There are plenty of roofing materials available in the market today, but only a few can compare to the popularity of architectural asphalt shingles. What sets them apart from normal shingles? And why is this type of roofing material such a hit with homeowners?
Not Just a Shingle… an ARCHITECTURAL Shingle
Even at first glance, it’s easy to tell the difference between standard asphalt shingles and architectural asphalt shingles. A standard shingled roof has the familiar smooth, flat surface formed by a series of shingles. On the other hand, architectural asphalt shingles have a contoured profile and less uniform appearance, so they provide some texture to the roof.
It looks better, but is that all?
There’s more to architectural shingles than looks. The textured appearance is made possible by having a thicker mat base (the lower layer holding the asphalt granules). This base is usually made of fiberglass, giving it excellent durability. Architectural shingles can last up to 2 decades more than their flat counterparts.
Another reason why architectural asphalt shingles are popular is because of their ability to resist damage caused by extreme weather. Thicker shingles have more weight, which means they are less likely to get torn off by strong winds or punctured by impact. In short, architectural asphalt shingles provide a thicker layer of protection compared to standard asphalt shingles.
How about efficiency?
Architectural asphalt shingles are right up there with standard asphalt shingles when it comes to energy efficiency. Specialized coated granules can help reflect some amount of sunlight hitting the roof surface, which reduces the total amount of heat absorbed by the roof during daytime. This helps reduce HVAC power consumption and ultimately lowers monthly electric bills.
Architectural asphalt shingles are also one of the most efficient roofing options, if we’re talking about cost. Although installing an architectural asphalt shingle roof costs slightly more than a standard shingled roof, the extra service life and durability makes it a worthy investment.
Want to learn more about another popular roofing option? Check out the Part 2 of this blog series, coming soon!