Asphalt Shingle Roofing

If you are considering the installation of a new asphalt shingle roof on your commercial property, you landed in the right place.

This guide is for you.

In this asphalt shingle roofing guide ››

You're going to learn everything you need to know about:

• The different types of roof shingles
• Various color options with roof shingles
• What shingle hail damage looks like
• How to select a shingle roofing contractor
• And lots more

Let's get started.

What are Asphalt Roof Shingles?

Asphalt roof shingles remain the most commonly installed type of roofing material in use today. Asphalt shingles begin with a continuous fiberglass "mat" that forms tensile and tear strength to the shingle.

Specially formulated hot asphalt is bonded to the top and bottom of the mat layer to form a waterproof barrier.

Finally, stone granules are embedded into the top layer of asphalt protecting the shingle from degradation, while adding the shingle color & shading that you see.

Roof shingles form a water-tight barrier above your building structure, so water flows down the roof and off the edges of the building into gutters.

Shingles are manufactured in strips and packaged in bundles.

Here's a close-up view of an asphalt roof shingle.

Courtesy of Owens Corning

• Attic insulation
• Roof decking
• Ventilation system
• Ice & water barriers
• Underlayment
• Starter shingles
• Roof shingles
• Hip & ridge shingles
• Gutter / drainage system

Shingles are installed in overlapping rows (also called courses) of shingles with installation starting at the eaves and working the way up the roof.

Each course of shingles further up the roof overlaps seams between shingles of the course below.

A well-designed shingle roofing system can improve your building's curb appeal, lower utility costs, and protect the structural integrity of your building.

Before we look at some common shingle options, check out the shingle roof installation video below.

3-Tab Roof Shingles

3-Tab roof shingles are a low-cost option for some property owners. Recognizable by their rectangular shape and offset layout, 3-tab roof shingles were dominant until architectural shingles were developed in the 1970s.

More commonly used for residential roofing projects on a tighter budget, 3-tab roofing shingles are not commonly used for commercial asphalt shingle roof repairs.

While 3-tab roof shingles offer a lower cost option, they are considered a basic shingle choice.

Architectural Roof Shingles

Architectural roof shingles (also known as dimensional or laminated shingles) are manufactured in an array of style and color combinations.

Architectural roof shingles are stronger and more durable than 3-tab shingles when it comes to wind resistance, and many offer longer warranties.

Property owners choose architectural shingles because they look great and can mimic several different styles of roof coverings (like wood shake, tile or slate), while saving cost for materials and installation labor.

Designer Roof Shingles

Recent advancements in asphalt shingle design has bred an entirely new category of architectural roof shingles.

Designer shingles are a premium roof shingle option. These designer roof shingles are made to look similar to wood shake, scalloped slate roof tiles, or other old-world roof designs that give properties an artisan look.

Here are a few designer shingle styles.

50-Year Roof Shingles

Some premium asphalt shingle roofing systems now offer a 50-year warranty. Considered a "best" shingle option, when considering "good" - "better" - "best" options, 50-year shingles use upgraded materials of construction and are heavier than standard architectural shingles.

Quality installation on a 50-year roof is vitally important. Many roofs fail early due to improper installation, poorly designed ventilation, or lack of design for wind or weather.

Experienced, professional installation by a certified installer is critical (and required by manufacturers) to qualify for a 50-year shingle warranty.

Learn about asphalt shingle roof repair >

Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers

RestoreMasters installs only the best asphalt shingle roofing systems from the nation's top manufacturers. While we work regularly with the manufacturers below, we also provide shingle roofing systems from several other shingle manufacturers.

Shingle Roof Warranties

GUARANTEED BY THE MANUFACTURER

As a Certified Roofing Contractor for multiple manufacturers, RestoreMasters offers warranties up to 50 years on asphalt shingle roofing systems.

Roof Shingle Color Pairings

There are dozens of color options available for your roof. Below are a few color options available from the Owens Corning Duration® Series.

Roof Hail Damage Pictures

We are often asked what roof hail damage looks like. Below are some photos of shingle roof hail damage.

How to Select an Asphalt Shingle Roofing Contractor

While many companies offer roofing services, commercial shingle roof installation requires an experienced roofing contractor. If you're looking for a long-lasting roof, you will want to employ the services of a highly-experienced roofing company, familiar with local roofing requirements.

Look for a roofing contractor with the following qualifications:

• Is licensed, bonded, and insured
• Experience installing your type of shingles on multiple projects
• Experience managing staged roofing projects that may require parallel tear-off and installation
• Experience working with insurance companies on damage claims

An experienced roofing contractor can help you avoid leaks and major problems and provide an asphalt roofing systems that lasts for decades.

RestoreMasters has been honored with multiple years on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Companies and consistently ranks among the Top 100 Roofing Contractors in the nation.

In addition to shingle roofing, RestoreMasters offers: shrink wrap roofing, roof tarping, loose lay membrane roofing, emergency roofing & repair, water removal, water damage restoration, mold remediation, catastrophic damage inspections, property damage documentation, testing & damage reports, fencing & perimeter security, disaster recovery services, permanent roof replacement, interior restoration services, professional roofing services for churches, and general contractor services.

We have roofing & restoration locations across the country to serve you better.

View more resources related to shingle roofing systems. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team.

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