Asphalt Shingles Roof
An asphalt shingle is a type of wall or roof shingle that uses asphalt (petroleum tars and bitumens), primarily for waterproofing, though in the past few decades the accent has been on appearance, since asphalt shingles were primarily designed to be installed on pitched, visible roof surfaces. They are one of the most widely used roofing covers in North America because they have a relatively inexpensive up-front cost and are fairly simple to install.
Modern Asphalt Shingle technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. Gone are the old fashioned "organic," or wood fiber base 3 tab and tlock shingles; in their place are fiberglass based shingles formed of multiple layers, with metal oxide treated ceramic granules that reduce algae discoloration and mold growth, with mica and other components built in for facilitation of installation.
Tear offs are messy - there are literally tens of thousands of nails in each roof, especially in multiple layers and wood roofs. We take great pains to make sure we get each project cleaned up better than it was when we arrived. We have our own trash trucks, but also may use dumpsters and roll offs on a case by case basis, or if we can save the client some money. Just call 303.332.3107 to find out more!
3 tab Shingles
3-Tabs are essentially simple, flat rectangular shingles with a uniform tab shape and size, with 3 tabs per shingle. They use less overall material than Architectural Shingles, and are therefore lighter and lower cost. They are also thinner, and do not last as long or offer Manufacturer's Warranties as long as good Architectural Asphalt Shingles do. 3-Tab are still available for repairs, and in some parts of the U.S. they are still commonly installed on lower-value homes, such as those used as rental properties. However, they are declining in use and popularity in favor of Dimensional.
Dimensional Architectural Shingles
Dimensional, or Architectural Shingles are thicker and stronger than 3 tab shingles, due to multiple bonded layers of asphalt and fiberglass, with granules firmly embedded on the outer surface. Architectural/Dimensional shingles look better and more like traditional wood shingles, with a multidimensional look with more shadow created by the multiple layers. They come with much better wind warranties and longer manufacturer's warranties than 3 tab shingles, sometimes up to 50 Years, as in the case of Impact Resistant and some triple laminate.
Most Asphalt Shingles are still likely to be replaced after no longer than 24-30 years due to the high Ultraviolet and extreme temperature swings of Colorado, not to mention hail and wind. For the investment, Dimensional Shingles will look better, stand up better to the elements, and offer less potential for leaking (and the high costs of the damage that can come with roof leaks), typically for a longer period of time, than any other price comparable roofing product on the market. While 3-tab shingles typically need to be replaced after 15-18 years, Dimensionals can typically last 24-28 years maximum in this climate.
Impact resistant shingles
WHAT IS THE UL 2218 IMPACT RESISTANCE TEST? UL 2218 is the industry standard for testing shingles against the impact of hail. There are four different testing classes that are denoted by four different steel ball sizes, ranging from ¼" to 2". The steel balls are dropped at a range of 12-20 feet to impact the shingles at high speed, replicating the force of actual documented hail. The back of the shingle is then inspected for any cracking or visible signs of distress from the impact of the steel ball. The UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance is currently the highest rating in impact resistance. What makes the Malarkey, IKO, and other brands of dimensional shingles Impact Resistant? The quality of asphalt and the addition of plasticizing SBS bitumen polymers creates a superior, strong and flexible SBS product.
While many insurance companies will give a premium discount on a homeowners insurance policy for investing in impact resistant shingles, it is important to remember why manufacturers don't offer hail resistant warranties, even though they are selling a "hail resistant" product. NOTHING IS HAIL PROOF. A bad enough hail storm can destroy even the best roofs. There will never be accounting for all the variables of a hail storm: the size, shape, velocity or direction of hailstones impacting your roof at any given time.
Triple laminate shingles
CertainTeed has the corner on the triple laminate shingle in most markets, though other manufacturers offer variations. Some of the most attractive architectural roofing
shingles simulating real cedar wood shakes are CertainTeed's Presidential Shake® shingles. These shingles are quite thick, with random slots similar to real shakes.
Another unique architectural shingle design imitates the look of slate, such as CertainTeed's Grand Manor® shingles, without the weight issues that normally accompany those natural stone materials. These architectural roofing shingles do not require any additional engineered roof support as slate would, but they do require additional special components, and a highly skilled crew to install. The product's random colors and textures better accent steep roof planes, turrets, and gables features of old ornate or complex roofs, but won't last as long as the real deal. The product lines offer hip and ridge pieces that highlight a roof's many sections and complement the shingle.
Surprisingly, for how thick the triple laminate shingles are, which are intended to give more definition and shadow to the roof, to appear more like traditional wood shingles, they don't seem to be any more hail and wear resistant than a conventional shingle in our environment. However, from historical Downtown Denver buildings to high end Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village roofs, triple laminate shingles look great.
