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Asphalt Shingles
 Asphalt
Shingles are one of the most common choices for roofing materials. As a matter
of fact, at least 75% of the homes in the United States use asphalt shingles.
Asphalt shingles come in various styles and costs and have warranty packages
from 20-40 years.
There are two types of asphalt shingle construction: Fiberglass mat based
shingles and Organic mat based shingles.
Fiberglass based shingles are thinner and lighter, as their backing is made out
of a fiberglass mat. Note: A bundle of asphalt shingles can weigh between 70 and
140 lbs and there are typically 3 bundles of shingles per square (100 sqft per
square of shingles). Consequently fiberglass mat based shingles are easier to
lift making a roofer’s job easier when carrying shingles up a ladder. Fiberglass
mat shingles are also more fire retardant and typically have slightly longer
warranties than organic based shingles.
Organic based shingles are heavier and considered more rugged as their mat
backing is made out of felt paper and asphalt. They are heavier due to the fact
that there is literally more asphalt used in them than a Fiberglass mat shingle.
Organic mat based shingles are also considered more flexible than fiberglass
shingles, however they are known to be more water absorbent and can warp over
time. As a result of these differences Fiberglass mat shingles are used much
more prevalently in the southern and central part of the United States, and
Organic mat based shingles are used more in the northern part.
Fiberglass Asphalt based shingles used on your home should be compliant with
ASTM D-3462 standards, and Organic based shingles used on your home should be
compliant with ASTM D-225. More and more municipalities are requiring shingles
to meet these standards, so you should check with your local building inspector
and read the label on the shingles prior to purchasing them. Fiberglass and
Organic mat based shingles are comparably priced. They can range anywhere from
$25 to $80 per square.
If you are
looking for a
Pennsylvania
roofing
contractor to
repair or replace your roof,
please call us
today at
717-354-3737 or
complete our
online request
form
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