3 Asphalt Shingle Myths and the Truth Behind Them

If you plan to replace your roof soon, then you likely know that many roof materials are available on the market today that you can choose from when installing a new roof. One of these materials is asphalt roof shingles, which is likely the most popular residential roof material in use today. Asphalt shingles are affordable, durable, and effective at protecting your roof and home from the elements.

Unfortunately, some homeowners have misconceptions about asphalt shingles that lead them to consider other roof materials that offer few to no additional benefits over asphalt shingles while costing much more.

Learn about three asphalt shingle myths and the truth behind these common misconceptions about this roof material.

1. Asphalt Shingles Have Short Lifespans

Many people think that asphalt shingle roof have very short expected lifespans. However, this is a myth. The truth is that the life expectancy of an asphalt roof depends on many factors, and many asphalt roofs stay in great shape for up to 50 years or longer.

Many factors affect the lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof, including the quality of the shingles installed, whether the shingle type you choose is right for your climate, how the shingles are installed, and how well you care for your roof.

Features to look for in high-quality asphalt shingles include features that withstand extreme weather conditions that often occur in Kansas. These features can include a protective UV coating and a high wind-resistance rating.

In addition, consider installing SBS polymer–modified shingles that contain a small amount of a polymer called styrene-butadiene-styrene. This polymer increases shingle impact resistance, prevents cracking and shrinking of shingles in cold and hot weather, and helps keep a UV-reflective coating from wearing away when exposed to harsh weather.

2. Asphalt Shingles Are Not Energy-Efficient

Another asphalt shingle myth is that asphalt shingles are not very energy-efficient. The truth is that the energy efficiency of a roof depends on many factors, and an asphalt roof can be very energy-efficient when properly designed.

To ensure your new asphalt shingle roof is as energy-efficient as possible, choose shingles light in color and equipped with a UV-reflective coating. Shingles light in color naturally absorb less of the sun's heat than darker-toned shingles. When darker shingles absorb heat in the summer, they can pass this heat into your home, leading to the need for additional home air conditioning usage.

Look for Energy Star–certified asphalt shingles to ensure any shingle you choose is designed with energy efficiency in mind. In addition, good roof and attic insulation can increase the energy efficiency of a roof made of any material.

3. All Asphalt Shingles Look Alike

Some homeowners glance at one asphalt shingle roof they dislike the appearance of and then quickly decide that asphalt shingles are not for them due to a misconception that all asphalt shingle roofs look alike. The truth is that asphalt shingles come in many colors and designs, and asphalt roof styles are virtually endless.

The three main asphalt shingle styles include:

• Classic three-tab shingles. Also called strip shingles, three-tab shingles have one single layer of asphalt and have been in use much longer than newer asphalt shingle types.
• Architectural shingles. Also called dimensional shingles, these shingles have two or more layers of asphalt and often help to create a multi-dimensional roof appearance.
• Luxury shingles. These shingles are even heavier than architectural shingles, which leads to supreme durability. Luxury shingles also come in special multi-toned color options often not available in other shingle styles.

Some architectural and luxury shingles mimic the appearance of more costly roof materials or those that require extensive maintenance, including wood shake shingles and slate tiles.

If you want to replace your roof and are still undecided about what new roof material you would like to install, then keep these asphalt shingle myths in mind when making your final roof decisions. Contact the roof experts at Ratliff Enterprises, Inc., to discuss new roof installation today.