Why Shingle Roofs Remain So Popular With American Homeowners

Drive through any neighborhood in Yorktown, Newport News or Hampton and look up. Most of what you see is asphalt shingle. Metal, tile, slate and cedar all have their place, but shingles keep winning the everyday decision for good, practical reasons. Understanding those reasons helps you decide whether shingles are right for your home or whether something else fits better.

They suit most budgets and most homes

Asphalt shingles are generally one of the more affordable ways to cover a roof, which is a big part of why builders and homeowners reach for them first. They're also light compared with tile or slate, so most houses can carry them without any structural changes. They go onto simple gable roofs and onto roofs full of dormers, valleys and awkward corners, because a crew can cut and fit them around nearly anything.

Installation is quick

A new roof is a disruptive project. You have crews in the yard, debris coming off the roof and a house that's exposed to weather until the new layers are down. Shingles are one of the faster materials to install. Roof Masters says most residential replacements take one to two days, which is a short window for a job this big. A quick install also means less time depending on the forecast.

Repairs are simple and local

If a limb damages part of a shingle roof or wind lifts a few tabs, a roofer can usually replace just the affected shingles instead of the whole slope. With some other materials, finding matching pieces or the right specialist adds time. Shingle repair is something almost every roofing crew knows how to do well, and the materials are easy to get.

Plenty of looks and colors

Today's architectural shingles have a dimensional look that has little in common with the flat, uniform shingles of decades ago. They come in a wide range of colors, from charcoal and weathered gray to browns and blends that suit brick and vinyl siding alike. Manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning and IKO, all brands Roof Masters works with, also make specialty and energy-efficient shingle options, so you aren't stuck with one look.

What Hampton Roads weather asks of a roof

Our area is tough on roofs. Summers are hot and humid, afternoon storms bring wind, and coastal air carries salt and moisture. Pine needles and leaves settle into valleys and gutters and hold dampness against the roof. Shingles handle this well when they're installed correctly, with the right underlayment, flashing and attic ventilation.

Ventilation matters more than most people realize. Heat and moisture trapped in an attic age shingles from underneath, no matter how good the shingle is. Roof Masters installs ventilation solutions alongside roofs for exactly that reason. If your attic feels like an oven in July or you see damp spots on the underside of the decking, mention it when you ask for an estimate.

Where shingles fall short

Shingles aren't perfect. Metal roofing can outlast them and sheds debris easily, and tile and slate have a look that shingles can't match. Flat and low-slope roofs need membranes like TPO or EPDM rather than shingles at all. If you want a particular look, or you plan to stay in your house for a very long time, a different material might make more sense.

That's one advantage of working with a contractor that does more than one thing. Roof Masters installs asphalt shingle, cedar shake, metal, tile and slate, and flat and low-slope systems, so the recommendation isn't tilted toward whatever single product a company happens to sell.

Warranties give shingles a safety net

Major manufacturers back their shingles with warranties, and good installers add their own workmanship coverage. Roof Masters is a GAF Certified Plus Contractor and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and it offers upgraded GAF warranty options. A manufacturer warranty covers the materials, while a workmanship warranty covers how they were installed. Ask for both in writing, and ask exactly what each one covers, since the details differ between products and contractors.

Getting the most from a shingle roof

• Schedule a roof inspection once a year and again after any major storm.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear so water doesn't back up under the lowest shingles.
• Trim branches that hang over the roof, since they drop debris and can scrape the surface in the wind.
• Check your attic now and then for stains, damp insulation or daylight where there shouldn't be any.
• Fix small problems like a lifted tab or a cracked flashing seam right away, before the next storm finds them.

Your next step

If you are replacing an old roof, or just wondering how much life your shingles have left, Roof Masters can take a look. Call (757) 219-2106 for a free consultation and a same-week estimate, and ask them to explain your options in plain language, including materials other than shingles if they'd suit your house better.