Our primary focus is residential asphalt shingle and EPDM rubber roof installation and replacement.
Following are some of the many reasons we recommend asphalt shingles for your next roofing project.
Asphalt shingles can be recycled. Asphalt shingles are a common roofing material and can be recycled thanks to their asphalt content. Shingles can be diverted from the waste stream and transformed into asphalt pavement for our streets and highways, making them a recycled building material. Unlike natural building materials, recycled ones aren’t necessarily renewable, but they can be given a chance at new life. Also known as circular construction, this type of building diverts waste from landfills.
Asphalt shingles are the most affordable roof replacement on the market. Although there are benefits to metal in the right application, the cost of a metal roof is 2-3 times higher than an asphalt roof.
All architectural shingles are rated for at least 30 years.
There are different types of asphalt shingles. 3-tab asphalt shingles lay flat and get their name from the 3 tabs on each shingle strip. Standard architectural shingles are know as dimensional shingles, and give you a good looking random pattern or simulate the look of a wood shake roof. Luxury or premium shingles are actually larger than the other asphalt shingles and are made to look like slate. All types come in a variety of colors.
3-tab shingles have been around the longest of all the options on the market today. But 3-tab shingles have the shortest life span and are a bit more time consuming to install compared to architectural shingles. Because of the three tabs care must be taken to install the singles so the tabs are all properly offset from each course. There tends to be more waste as you can’t reuse as many of the cut-offs as you can with architectural shingles. 3-tab shingles are the most cost effective of all the asphalt options, although if your roof has valleys we don’t recommend them as there is a higher risk of leaks from ice dams.
Standard architectural shingles are the most common shingle installed in the United States today. Their easy installation, decreased waste, and amazing durability explain why. There are no other products at this price point that can compare to the design, durability and security of these shingles, which can provide up to 30 years of protection from the elements.
Luxury shingles, also known as designer shingles, are the highest-end asphalt shingles and certainly live up to their name. They are a three-ply shingle, which allows manufacturers to get creative with their designs, simulating the look of slate, ceramic, and even wood shake roofs. Luxury shingles are the longest-lasting asphalt shingles, with a 25-40 year lifespan depending on brand and selection. If you are in your forever home and want to keep your roof in good condition for years to come, luxury shingles may be the best choice. If you are on a budget, though, standard architectural shingles may be a better option.
There are many different brands and styles of ice and water shields. All of our shingle suppliers have created their own versions. These products are all great in the right application. Roofs with persistent leaks, shallow pitches or valleys, or roofs joining other roofs with different pitches are all good candidates for ice and water shields. We highly recommend Grace ice and water shield. Grace is the leading manufacturer in exterior waterproofing systems and specifically ice and water shields and there really is no better choice.
Tar paper on roofs is no longer an industry standard. The product still exists and is used for many purposes, including roof sheathing underlayment, but we no longer recommend it for your roof underlayment. Instead, we recommend synthetic roof wrap, which comes in larger rolls, speeding up installation. It is also much more durable so that it holds to the roof after it has been stapled and does not rip, tear or shift before shingles are installed. The synthetic roof wrap does not allow water to penetrate the roof but it is breathable and allows moisture to wick through from the roof sheathing, reducing the chances of rot.
Mindful roofing recommends the following fine roofing brands.