The Pros And Cons Of Premium Asphalt Replacement Shingles
Every homeowner dreads having to replace a roof because of the potentially high out-of-pocket costs associated with a full residential roofing replacement. However, choosing an affordable but long-lasting material is the best option when it comes time to replace an existing roof. One of the most popular residential options in the country is asphalt shingles. But the type of asphalt shingle is an important choice too. When it comes to asphalt, premium or luxury shingles provide the best quality and durability. Here are the pros and cons.
PROS
Durability
The cheapest type of asphalt shingle, the 3-tab option, has a lifespan between 15 and 20 years. However, if you choose to opt for a luxury or premium asphalt shingle option instead, you can extend that lifespan to as much as 40 years, and that's the most longevity you can get out of an asphalt option. The additional costs of premium shingles are very low compared to other roofing materials, especially considering you can nearly double the lifespan of your roof by choosing a higher quality option in asphalt.
Affordability
The asphalt shingle is the most budget-friendly residential roofing material on the market. Considering the longevity it provides with very low maintenance compared to other high-maintenance roofing materials like wood shingles or standing seam metal roofing, premium shingles give you a lot of bang for your buck. You can expect to pay more for a premium or luxury asphalt shingle compared to a standing seam metal roof that will require additional maintenance.
Aesthetics
No matter the color scheme or design of your home, you can find a premium shingle to complement the look. Premium shingles come in a huge variety of colors, textures, and thicknesses. Luxury shingles also come in 3D options that provide a thicker base for more texture and contrast on your roof that can mimic the look of other thicker materials like slate or wood shakes.
CONS
Heavier
Because they are thicker and have additional material compared to 3-tab or architectural asphalt shingles, premium shingles have additional weight that needs to be factored into the installation process. You will need to make sure to consult with your residential replacement roofing contractor to ensure that your roof can handle the additional load.
Not Ideal For Wet Climates
Because asphalt shingles are susceptible to mildew and mold growth, they aren't always ideal in climates with high humidity and heavy precipitation.
For more information about residential roofing replacement, contact a local contractor.
Can you imagine hammering away at shingles from dawn until dusk? If this sounds like fun, then you may have a future in the roofing industry. If this does not sound fun at all, then you're going to be someone who calls a roofing company and leave the work to the professionals. There's nothing wrong with that. Roofing is hard and dangerous; it's definitely not for everyone. In fact, we don't climb up on the roof ourselves. We do, however, write about roofing on this blog. We consider that to be a small service we can do for homeowners who are interested in roofing and want to know more.