Asphalt roofing is one of the most popular roofing options right now, used on millions of homes and other buildings throughout the world.

Available in a wide selection of colors, shapes, and sizes, asphalt roofs are attractive, affordable, and can be installed quickly in comparison to most other materials.

Though asphalt roofers may call shingle products by multiple names, most are nearly the same thing plus or minus a few details.

Learn the differences between asphalt shingles and what is today called a composition roof so you know what to expect when choosing your roofing materials.

What Are Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are a broad category of shingle roofing that encompasses anything made with layers of asphalt fibers as part of its composition.

They have been in use for many decades to create asphalt roofs, starting out as flat, three-tab or one-tab versions in their original design and progressing to today’s more durable and decorative styles.

Although they are called many different things now including architectural and composite shingles, this plain, flat, three-tabbed variety is what usually comes to mind when someone refers to asphalt roofs.

With so many better options available now, plain asphalt shingles are rarely used today.

What Are Composite Shingles?

Composite shingles installed by asphalt roofers are a type of shingle made from layers of asphalt and other materials which together form a composite material.

While it is technically the same thing as the original plain asphalt roofing that was a composite of multiple materials, composite shingles normally refer to current more modern and advanced shingle products.

Made with more layers and better materials, composite, architectural, or dimensional shingles are three-dimensional because they are thicker at the bottom so they look more like natural materials.

Installed by skilled asphalt roofers, they look infinitely more attractive than the original flat, three-tab shingles, are significantly more durable, and provide better weather and UV protection.

What Are Some Popular Options In Composite Shingle Roofing?

Because they are thicker and can be shaped during production, composite asphalt roofing is available in a large variety of shapes and designs to match the style and character of your home or building.

They come in multiple colors and thicknesses, mimicking different natural materials such as wood shakes or shingles, slate shingles or tiles, clay tiles, and others.

Additionally, some of today’s more advanced asphalt roof products are:

Designed to provide increased UV reflection for greater energy efficiency,
Hail-resistant.
May include other premium qualities that far outweigh the protection of original flat, tabbed asphalt shingles.

Composite Shingles - The Asphalt Shingle Of Today

Although asphalt roofing and composite shingles are technically the same product, composite shingles are a much-preferred product due to better design, a nicer appearance, and a longer lifespan.

If you’re interested in seeing the full selection of asphalt roofs available to choose from, contact a local asphalt roofer to discuss your preferences and see examples of the beautiful shingles that can be installed on your business!

Thinking of Commercial Shingle Roofing in Dallas Texas?

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If you own a large building, you likely know that commercial roofs are a huge investment. Like anything else, you want to get your money’s worth from this investment and ensure it remains functional and protective as long as possible. The best way to do this is to provide all required maintenance and arrange for frequent roof inspections.

While you will definitely want to have periodic inspections carried out by experienced commercial roof services, you can stay ahead of any developing problems in between by performing your own inspections. Learn how the professionals inspect roofs so you can do it yourself and keep a close eye on what is happening with your building.

Inspection and Assessment by the Pros

Before attempting to perform your own inspections, meet with commercial roof services. Professional contractors will go over your roof carefully to assess its condition, document any existing or potential concerns, and discuss repairs and maintenance concerns with you.

Naturally, you will want to make any necessary repairs at this time and develop a maintenance plan. Once all this has been done, you can then begin to perform your own inspections.

Inspection Frequency

Commercial roofs should be inspected at least every six months, with more frequent inspections being even more protective. The best time to inspect roofs is in the spring to check for any damage sustained over the winter. The fall is another good time for an inspection to ensure your roof's condition before the return of winter.

Always perform an additional inspection immediately after an extreme weather event such as a hurricane, tornado, strong winds, or a hail storm. As long as everything looks good, continue to perform your own bi-annual inspections in addition to the one done by professionals every one to two years. If you see damage, schedule repairs with commercial roof services right away.

Learn What to Look For

When inspecting commercial roofs, it is essential to pay particular attention to areas most likely to suffer damage or require some sort of repair. Begin by carefully inspecting the entire perimeter of the building to ensure the fascia and edging are properly adhered as well as that there is no evidence of anything that has come loose.

Include in your inspection: the condition of the flashing around all penetrations; the area around any equipment installed on the roof; and the status of all expansion joints to ensure it is still well sealed with no evidence of leaking. Go over the main surface looking for cracks, tears, bubbles, and any other evidence of damage or things that look out of place.

Inspect all drains and check for evidence of water ponding, then inspect the inside of the building looking for evidence of leaks. These are the main areas where building roofs tend to experience problems.

Frequent inspection is a critical factor in keeping commercial roofs in their best condition and addressing minor problems before they become major ones. While you may not be able to completely replace commercial roof services, you can help keep your roof in great shape by doing your own inspections in between a professional yearly one. It is impossible to inspect a roof too frequently. By checking your roof often, you can play an important role in making sure the investment you have made in your building is well protected!

Category: Roofs in Frisco Texas

Composition and Asphalt Roof Shingles – Is There A Difference?