Asphalt Shingles Add Value, Beauty, and Durability To Roofs

(ARA) – With national home prices still 30 percent below 2006 levels, homeowners are looking for affordable ways to boost the value of their homes without breaking the bank. 

Repairing or replacing the roof is one of the most noticeable improvement projects homeowners can take on. And although the effect of a new roof is stunning, the price tag doesn’t have to be. 

Going back to the basics when it comes to getting a new roof can employ the “genius of ‘and,'” according to TAMKO Building Products President and Chief Executive Officer David Humphreys. 

“It’s a way of describing how you can successfully achieve two or more goals that might not seem compatible,” Humphreys says. “For example: you can add value to your home and save money doing it.” 

This is possible in roofing through the reliability, durability and affordability of the traditional asphalt shingle. 

Reliability 
And when it comes to roofing, the standard asphalt shingle could be the fastest path to a new roof, while still maintaining reliability, durability and affordability. 

Asphalt shingles have more than 150 years of proven severe weather durability as a roof covering. But as a waterproofing agent, asphalt’s history goes back much farther. 

Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products, says asphalt and tar have been used as a waterproofing agent for thousands of years, including by the ancient Egyptians. 

Durability 
Asphalt shingles are made from sheets of fibers, coated in asphalt (a petroleum by-product) and a variety of granules. The result is shingles that are light-weight, easy to install and low maintenance. 

Two of the most common types of asphalt shingles are three-tab and laminated. 

Three-tab asphalt roofing shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, a base material made from glass fibers to add strength. The mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules. 

Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15- to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options. 

Laminated asphalt shingles are a newer option and increasing in popularity. These shingles have added dimension because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance. 

Some laminated shingles have a 30-year limited warranty, like TAMKO’s Heritage 30 line. The shingles are also wind and fire resistant. 

Affordability 
Despite the expansion of roofing products over the last 100 years, the most popular and affordable option continues to be the asphalt shingle. 

Asphalt shingles continue to dominate about 80 percent of the U.S. market. It’s estimated that more than 100 million roofing squares are laid on U.S. roofs each year. 

And a new asphalt roof is in everyone’s price range. With a variety of types of asphalt shingles, three-tab or laminated, asphalt roofs are available for as little as one-third of the cost of more expensive tile and wood roofs. 

Asphalt shingles afford the consumer the luxury of a large home improvement without the luxury price tag. 

A new roof can add immediate value to the home if the owners are looking to sell, but can also help prevent costly leaks while they still live there. 

The health of a roof can affect the energy efficiency and utility bills of a house. In today’s world of energy and cost-consciousness, the roof has become an asset that homeowners cannot afford to overlook. 

Remember this annual roof maintenance checklist: 

* Clean all debris off the surface of the roof, including anything that has gathered behind skylights, valleys or pipes. Debris can hold water and speed up roof deterioration. 

* Check flashing for holes and repair or replace if needed. 

* Seal flashing if needed. 

* Check for loose or damaged roof shingles. Apply sealant under the loose shingles. 

* Remove and replace any damaged shingles. 

* Trim overhanging trees to prevent future roof damage from animals or limbs.