What Are Roof Shingles Made Of
Getting to know your roof is a great idea. There are so many styles of roofs available to homeowners that it is important to know what type you have on your home. You will want to know this information so that you can make an informed decision with regard to a roof replacement or repairs that might be needed. Some homeowners opt to change the style of their roofs altogether. Get to know what your roof is made of. Start with the basics. What are asphalt shingles made of? They are made of fiberglass, asphalt, granules, sealant, and a release film.
Let’s take a look below and learn more about asphalt shingles.
What Are Roofing Shingles
Most homeowners do not pay much attention to their roof or what it is made of. It is a good idea to understand what your roof shingles are made of. Knowing this information can help you understand why a new roof could be necessary after about ten or so years. Roof shingles are made of materials such as wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, and composite materials.
Those composite materials are fiber cement or asphalt shingles. In some cases, you will also notice ceramic roof tiles. Roof shingles are overlapping and rectangular in shape. These materials will break down faster due to the amount of water that they have to displace away from your home. Let’s take a look below at what most roof shingles are made of.
How Are They Made
Roof shingles are made in a mill factory setting. This is due to the number of materials and chemicals used to create a rectangular roof shingle. Let’s take a look at the manufacturing process and materials used to make one asphalt roof shingle.
- Fiberglass – resin, binders, and glass fibers are connected together to create a fiberglass-based mat. Generally stored as large rolls and rolled out when it’s time to produce the roofing shingle
- Asphalt – oxidation takes place by blowing air through hot asphalt to increase the asphalt viscosity. It is an oil refining product that is processed to perform at a high degree. Mineral powder is added to the asphalt to create a binding layer that is added to the top and bottom layers of the fiberglass mat.
- Granules – hard rock that is broken down into a fine powder and then colors are added. You can also have added algae-resistant granules added or a special reflective granule that is created to keep the energy of the sun off your home.
- Sealant-laminate is used on multi-layer shingles to bond them with each other during production. A thermally-activated asphalt sealant is used to connect the shingles to your roof. The sealant is made to activate during high various temperatures. This locks the shingles into place so that winds and rain do not blow or wash them away. The sealant also keeps them weather-resistant.
- Release film – release film is applied to keep the shingles from sticking to each other while in the package. Once they are removed from the package and installed on your roof, they no longer have a purpose.
This type of shingle is a flexible building material that is easy to install a shingled layer with asphalt coating to the roof pitch and roof decking.
How Much Does It Cost
When it comes to replacing your asphalt shingled roof, the costs will vary based on the size of the roof. The national average for an asphalt shingled roof ranges from $6,000 to $17,000. Most standard roofs are approximately 3,000 sq feet. Also, the cost for installation can range from $175 to $550 per square foot.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you have an understanding of what asphalt shingles are made of, you can make an informed decision about replacing them. Learn about how often you should replace your roof. Depending on the type of materials used on your roof will determine how long it can last.
Next, before hiring your local home inspection team and professionally licensed roofing contractor, review your roof inspection checklist. This allows you to stay on top of the inspector and roofing contractor to ensure that the roof is properly inspected.
Lastly, while you are having your roof inspected, also get your gutters looked at. In some cases, the weather changes can add weight to your gutters that force them away from the home. If you notice that the gutters are pulling away from the house, they will need to be emptied out and re-connected.
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When Do I Call A Professional
When you are needing to install a new asphalt roof or have some repairs done, calling on the right licensed roofing contractor is important. Hiring a reputable roofing contractor that can complete your roofing installation in a timely manner is the key. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. Not only can the inspection team take a look at your roof, they can also inspect the rest of your home for any other repair needs. Also, your home inspection team can recommend a reputable professionally licensed roofing contractor.
Conclusion
The world of roofing is flush full of roofing contractors. However, choosing the wrong one can cause you to have some major home repair needs down the road. Start with a wind mitigation inspection to determine if your roof will hold up against the elements. Then higher a licensed roofing contractor to complete the work. Reach out to Liberty Inspections for your roof needs during a home inspection in the Western, KY, Fort Campbell, KY, and Middle Tennessee areas.
