With proper installation, today’s asphalt shingles can be manufactured to give the appearance of tile, slate or even wood shakes. The range of colours has increased dramatically in recent years as well. Numerous shades of grey, blue, green, beige, brown and black are also now available to compliment the most discerning eye or strictest architectural control.
Less expensive, maintenance free, readily available and fairly uncomplicated to install, asphalt shingles have long been the roofing solution of choice. Less costly than tile, wood, slate, or metal – their long warranty matches up well against the alternatives. Calgary Roofing Solutions partners with many of the leading Canadian and U.S. manufacturers of asphalt shingles – including IPO, Malarkey, BP and Owens Corning. Asphalt shingles come in two basic types – organic and fibreglass.
Composite Fibreglass Mat Shingles
First developed in the 1980s, fibreglass mat shingles have slowly replaced organic mat based shingles as the preferred option for most roofing applications.
These shingles use an interwoven fibreglass mat base rather than recycled felt paper. Like their organic counterparts, it is coated with small ceramic grains that protect the shingle from the sun’s damaging ultra violet rays. Fibreglass mat shingles have a higher fire rating and require considerably less asphalt to produce. This results in a thinner and lighter weight product providing the same stability with increased durability.
Organic Mat Shingles
Organic mat based asphalt shingles have a long history of protecting Canadian homes. They use a layer of recycled felt paper which is treated for waterproofing with a coating of adhesive asphalt into which tiny ceramic particles are applied. With more asphalt used than fiberglass mat, organic mat-based shingles tend to be heavier and more expensive. While organic shingles are considered more flexible in cold weather, they are also more porous and can sometimes warp with time. The increased asphalt composition may also make them somewhat less friendly to the environment. They are gradually being replaced by fibreglass mat.