Shingle roofs are common for good reasons. They're attractive, durable enough to last for several years, and one of the most affordable roofing options. These roofs come in several colors, so you can choose a color that goes with your siding. The granules provide the color, and that's why shingle roofs turn dark when they get old and lose a lot of their granules. Here are additional things to know about this kind of roofing.
1. The Shingles Curl When They Get Too Hot
Asphalt shingles can get very hot in the summer when the sun beats down on the roof all day. Shingles can tolerate this type of heat for several years. It's the heat on the underside of the roof that causes shingles to curl. When the sun beats on the roof, the attic in your house gets very hot and stuffy.
Your attic has natural ventilation that moves air through the attic to push out heat, but if the ventilation isn't good enough, heat builds up and leads to shingle damage. If your attic doesn't have enough ventilation, the problem can be fixed by adding a turbine vent to your roof. The vent spins and pulls hot air out of the attic to protect your shingles from damage and a shortened lifespan.
2. The Shingles Might Be Bigger Than You Think
The most affordable type of asphalt shingles is called three-tab shingles because of the way they're made. When you look at a single roof, you notice what looks like many small shingles nailed to the roof. However, an asphalt shingle is larger than you expect. Three of the small tabs you see on a roof make up a single shingle.
The shingles are layered over each other so you can't see the part that's hidden under the shingles in the row above. That makes it seem like the roof is made of small shingles when it's not. Large shingles make a new roof go on much quicker.
3. Shingle Roofs Come In Different Grades
If you have the most affordable asphalt shingles on your roof now and wish they were more durable, you should shop around and compare ratings among different grades of asphalt shingles. The highest-quality shingles are the thickest, and these have high ratings for hail, wind, and fire.
They're more durable than basic three-tab shingles, so the extra cost is often worth it for the added protection during storms. Higher-grade shingles usually last longer too, and they have a more upscale appearance, so they're worth considering when you get a roof replacement. For more information, contact a company like Pelican Roofing.
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.