6 TIPS FOR PICKING YOUR ASPHALT SHINGLES

The thing about asphalt roofs is that it is relatively easy to visibly see a roof that is showing signs of age or general wear. Asphalt shingles that are curled, balding, missing altogether or have black streaks are good indications that your roof needs some love and attention.

Asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing shingle available. They are cost-effective and come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Here are my 6 tips for picking your asphalt shingles:

6) COLOR AND STYLE

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You can really make a statement with the color of your roof. First impressions are everything, so you want to pick the color of your roof carefully. 

Picking the color of your roof is not just about the aesthetics. It’s also about energy efficiency. A dark roof absorbs more heat. Think about the area you live in, as that can play a role in picking the shingles color.

 

 

The color of your asphalt shingles is important, but have you thought about the style? Do you want three-tab shingles, architectural style shingles or slate shingles? 3-tab shingles have been around for a long time, but architectural shingles give you the look of wooden shingles. Something to think about if you have a historic looking home or if you want to enhance the look of your home with contrast and dimension. 

Consider your home’s entire exterior carefully before making a decision. You want to make sure the different colors work together.

There are a lot of different materials to choose from for your roof as well as different brands, styles, and features available to enhance your roof and curb appeal. 

Whether you are considering asphalt shingles or metal shingles, figure out what will suit your needs and get an idea of what kind of price point you’re looking at. The more educated you are about the project, the better decisions you will make.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE COLOR OPTIONS FOR YOUR ASPHALT SHINGLES FOR INSPIRATION.

5) TALK TO YOUR CONTRACTOR ABOUT ALL YOUR OPTIONS 

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I recommend that you do your own research when it comes to picking your asphalt shingles, but then have a conversation with your roofing contractor about your options. 

Your contractor should talk to you about all your roofing options along with their recommendations. Now that you’ve done your research, you’ll be able to have an educated conversation with them about what will best suit your roofing needs together. 

Review the shingle samples together and ask detailed questions.

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HOW TO PICK YOUR ROOFING CONTRACTOR

IMPORTANT: Make sure your roofer uses high-quality ice and water protective membrane. This membrane adheres to the bare roof sheathing and seals around any nails and protects the wood substrate and your roof from ice damming and leaks. 

The membrane should be a minimum of 6 feet from the edge of your roof (eaves). This requirement may vary depending on your local building code specifications. The balance of the roof should be covered with a felt underlayment that helps protect the sheathing from wind, rain, and is also fire resistant.

4) PICK A SHINGLE WITH A GOOD WARRANTY 

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Not all asphalt shingles are created equally. Make sure to choose a shingle that has at least a 25-year warranty. Work with your roofing contractor to understand what the warranty will cover and any proration periods included. 

Remember, that there will be several warranties- the manufacturer’s warranty for the product(s) and the roofer’s warranty. Chances are the roofer’s warranty will be less than the products used so make sure you understand the different warranties and what they mean.

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Roof Maintenance should be on your home maintenance checklist. 

3) PICK A SHINGLE THAT PROTECTS YOUR CURB APPEAL 

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Nothing destroys your curb appeal like a roof with unsightly black streaks. Black streaks found on asphalt roof shingles are usually the result of blue-green algae. 

Using shingles with Scotchgard™ Protector by 3M protects against those ugly black streaks by integrating special copper-containing granules into the granule blend on the shingle. 

Watch below “Mike Holmes’ 5 Tips For Picking Asphalt Shingles”

 

 

A precise amount of copper ions are released over the life of the roof to help prevent black algae streaks from getting established. A layer of roofing granules cover the entire shingle surface helping to protect your home by providing the first line of defense against environmental elements, like rain, snow, and hail.

If you are investing in a new roof, why not pick one that is protected against unsightly black streaks? That’s just smart.

 

 

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2) CONSIDER THE WIND RATING

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If you live in an area with strong winds, you want a shingle to stand up to storms. The asphalt shingle brand I install on my jobsites protects the home against winds up to 150 mph.

 

Here’s a tip-you should let your home insurance agent know if you have wind resistant shingles. You may be eligible for a discount.

 

1) CONSIDER THE IMPACT RESISTANCE

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Think long and hard about the weather in your area. Do you get hail? A beneficial feature you may want to consider is what impact rating your shingles need. 

If you live in an area with poor air quality and high air pollution, you might want to consider getting shingles with 3M™ Smog-reducing Granules that help eliminate smog pollutants and improve the overall air quality.

Choosing your asphalt shingles is not just about how your house looks. It’s about how it PROTECTS your house and your family, and how it adds to the overall value of your home.

 

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HERE IS HOW TO PICK YOUR ASPHALT SHINGLES

 

IMPORTANT:  CHOOSE A ROOFER WHO WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL ROOFING & REPAIR THE SHEATHING 

 

A roofer shouldn’t lay your new roofing material over the old stuff. You want a roofing contractor who will pull up the old material, assess the health of the sheathing, and make repairs where needed. However, I still hear of people re-roofing over existing asphalt shingles, and you can’t mix materials. 

For example, you shouldn’t put asphalt shingles over wood or slate. In my books, if your roof is old, then do yourself a favour and get the old roof removed properly, inspected for defects and moisture damage (also known as soft points), and do it right! 

Also, if you choose to do a re-roofing (new shingles over old ones) you may find that the warranties differ from doing it properly.

 

READ NEXT:

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Roofing Shingles: Atlas Roofing Pinnacle® Shingles Review

RED FLAGS TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ROOF

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR ASPHALT SHINGLES

A Holmes Guide To Prioritizing Home Renovations

8 Home Renovations that Add The Most Value to Your Home

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