Is it time to replace your roof? Are you trying to figure out the different roofing material options to ensure you make the right decision?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information out there, especially if you’re just starting. Especially considering the roofing material you choose has the biggest impact on the cost of your new roof.
Well, the best place to start learning is with the standard of the residential roofing industry.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners find the perfect roofing material fit by simply providing transparent roofing information. Continuing the tradition, I’ll break down the roofing material that dominates the residential roofing material.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn what the most common roofing material is and the 5 things you need to know about it.
What is the most common type of roofing material?
The most common type of roofing material used on homes is asphalt shingle roofing. In fact, it has been the dominant material in the residential roofing industry for decades.
(Architectural asphalt shingle roof)
However, asphalt shingle roofing is a general term for three separate types of asphalt shingles (more on this in a minute). To be more specific, architectural asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material installed in most homes in the United States.
The main reason for their popularity simply comes down to their affordability. For comparison, metal roofing (the second most common roofing material) can be up to three or four times more expensive.
But even though it’s more cost-effective than other roofing materials, a new asphalt shingle roof is still a large investment.
5 things you need to know about an asphalt shingle roof
Now you know that asphalt shingle roofing is the most common material. While this is great, you didn’t really learn anything about it.
Obviously, you can only make decisions with more information. So, let’s dig into the things every homeowner needs to know about the most common roofing material.
Below, you’ll learn the following 5 things about asphalt shingle roofing:
- The three types of asphalt shingles
- The roofing components that make up an asphalt shingle roof
- How long an asphalt shingle roof lasts
- The material warranties that come with an asphalt shingle roof
- Maintenance maximizes an asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan
1. The three types of asphalt shingles
There are three types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury. 3-tab shingles used to dominate the residential industry, but as I said, architectural shingles are the most common type of shingle and roofing material installed on homes today.
Luxury shingles are just as heavily marketed as architectural shingles but aren’t as common due to their price. Let’s look at each shingle’s basic information, appearance, and pros and cons.
3-tab asphalt shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles get their name from the 3 tabs on each shingle strip and lay completely flat when installed. This asphalt shingle used to dominate the residential roofing industry until technology improved to create architectural asphalt shingles.
3-tab asphalt shingle pros:
- Cheapest roofing material on the market
- Ease of repair and installation
3-tab asphalt shingle cons:
- Shortest lifespan
- Being phased out of the roofing industry
- Hard to color matches for repairs and insurance
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Low curb appeal
- Prone to wind damage
Architectural asphalt shingles
Architectural (also called dimensional) shingles provide a random pattern to give your roof dimension or simulate the look of a wood-shake roof. As you know, it’s not only the most popular asphalt shingle, but also the most common roofing material installed on homes in general.
Architectural asphalt shingle pros:
- Affordability
- Ease of repair and installation
- Readily available materials and colors
Architectural asphalt shingle cons:
- Low curb appeal compared to other materials
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Prone to hail damage
Luxury asphalt shingles
Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are the high-end line designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, more durable, offer the highest curb appeal, and are the most expensive type of asphalt shingle.
Luxury asphalt shingle pros:
- Durability
- Longevity
- High curb appeal
- Stands up well to storm damage
Luxury asphalt shingle cons:
- Expensive
- Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
- Needs yearly maintenance
2. The roofing components that make up an asphalt shingle roof
The asphalt shingles we just covered make up the bulk of an asphalt roof, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. In fact, every component plays a crucial role in protecting your home.
The components that must be installed along with the asphalt shingles include:
- Roof decking
- Roof flashing
- Underlayment
- Drip edge
- Ice and water shield
- Ridge capping
- Roof vents
- Pipe boots
When combined with asphalt shingles, every component fits together like a puzzle to seal your home and make it watertight. That’s why it’s crucial that each component gets replaced when getting a new roof.
3. How long an asphalt shingle roof lasts
Besides the increase in home value and curb appeal, an asphalt shingle roof’s ROI is how long it lasts. An asphalt shingle roof lasts around 80% of the maximum manufactured-stated lifespan as long as it's properly installed and properly ventilated.
For example, an architectural asphalt shingle has a stated lifespan of 30 years but will realistically last around 22-25 years. However, many factors impact how long an asphalt shingle roof actually lasts.
So, it’s always possible for an asphalt roof to need replacing earlier than expected.
But you’ll get as close as possible to its maximum lifespan if it’s properly installed with adequate attic ventilation, you invested in quality, and hired a reputable roofer.
4. The material warranties that come with an asphalt shingle roof
A material warranty covers defects and other manufacturing errors found on shingles after installation. Each type of asphalt shingle has a standard warranty from the manufacturer right out of the package.
3-tab shingles have a 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer, while architectural and luxury shingles come with a 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years). These standard warranties only cover the shingles themselves, not the entire roof.
But if you get an entire roof system from one manufacturer and your roofer is certified with them, architectural and luxury shingles qualify for a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty. This will cover your entire asphalt roof system, and they’ll pay to replace it (labor and materials) if just one component fails.
5. Maintenance maximizes an asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan
Just like your car needs tune-ups, your roof needs to be periodically checked over to keep it running smoothly throughout its life. In fact, regular roof maintenance is one of the best ways to maximize your asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan.
It keeps your asphalt shingle roof fully functioning, catches future problems, and prevents leaks before they have a chance to start. The last thing you need is for a small problem to snowball into an expensive repair and damage your home’s interior.
Roof maintenance is also the perfect chance to clear your asphalt roof and gutters of debris, especially in areas that experience build-up, like roof valleys. If saturated debris is left on your roof, it will shorten your shingles' lifespan.
How much does an asphalt shingle roof cost?
Now you know the main things you need to know about the most common roofing material, asphalt shingles. Remember, their popularity is mainly due to their affordability.
Even though it’s more affordable, an asphalt shingle roof is still a large investment. However, how much you’ll spend depends on the shingle type and other cost factors specific to your roof.
I don’t want you to experience sticker shock when you start getting estimates from roofing contractors. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the budget you’ll need for your new asphalt shingle roof.
Check out How Much an Asphalt Shingle Roof Costs to learn the cost per square foot and the factors that directly impact the price.
