The Pros and Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

There are a lot of different options when it comes to roofing, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to look carefully at the roofing material before you make a decision – the roof, after all, plays a vital role in protecting your home and family. Additionally, the last thing you’ll want is to pick a roofing material that not only does a poor job protecting the home, but that will end up requiring constant repair, something that can get quite expensive as it adds up.

As far as your roofing options go, one that you should be sure to look at is asphalt shingle roofing. The following are the pros and cons of asphalt shingle roofing that you should take into consideration when comparing roofing materials:

The Pros of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

The following are the benefits of using asphalt shingle roofing for your home:

• Asphalt shingles are inexpensive – Out of all the roofing materials that are available, asphalt shingles are probably one of the most affordable choices, making them a good option for homeowners on a budget.
• Asphalt shingles fit any style – Curb appeal is important, especially if you ever plan on selling your home. One of the benefits of using asphalt shingles is that they are very visually flexible. They come in a number of different styles, including laminated, three-tab and premium versions. This means that they can fit a wide variety of home styles without looking out of place.
• Asphalt shingles are easy to install – Because they are so light and easy to cut, they are relatively easy to install. Very little prep work is needed and no special tools are required. This means that it won’t take as long to install an asphalt shingle roof as it might if you’re using another roofing material.
• Asphalt shingles are easy to replace – First of all, you can replace your shingles one at a time since you don’t have to replace the entire roof. Secondly, because of how easy they are to install, replacing asphalt shingles is easy.

The Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

The following are some of the drawbacks to using asphalt shingle roofing for your home:

• Asphalt shingles are more vulnerable to wind uplift – Cheaper versions of asphalt shingles can be more vulnerable to strong winds, which can cause them to detach, thereby making your roof more vulnerable to leaks.
• Asphalt shingles can crack – Because of how light they are, asphalt shingles can crack more easily, especially when they are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause shingles to expand and contract, resulting in cracks. Extreme heat can also cause asphalt shingles to crack.
• Asphalt shingles need to be installed in warmer temperatures – It’s generally not a good idea to install asphalt shingles during the winter, especially if temperatures are below freezing. This can cause the shingles to become damaged during installation.
• Asphalt shingles don’t offer a unique look – Although they won’t damage the curb appeal of your home with their look, asphalt shingles aren’t exactly unique. You won’t make your home stand out with the use of asphalt shingles as you might with other roofing materials, such as wood shingles or shakes.
• Asphalt shingles don’t last quite as long – Because they are lighter, cheaper and more prone to damage, asphalt shingles simply don’t last as long as some other options.

These are some of the pros and cons of using asphalt shingles. Be sure to keep these pros and cons in mind when comparing the use of asphalt shingles to other options and to help make your decision.