Why Are Shingles A Good Choice For Your Roof?

Asphalt shingles have been the roofing material of choice for residential homes for decades. They offer a myriad of benefits, including affordable costs and availability in a variety of impressive colors and styles which suit any architectural design.

Although metal roofing is quickly gaining popularity on the residential roofing scene due to its durability and aesthetics, it hasn’t hit some parts of the country, such as Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island. You can find it in the north, like New Hampshire, but it’s relatively more expensive, sometimes double the price of asphalt shingles.

Some of the outstanding benefits of asphalt shingles include:

• Affordability – Asphalt shingles are generally less expensive than other roofing materials such as tile, slate, metal, and wood shakes.
• A variety of styles and colors – You can find asphalt shingles in a wide range of styles, including 3-tab, premium, and architectural styles. Architectural styles particularly give your roof dimension with your preferred style while premium styles allow you to customize your home’s roof in a variety of patterns. You can also choose from a plethora of color options to match your home’s exterior décor.
• Weather Resistant Options – Choosing weather-resistant asphalt shingles will help you to save money down the line in storm damage restoration.

What Asphalt Shingles Are Made Of

Asphalt shingles are made of a waterproof layer of asphalt and reinforced with either a felt paper or fiberglass base coat and topped with ceramic granules. From the 1980s when it was introduced, the fiberglass base has remained the more popular product. It is lightweight and less expensive but still provides considerable strength and fire protection to the roof.

The Evolution of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have existed for more than 100 years. Over the years, they have dominated the steep-slope residential roofing market, accounting for about 80-90% of all residential roofs.

Throughout the longer part of this century, shingles didn't change much. Shingles of the 1960's were not much different from those of the 1920's. Since the mid-1970s, shingle manufacturers have introduced quite a number of new innovations, including fiberglass reinforcing mats, laminated construction, self-sealing tabs, and modified asphalt formulas.

Today, homeowners have many types of shingles to choose from. Over the last 20 years, the roofing industry has made impressive strides towards improving the quality and durability of asphalt shingle products. Shingles used to offer longevity of just 20 years or less, but today’s models can last a lifetime. Even the issues of cracking and splitting which were prevalent in the 70s and 80s have drastically reduced.

If you take reasonable care by choosing the right shingle manufacturer and working with a certified roofing contractor for the installation, your asphalt shingle roof can last far beyond its projected lifespan.

Owens Corning Roofing Shingles

Owens Corning provides nine different types of roofing materials, including asphalt shingles as well as architectural shingles (offer ultra-dimensional wood shake look).

The brand offers standard products and total protection limited warranties of 10-15 years. Owens Corning also provides exclusive warranties to their certified contractor network members (15-50 years long). This is why Owens Corning is considered the best shingle manufacturer in the US. In fact, 74% of customers recommend Owens Corning roofing shingles and are very satisfied with the brand.

Owens Corning’s shingles are available in a wide range of colors and styles. They offer product warranties ranging from 25 years up to limited lifetime warranties for their premium shingles.

The company uses its patented SureNail Technology in all of its Duration brand shingles. This innovative technology utilizes reinforced fabrics to ensure easier nailing and improved durability.

As the leader in innovation, Owens Corning also reinforces its shingles with Algae protection, ensuring your roof will remain strong and functional even under damp weather conditions where moss can grow and eat away your roofing material.

Always Work With a Certified Roofer for Longevity

If you’re going with any Owens Corning roofing product, be sure to work with a roofing contractor within the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network to enjoy the longest warranty. There are two levels of certification: Preferred and Platinum. Platinum preferred Contractors account for just 1% of roofing companies across the nation, so it’s pretty exclusive.

Here at Couto Construction, we're proud to be Owens Corning’s platinum preferred contractor. We are trusted to install a 50-year shingle with a 25-year warranty. We have expert roofers who can help you choose the right asphalt shingle option to match the style of your home. Since our roofers are regularly trained by manufacturers, you can rest assured they will make a worry-free installation. Contact us today for all your roofing needs in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island.