Did you know that the most common type of residential roofing material that is used in the United States is asphalt shingles? If you are considering changing your roof or you are wondering “how long do asphalt shingles last?” we are here to answer your question.
Keep reading to learn more about their lifespan and the different types of asphalt shingles you can choose from.
How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last?
The truth is that it varies. The answer depends on the design that you choose for your home. Something else that will factor into the lifespan is the quality of the installation because poor installation means that you will have a sloppy underlayment and shingles that come off during high winds.
Lifespans can greatly vary between 10 years up to 50 years. The three most common designs are strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and premium shingles.
Strip Shingles
This type of asphalt roof has a single layer. The most common variety of strip shingles are a three-tab shingle. You can expect this type to last you between 10 to 25 years.
Dimensional Shingles
With this type of shingle, you have two or more layers making up your roof. These are heavier than strip shingles and can last you between 30 to 50 years.
Premium Shingles
Usually, this design looks like natural slate roofs or like shake roofs and therefore comes with a higher price tag. With that higher price tag, you will also get a longer lifespan. A premium asphalt roof can last you up to 50 years with proper maintenance.
Different Asphalt Materials
Depending on the manufacturer you will have different materials making up your asphalt shingles. Some manufacturers will use an organic mat. The organic mat is made from paper, wood fiber, or cellulose.
This mat is saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof and then another layer of asphalt is added for extra protection and as an adhesive layer for the granules. The granules added help protect the shingles from the weather and the sun. A few pros of organic shingles is that they use renewable resources and they are also more flexible in colder water.
Another material used to make asphalt shingles is fiberglass. The manufacturer adds asphalt that has mineral fibers into the fiberglass mat. Fiberglass asphalt shingles are more waterproof than the organic ones and they are also more fire-resistant.
If you do not know which material is best for your location and your home, it is best to consult with a reputable professional such as Ragsdale Roofing And Innovations LLC.
Ready for Your New Asphalt Roof?
Now that we answered the question “how long do asphalt shingles last?” you can make an informed decision whether or not to install asphalt in your home or not. One thing is for sure – asphalt shingle design has come a long way in the last few years.
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