What are asphalt roofing shingles and what is asphalt’s role in roofing shingles?

Asphalt roofing shingles are the most commonly used covering on residential properties in the market.

Asphalt's primary purpose in roofing shingles is to serve as a waterproofing agent. Asphalt also holds the granules in place and adds to the overall strength of the roofing shingle. The best asphalt will stay flexible and will not dry out or become hard or brittle for the expected life of the roofing shingle.

Strip Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Strip asphalt roofing shingles are single-layered asphalt roofing shingles typically designed to look like slate. Strip roofing shingles are usually the lightest weight asphalt roofing shingles available in the market. Built on a tough fiber glass base, each shingle provides resistance to blow-off and tearing. Strip roofing shingles are used primarily by home builders manufacturing economy priced homes or purchased by homeowners as replacement roofing shingles for homes that already have strip shingles on the roof.

Dimensional Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Dimensional asphalt roofing shingles are manufactured as multi-layered products and provide a thicker and richer appearance on the roof (a multi-dimensional look). Dimensional roofing shingles typically are heavier weight than strip roofing shingles and usually have improved warranty protections, which can range from 30-years to Lifetime.

Premium Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Premium asphalt roofing shingles are usually described as laminated shingles that have a differentiated appearance or functionality from traditional dimensional asphalt roofing shingles. These products may have designs that mimic “old-world” roofing shingles, like natural slate or natural shake roofing shingles. Premium asphalt roofing shingles might also have important functional improvements such as Impact Resistance or Solar Reflectivity that can possibly extend the life of the roofing system or provide lower energy costs.