Industrial materials do not always get the proper recognition for how interesting they really are, and asphalt shingles are an example of a material that really doesn't always get a lot of attention. If you take a closer look, however, these shingles are well worth the time to get to know. You may just find a newfound appreciation for asphalt shingles beyond them just protecting your home. Here are a few interesting facts about these shingles you probably do not know about as a homeowner.
Some roofing shingles contain metal components to thwart the growth of algae.
Even though most people assume that asphalt shingles are primarily made with the substrate material, asphalt, and aggregate granules, these shingles actually contain several different components and compounds. Some of the best asphalt shingles are actually formulated with metal compounds, such as copper and zinc, which is good to thwart the growth of algae in high-humidity and high-precipitation areas. In certain parts of the country, all asphalt shingles have to have these components to be approved for use because algae growth can be such a big issue.
Roofing shingles don't seal in place immediately as they are installed.
Even though the shingles themselves are designed to repel water and keep your roof protected, this is not the only way an asphalt-shingle roof functions. The sticky asphalt actually heats up and adheres to the roof, which creates a watertight seal. This adhesion does not occur immediately unless the installer uses some form of a heat gun to cause the adhesion to occur. Solar energy from the sun actually heats the asphalt adhesive up after it is installed so the sealing process takes place. Because climate variations have an effect on the process, it is hard to say when exactly the sealing process will be complete.
Asphalt shingles can (and really should) be recycled.
In some places, it is actually against the law to throw asphalt shingles in the trash, and this is for good reason. The metallic compounds, asphalt, and materials can be hard on the environment. Besides, asphalt shingles can be recycled to create new products. For example, it is not uncommon for asphalt shingles to be broken down in the recycling process and then reused to create asphalt pavement. Therefore, even though your shingles may have already served their purpose on your home, their life may not be technically over.
For more information about shingles, visit websites like http://www.affordableroofingfl.net.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.