What are asphalt shingles?

Written by No Doubt Marketing Asphalt shingles are roof shingles that are on approximately 75-80% of all roofs in the United States and are composed of composite materials that are considered more fire-safe than traditional wood shake shingles.  more

Asphalt shingles are those single pieces on a roof that are most likely to be used in many roofing applications in the industrialized world. Asphalt shingles are so versatile and economical that they represent up to 80 percent of all roof shingles. The shingles can represent a number of different colors, creating a custom look for nearly any home. Asphalt shingles are made with one of two different materials, along with the asphalt. Organic asphalt shingles use an organic substance, usually a form of paper, which is coated with asphalt. Fiberglass asphalt shingles use a mat made of fiberglass that is shaped to the shingle, with an asphalt coating over it. The most obvious parts of an asphalt shingle are the ceramic granules that are also embedded into the outer layers. These granules serve a number of different purposes. First, they reflect the sun's rays, thus extending the life of the shingle. Second, they provide coloring for the roof. This is why asphalt shingles can come in so ...  more

Asphalt shingles are the least expensive type of shingle and also the most common. They are thin, made from fiberglass and asphalt, and last from 15 to 20 years.  more

Asphalt shingles come in two basic types: glass fiber (a.k.a. fiber glass) and organic. Organic shingles consist of an organic felt material which is generally paper saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. A top coating of adhesive asphalt is then applied and the ceramic granules are then embedded. Organic shingles contain around 40% more asphalt per square (100 sq. ft.) than their glass fiber counterpart which makes them weigh more and gives them excellent durability and blow-off resistance. Glass fiber shingles have a glass fiber reinforcing mat manufactured to the shape of the shingle. This mat is then coated with asphalt which contains mineral fillers. The glass fiber mat is not waterproof by itself. Its purpose is for reinforcement. What makes the glass fiber shingle waterproof is the asphalt. However, the asphalt itself will not stick to the mat. For this reason, "fillers" are used. The fillers in the asphalt cling to the glass fibers in the mat. The asphalt then ...  more