An asphalt shingle is a type of roof shingle. They are one of the most widely used roofing covers due to the fact that they are relatively inexpensive and fairly simple to install.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

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Two types of asphalt shingles are used: organic and fiberglass or glass fiber. Organic shingles are generally paper saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof, then a top coating of adhesive asphalt is applied and the ceramic granules are then embedded. Organic shingles contain around 40% more asphalt per square (100 sq. ft.) than fiberglass shingles which makes them weigh more and gives them excellent durability and blow-off resistance.

Fiberglass shingles have a glass fiber reinforcing mat manufactured to the shape of the shingle. The mat is then coated with asphalt which contains mineral fillers. The glass fiber mat is not waterproof by itself. It's used for reinforcement. The asphalt makes the fiberglass shingle waterproof.

Durability

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Asphalt shingles usually last longer in cooler climates than warmer ones. Thermal shock is one thing that is damaging to shingles (thermal shock is what roofing materials experience when the ambient temperature changes dramatically within a very short period of time). Another factor affecting asphalt shingle roofs is attic ventilation. Proper roof ventilation has been known to extend the service life of a roof.

Roofs