Asphalt roofing is very popular in today’s market. Drive down most neighborhood roads, and you’ll notice countless shingle roofs on display. It never used to be like this. Before asphalt roofing, more common were traditional roofing systems. Here’s a look at how one of the most popular roofing systems came into being.
Asphalts Early Days
Asphalt shingles made their introduction at the start of the 20th century. The occasional asphalt roof started to pop up from as early as 1901. But asphalt roofing took a while to come into trend. The mid-1920s saw a sharp rise in asphalts’ popularity. By the late 1930s, thousands of asphalt roofs were installed throughout the United States. Initial asphalt composites were compromised of organic materials. This includes materials like jute, wool, and cotton rags. These were somewhat primitive. Soon after, self-sealing shingles were invented. These thin pieces of asphalt composite were designed to overlap and form rows. Asphalt shingles would prove to revolutionize the housing construction market. Ultimately, they became the most common style of roof in the U.S.
The Evolution Of Asphalt Shingles
Organic shingles ruled the roost for a large part of the 20th century. Using natural components required that the shingles be coated with asphalt and then covered in heavy-duty granules. This process required a high percentage of asphalt in comparison to fiberglass shingles. Furthermore, natural asphalt didn’t stand up well to extreme weather conditions. Which you believe is a must for South Florida’s hurricane season. Fiberglass reinforced shingles largely came onto the market in the 1980’s and far more weather and fire-resistant. But their party piece was their lightweight nature. Fiberglass shingles weighed significantly less and were easier and safer to apply onto roofs. Fiberglass asphalt had strong integrity. Because of this, the classic 3-tab shingle was introduced as the industry standard.
So, it was out with the old and in with the new. Fiberglass shingles suited new design trends as they came in many customizable options. They came in an array of colors and styles to choose from which helped individual roofs to stand out more.
Asphalt Roofing Today
Asphalt shingles remain a popular roofing system today. Without a doubt, the combination of raw material improvements, manufacturing technology, and design innovation has given shingles a leading edge. Asphalt shingle roofing is the most used type of asphalt roofing. It’s important to choose the right asphalt shingles for your home
There are currently three main asphalt shingle designs on offer:
3-Tab Shingles
3-tab shingles get their name from the 3 tabs that are on each shingle. Shingles lie flat and overlap one another helping to form an effective weatherproof bond. Moreover, their lightweight nature helps them to remain affordable. 3-tab shingles are a great option if you’re on a budget. Consult with a professional asphalt roofer when installing a 3-tab shingle roof.
Dimensional Shingles
These create a continuous pattern and simulate a wood-shake-styled roof. Constructed from multiple shingle layers, dimensional shingles have additional height and texture. They will give your home a more distinguished look.
Luxury Shingles
Luxury shingles do an amazing job at replicating natural roof types. Additionally, they can mimic a cedar-shake or natural slate roof while coming in at a far more competitive price.
The Asphalt Roofing Systems Professionals
At ABC Roofing Corp we offer a full range of asphalt roofing options. Do you live in South Florida and have roof troubles? We have you covered! With over three decades of experience in both commercial and residential roofing systems, we are a reputable team of professionals. Call us today at (954) 344-4622 for all your asphalt shingle roof installations and repairs.
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