High Quality Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation In Or Near Skokie, IL
There is more than one type of asphalt shingle material and the one that is most preferred for quality and longevity is premium shingles, which are also the most expensive which last between 25 and 40 years for most homes. Architectural shingles last between 15 and 25 years and 3-tab shingles last between 10 and 20 years. It would also be a good idea to find out the warranty of whatever material you end up choosing--either directly from us or on the manufacturer’s website.
The level of ability to withstand winds also varies by the type of asphalt shingle. 3-tab shingles can handle winds gusting between 60 and 70mph, architectural shingles can deal with 110 MPH winds, and premium shingles are able to handle 130 MPH wind. Premium shingles are overall the best at weatherproofing of the three, also handling hail and rain the best, but if weatherproofing and durability are your primary concerns there are better options to consider.
Asphalt Shingles: Pros and Cons
Advantages
Asphalt shingles are affordable though cost varies by material. 3-tab are less expensive than premium shingles for example but as already mentioned, are less durable and weather resistant than premium shingles.
Homeowners can often make minor repairs to asphalt shingle roofs without having to replace the entire roof.
Asphalt fiberglass shingles provide protection against fires
Asphalt shingles can mimic the aesthetic of slate tiles and wood shakes.
Disadvantages
Asphalt shingles may seem like an affordable investment up front, but they require more frequent repairs and replacements over the course of time.
Asphalt shingles are less weatherproof than other materials, and if it becomes significantly damaged from a storm, roof replacement will be necessary.
3-tab asphalt shingles will need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years in hotter climates that provide a lot of direct sunlight, so this isn’t as relevant in the Skokie area.
While asphalt shingles are technically recyclable, they usually will end up in landfills for construction materials.
Algae or mold can grow on areas of the shingle roof that is exposed to shade, which will mean the roof will need to be cleaned or receive algae treatment in order to get rid of the problem.
How Did The Use of Asphalt Shingle Roofs Begin?
Asphalt Shingles were created in America at the very beginning of the 20th century in 1901. They became popular only a decade later in 1901 and by 1939 over 11 million squares of shingles were created. A campaign that was made by the US National Board of Fire Underwriters sought to terminate the use of wood shingles on roofs due to the material’s issue with fire safety which helped promote and grow the popularity of asphalt shingles in the 1920s.
The base material for asphalt shingles had a widespread change in the 1920s during the Great Depression. Initially the base material was cotton rag, but the price of cotton rag surged during this time period, and studies were done to test what base materials could serve as cheaper functional substitutes, and this ultimately helped to expand the market and production of asphalt shingles. So, while the driving force for the change in materials was not because of functionality or effectiveness, but rather cost, due to the extensive studies performed by the Asphalt Shingle and Reserve Committee alongside the National Bureau of Standards, there was no drop off in performance that was found. Thus, the market for Asphalt Shingles was successfully expanded without functionality becoming a liability.
Today, asphalt shingles can usually fall into two categories: fiberglass and organic. Organic shingles are usually composed of a base material of cellulose, wood fiber, and waste paper, whereas fiberglass is made up of glass fibers that are coated with asphalt, which allows them to resist water very well. The fiberglass variety is the one that is far and away the most used form of asphalt shingles in the US today. Fiberglass shingles are a more affordable, flame-retardant, versatile and relatively low maintenance material.
The base material of asphalt shingles has changed over the years, but from its inception, to its rapid growth in the early 20th century, to being the most popular material in the US today, there is no doubt that asphalt shingles are the staple material of US roofing.