofing. These shingles have been in use for over a century and have earned the trust of roofers by providing solid benefits to your home and the contractors themselves. Some of these benefits include:
- Durability: Asphalt roofing systems comprise multiple layers of fiberglass, asphalt, and grit, which together form a complete layer of protection for your roof.
- Strength: High winds and other damaging weather can majorly threaten roofing. Asphalt is one of the few roofing types that can easily withstand harsh conditions.
- Energy Efficiency: The proper set of asphalt shingles can add to your home’s insulation, preventing heat loss in the winter and improving cold-air retention in the summer – which can lower energy costs throughout the year!
- Aesthetics: While many consider an asphalt shingle roof ‘standard,’ many styles and color choices are available. This factor allows you to customize and choose the perfect roof for your home to stand out among the cul-de-sacs!
- Long Life: Asphalt shingles can last upwards of 15 to 30 years before needing replacement, providing you with ample return on investment.
- Ease of Installation: Installing asphalt shingles is less complicated than other roofing types, meaning less potential for errors and repairs during your roof’s installation.
These benefits are just the start of reasons why asphalt shingles could be the most appropriate choice for your home’s type of roofing. These shingles can come in various styles, shapes, and constructions, meaning you could get even more benefits from a specific brand or type of asphalt shingle. Call us today, and we can explain the ins and outs of asphalt shingles, providing you with a complete picture of what to look for in your future roof!
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What Are the Types of Asphalt Shingles?
You and your contractor might choose one of four significant types of asphalt shingles for your roofing job.
These are also known as 3-tab or strip shingles because the 3-tab strip is used for nailing the shingle in place. These shingles are the oldest type and have been used longer than any other type of asphalt shingle, though improvements have been made over time.
These shingles are made with two layers of asphalt and fiberglass rather than one, which provides greater weather resistance. The double-layer of architectural shingles, sometimes called dimensional shingles, gives them more depth when they lay on your roof.
Also called ‘designer shingles,’ this type of asphalt shingle is made to look like other roofing materials, like slate tile or cedar shakes. Because premium shingles have more variation in size, they can give your roof a unique look. Note that they can be more complex to install.
This category simply notes added benefits to the shingle’s design – like wind or hail resistance. You might see this label applied to other types of shingles, such as ‘performance premium’ shingles. Look for this category if your home is in a hail or wind-prone area.
You may also hear about ‘accessory’ shingles, ‘hip’ or ‘ridge’ shingles, or ‘starter strips.’ There are several technical shingles that are usually just shingles made for specific areas of the roof. With thicker and more difficult-to-shape shingles in production today, roofers will often use these niche shingles rather than cut a shingle into a specific shape.
How Much Roofing Is Needed for a Roof Replacement?
Because home roofs come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, most of us in the roofing industry measure roofing in squares. A ‘roofing square’ is a 10×10 foot area, or 100 square feet, measurement. So, we usually estimate the amount of roofing needed by finding the area of each roof section and then dividing it by 100 for a simpler number. Each roofing square needs between three and four packs of shingles, depending on the style and brand, which gives us our estimate for the amount of roofing required.
Because a roof is not a flat plane, sometimes sharper angles can add to the estimated amount of shingles needed. Many other small details can inflate or deflate this estimate, which is why a roofer needs to be on-site to get an accurate number for your estimate. Call us today, and we can take the guesswork out of the process for you!
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How Much Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost?
The cost of a complete asphalt roof will vary depending on the size of your roof, the cost of materials, and the skills of the laborers you hire. According to Forbes, the average price of a 2,000-square-foot roof is around $12,500. Asphalt shingles are among the longest-lasting and most durable roofing types today, making them attractive for homeowners who want to know they will get the most out of this sizable home investment.
Because we recognize that getting new roofing is stressful, we always offer to have a long discussion about price points, cost-to-benefit, and warranty offerings. Above all, we want to work with you to get your roof settled and in place. The best way to know your cost is to call us for a free estimate.
GAF Certified Roofing
As GAF Certified™ contractors, we have undergone roofing certification to provide you with the best possible service and offer the best material warranties. GAF is one of the leading manufacturers of asphalt shingles in North America, and they work alongside roofers across the country to ensure that only the most qualified workers handle their products.
Our GAF Certified™ Contractor status proves our dedication to providing you with the best materials, service, and standards possible. Additionally, GAF only authorizes certified contractors to offer their GAF Weather Stopper™ System Plus Ltd. Warranty.
Call Independent Construction and Experience a Custom Roof!
Our primary goal at Independent Construction is customer satisfaction. For every job we undertake, we commit to getting it done correctly, on time, and on budget. This commitment to our client happiness is why we have been the go-to contracting company throughout the Northeast Pennsylvania area.
Don’t settle for just any roofing company that uses asphalt shingles. Choose a contractor who does everything they can to be the best roofing company around – from certifications to staying on top of industry developments. Call us today and let us showcase why we’re one of the best local roofers near you!
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