Asphalt shingles are a staple among roof coverings. They are the most popular roof the U.S., and for good reasons, affordability being just one of them. However, there are also many disadvantages to asphalt shingles. If you’re shopping for a new asphalt shingle roof in Colorado, consider this article to help you decide if they’re right for you. Below we list the pros and cons of asphalt shingles, who makes them, who should have one, and the best alternative to asphalt shingles.
Pros of Asphalt Shingles
- Affordable
- Quick to Install
- Widely Available
- Options
- DIY-Friendly
- Flexible
- High Heat Emittance
- High Wind Resistant Options
- Impact Resistant Options
Affordable
The primary advantage of asphalt shingles is their affordability. Among all the roof coverings we offer, they are the most affordable. It’s no wonder asphalt shingles are so popular in Colorado.
Quick to Install
Asphalt shingles are relatively quick to install. For most simple roofs, we can remove the old asphalt shingle roof remove and a new one installed in the same day. This includes hauling away your old roof and cleaning-up our mess.
Widely Available
Asphalt shingles are everywhere, such as from your local big box hardware store, and used material stores including Habitat ReStore. You can even find leftover asphalt shingles on FaceBook Marketplace and Craig’s List. There are also many asphalt shingle manufacturers to choose from, such as Owens Corning to Tamko.
Options
No other roof covering has more options to choose from than asphalt shingles -there are flat 3-tab shingles to dimensional and designer shingles, SBS-modified shingles, Class-3 and Class-4 impact resistant shingles, 60-130 MPH wind rated shingles, and shingles that resist algae growth and streaking. They also come in many colors, including reds, whites, browns, blacks, blues, greys.
DIY-Friendly
Asphalt shingles are also DIY-friendly. Not only can you purchase some just about anywhere, you can install them yourself. Aside from knowledge of how to install them in the right order, all one needs is the right nails, a hammer, and a utility knife.
Flexible
Because of their fiberglass foundation, asphalt shingles are flexible. As a result, they can be installed over non-flat surfaces. Thanks to the asphalt adhesive strip on the bottom side of each shingle, they generally stay down.
High Heat Emittance
One might not think that the ability to emit heat is a good thing, but it actually is in the hot summer months. As the sun warms your asphalt shingle roof during the summer, it’s best if it can release that absorbed heat. Asphalt shingles are great at releasing absorbed heat.
High Wind Resistant Options
Wind in Colorado can vary from 6MPH to 160MPH. What’s more, some parts of the state get hit by stronger winds than others. For example, the central mountains usually get the strongest winds, while the plains often get less. Asphalt shingle manufacturers offer shingles ranging from 60 to 130PMH wind resistance. Tamko offers a 160MPH wind warranty on their Titan shingle.
Impact Resistant Options
Most asphalt shingle manufacturers offer at least one line of shingles that are Class-4 impact resistant. Additionally, most also offer a lesser or Class-3 IR shingle line. Class-4 is your most hail-resistant shingle. What’s more, most also offer a new SBS-modified shingle. These are modified with rubber. These shingles, although not technically Class-4 impact resistant, are very much hail resistant.
Cons of Asphalt Shingles
With all the advantages of asphalt shingles, there are many disadvantages. Before you pick-up the phone and demand new asphalt shingles, we feel it’s worth considering their many drawbacks. Looking for an asphalt shingle alternative? Skip ahead and see what we recommend.
- Short Lifespan
- Expensive Long-Term
- Not Recyclable
- Not Energy-Efficient
- Low Solar Reflectivity
- Granules Loosen
- Shingles Can Loosen
Short Lifespan
Asphalt shingles have among the shortest lifespan of all roof coverings. Most asphalt shingles only last between 15 and 25 years, if they don’t get destroyed by a hail storm first. By quick comparison, stone-coated metal shingles and standing seam often last 70 years or more.
Expensive Long-Term
Sure, asphalt shingles are the least expensive to purchase and install, but what if they don’t last that long? Asphalt shingles on average only last about 15-20 years. If you’re shelling-out $15,000 every 15 years on a new roof, are they really that affordable?
Not Recyclable
We’ve called every recycling center in Colorado from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, and as far east as Kansas. Nobody recycles asphalt shingles. Therefore, they end-up in your local landfill. On the contrary, there are other roof coverings that are cyclable.
Not Energy-Efficient
Although asphalt shingles rate the highest at solar emittance, they are among the worst at solar reflectivity. That is, they’re poor at reflecting heat away from your home. Therefore, asphalt shingles are not energy-efficient. There are better alternatives.
Granules Loosen
It’s natual for asphalt shingle roofs to gradually loose their granules. This is not a problem. It’s only a problem when so many granules are missing that the fiberglass foundation is exposed. However, as these granules loosen, the collect in your gutters and on your driveway and walkways. They contribute to plugging-up your gutters and downspouts.
Shingles Can Loosen
High winds are common in Colorado. The speed at which winds loosen asphalt shingles depends upon the shingle and how they were installed. Asphalt shingles are not the best at resisting high winds. High winds regularly loosen asphalt shingles.
Manufacturers of Asphalt Shingles
As mentioned above one of the advantages of asphalt shingles is the wide availability. There are many asphalt roofing shingles manufacturers in the U.S. We offer quality shingles from the following 5.
- Owens Corning
- Tamko
- GAF
- CertainTeed
- Malarkey
Who’s an Asphalt Shingle Roof For
Asphalt roofing shingles are for those looking to spend the least initially, since they are the least expensive to purchase and install. They’re also great if you have a roof that’s curved, since they’re flexible. If you’re the type to repair your roof yourself, an asphalt shingle roof might be good for you, since they’re DIY-friendly. Common repairs include re-sealing shingles and exposed nails.
Who’s an Asphalt Shingle Roof Not For
If you’re in a high-wind area, we do not recommend asphalt shingles. There are better high-wind resistant roofs to consider. If you’re wanting a roof that lasts a long time, an asphalt shingle might not be for you. Instead, consider stone-coated steel shingles or standing seam. If energy-efficiency is important to you, than an asphalt shingle roof isn’t for you. Standing seam is your most energy-efficient roof.
Best Alternative to Asphalt Shingles
If you’ve read the above and decided the cons of asphalt shingles outweigh the pros, consider stone-coated steel shingles. These resemble traditional asphalt shingles, but last a lot longer – 70 years or more, in fact. They do cost more. However, they may end-up costing less in the long run. What’s more, you’ll be inconvenienced less from having your roof replaced less frequently.
Another alternative to asphalt shingles is standing seam sheet metal. Like steel shingles, standing seam lasts a long time, but it’s also very energy-efficient. In fact, a standing seam metal roof can lower the temperature in your attic by 20-some degrees.
The Bottom Line
There are many pros to asphalt shingles – affordability, availability, etc. However, there are many cons to asphalt shingles, primarly having a short lifespan and therefore being less expensive in the long term. After reading the pros and cons of asphalt shingles, are they right for you? Feel free to contact us for a free chat to help you decide.