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Residential Roof Consultant ~ Unbiased Advice ~ Independent Oversight
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Composition
Composition shingles have been in use in the Pacific Northwest for approximately 60 years. These asphalt shingles draw their name from the fact that they are “composed” of three basic elements – the mat layer, the asphalt layer and the top layer of granules. Asphalt composition shingles have evolved very little over their 60 years of existence with one notable exception. In the late 1960's, the “layered fiberglass” shingle began to replace the “saturated organic” shingle. This “new” shingle incorporated a thin layer of fiberglass over the recycled paper mat. While this configuration did provide some added resistance to cracking and curling, it did not provide any advantages in life expectancy. In fact, its layered construction allowed manufacturers to use a much thinner layer of asphalt, which resulted in a baseline 30-year laminated shingle that had a realistic life expectancy that was less than the 20-year and 25-year organic shingles they were designed to replace.
Manufacturers’ warranties are “product defect” warranties and are not a reliable indicator of functional roof life expectancy, nor is shingle weight. The only reliable indicator is the thickness of the asphalt layer at its thinnest point of the exposed shingle surface. Asphalt shingles are sold in the four basic categories listed below:
|
Composition Style |
Construction |
Exposure |
Manufacturer's Warranty (Years) |
Realistic Life |
|
Three-Tab |
1-layer tabbed fiberglass or organic |
5-5/8” |
25 & 30 |
15 - 20 |
|
Single-Laminate |
2-layer tabbed laminate fiberglass |
5-5/8” |
30, 40 & 50 |
15 - 20 |
|
Dual-Laminate |
2-layer full-laminate fiberglass |
4-1/4” - 5-5/8” |
50 & lifetime |
25 - 30 |
|
Tri-Laminate |
2- or 3-layer tabbed or full-laminate fiberglass |
4-1/4” - 8” |
Lifetime |
35 - 40 |
Below are links to several manufacturers’ sites. Remember that manufacturers’ web sites are designed to promote their products and will generally provide you with only positive product information.
You can count on Seattle Roof Advisor to provide unbiased advice.
Cons
- Low perception of value in three-tab and
single-laminate style - Limited life expectancy in three-tab and
single-laminate style
Although there are clear limitations in durability, especially in the three-tab and single-laminate styles, asphalt composition shingles are used, by some estimates, in as many as 80% of new and replacement installations. Depending on your specific needs regarding budget and roof life expectancy, composition shingles can be a great choice.
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Pitched Roofs
► Cedar
► Composition
► Metal
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Pros
- Low cost in three-tab and single-laminate styles
- High wind resistance in laminate styles
- Available fungus resistance
- High fire resistance
- High perception of value in tri-laminate style
- Extended life expectancy in tri-laminate style