Types of Roof Shingles
Home and business owners have the choice of many types of roof shingles.
Some options include:
- Three-tab asphalt shingles
- Fiberglass asphalt shingles
- Architectural shingles
- Aluminum shingles
- Copper shingles
- Galvanized shingles
- Galvalume shingles
- Corten shingles
- Tin shingles
- Zinc shingles
Despite the many options available, most people in Lafayette and throughout the Acadiana region opt for asphalt shingles. There are at least three ratings that you will want to consider. The first is the fire rating, represented by a letter grade from A to D, with A being the most fire-resistant.
The second is the wind rating, represented by a letter from A to H from the American Society of Testing and Materials. There are two different terms, and it is important to understand the difference.
Wind resistance refers to the shingles’ ability to withstand wind-driven rainstorms and the impact not to give way when debris hits the roof. The second term is wind uplift, and this refers to the ability of the shingles to stay in place when winds blow across and around the roof.
Most manufacturers produce Class F shingles that are wind resistant up to 110 miles per hour and Class H shingles that are uplift resistant up to 150 miles per hour.
The third rating is the impact resistance, measured from one to four. Lafayette building owners concerned about hail damage should choose those rated three or four. When choosing asphalt shingles, consider the warranty.
Homeowners can find options with 30-, 40- or 50-year warranties. Thinner shingles will have a 30-year warranty, while dimensional asphalt shingles often have 50-year warranties.
There are three main categories of asphalt shingles. The first category is three-tab shingles, which are sometimes called strip shingles. These shingles that have only one layer are uniform in color and lay next to each other. The second category is architectural or dimensional shingles.
They consist of two layers of bonded material, making them more durable. The third category is luxury or premium shingles. These shingles are heavy, so they are only appropriate for some buildings. Homeowners often choose them for their beautiful color.