When it comes time to replace the roof on your existing home or have a new one put on your newly built home, you have a couple of options. Two of the most popular include asphalt and composite shingles. Knowing the main differences between the two will help you to better determine which one is the right choice for your home.
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are constructed with a fiberglass mat base that consists of a combination of granules, tar, and fiberglass. This type of shingle comes in three different styles. You can purchase shingles designated as three-tab, architectural, or luxury. Asphalt shingles are considered the most popular option on the market today.
What Are Their Benefits?
When it comes to price, asphalt shingles beat out composite shingles every single time. In fact, the average homeowner can expect to pay between three to four times more for composite shingles as compared to architectural asphalt shingles. When it comes to affordability, asphalt shingles can’t be beaten, which is one of the biggest reasons that they’re so popular for a variety of homes throughout the country.
Warranty coverage is another aspect that you’ll want to consider when purchasing a new roof. Asphalt shingles tend to come with a 25- to 30-year enhanced warranty, depending on the specific shingle manufacturer that you choose. It’s important to note that your chosen roofing professional must install all of your roofing products from the same manufacturer to take advantage of this enhanced warranty coverage. Composite shingles will only come with a limited, prorated warranty.
What are Composite Shingles?
Composite shingles are constructed of either synthetic polymer or other recycled materials. These roofing shingles are specifically fashioned with molds to look like either slate or cedar shake roofs. You may hear composite shingles referred to simply as synthetic shingles due to their material makeup. It’s important to note that some homeowners confuse composite shingles with composition shingles. The latter is a synonym for asphalt shingles.
What Are Their Benefits?
One of the biggest benefits of investing in composite shingles is that they significantly boost your home’s curb appeal much more than asphalt shingles probably would. This is because they’re carefully constructed to have that unique slate or wood shake look to them. If you desire a luxurious-looking roof, then composite shingles may be the way to go.
Another great benefit of composite shingles is their longer lifespan. On average, composite shingles will last for between 40 and 50 years due to their high durability and impact rating. Compare that to asphalt shingles, with an average lifespan of around 30 years, and it becomes quite clear just why composite shingles are highly desired.
When it comes to being weather resistant, composite shingles tend to beat out asphalt shingles. Composite is much more durable and can withstand more harsh weather conditions. In fact, composite shingles are known to handle storms with wind gusts up to 190 miles per hour. Compare this to the 90-mile-per-hour storms that asphalt shingles can handle, and it becomes obvious which option is better.
Making the Right Investment Decision
No matter what shingles you decide to go with, having a new roof installed is going to be quite costly for most homeowners. It pays to weigh out the pros and cons of each type of shingle to determine which one best fits your needs and your unique budget.
If your main concern is functionality and affordability, you simply can’t beat asphalt shingles. They’re much more affordable than composite and will withstand average weather conditions. If you’re more concerned with a high-quality look and live in a region of the country that experiences nasty windstorms, then composite is the way to go. It will withstand those storms with no problem and will provide a nice and luxurious look that you’ll be proud to see every time you pull into your driveway.
Reliable Roofing Service
At Loyalty Exterior Solutions, we offer reliable roofing services for Needham, MA and the entire surrounding area. We can also assist with all of your solar, gutter, siding, and decking needs. Simply contact our office today to get the professional help that you require for your home or office.
