If you’re thinking about having new asphalt shingles installed on your house, you are in good company. About ¾ of all American homes have this type of roof. This type of roofing is popular because it is affordable on most budgets, it requires very little regular upkeep, and there are many styles available today, so it’s easy to find something that coordinates with the style of your home. Not all asphalt shingles are created equally, however.
As you continue reading this guide, you will learn about some of the best asphalt shingle brands on the market right now. Although these companies’ product offerings may cost more than some of their lower-end competitors, it is worth the money to invest in a product that will give you peace of mind for years to come.
Before we get started, we’re going to take a brief look at how asphalt shingles are made. Almost all of them have fiberglass cores, which make them durable and flexible so they won’t crack in hot and cold weather. They also generally have grains of ceramic across their surface. These protect shingles from discoloration and streaking. Today’s shingles are available in a huge array of colors, so it’s not uncommon for homeowners to take a long time selecting the perfect hue.
There are two types of these shingles available to consumers; these are known as three-tab and dimensional. Three-tab asphalt shingles are not popular these days and are likely to disappear from the market in the near future. Dimensional asphalt shingles, on the other hand, are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and come in a variety of styles, including options that look like wood and tile.
IKO Shingle Brand – While all IKO shingles have thick, dimensional silhouettes, there are several lines homeowners can choose from. These all have different benefits. The Royal Estate and Crown Slate series, for instance, is meant to look like real wood shake and slate tile, respectively. This is a great way to get a high-end look at an affordable price.
If you live in a region of the Carolinas, such as Charleston, SC, that can get hurricane-force winds from time to time, the Cambridge IR and Dynasty lines might be of interest to you. These are rated to withstand up to 130 MPH wind speeds. For those looking to make their homes more energy efficient, the Cambridge Cool Colors line is specially designed to reduce energy bills and lower overall household energy usage.
Owens Corning Duration Shingle Brand – Owens Corning shingles offer a number of benefits, especially for those who live in areas that tend to experience rough weather at different times of the year. All of their shingles are rated to withstand 130 MPH wind speeds and have an algae resistance guarantee, which, again, should be attractive to homeowners in the coastal Carolinas. The brand’s high-end line, TruDefinition, is stunning, but costly, with the price per shingle ranging from $35-50.
GAF Timberline Shingle Brand – GAF shingles have one of the industry’s most attractive warranties. If you purchase five GAF accessories with your roofing shingles (talk to your contractor about what products qualify), you will receive warranty coverage for the roofing materials themselves, the installation process, and removal and disposal of the shingles when they need to be replaced. This is likely to save you some money in the long run!
GAF shingles all fall into the architectural laminated category, which means they have a lot of dimension and texture. They are especially ideal for rustic and coastal homes, depending on what color scheme you select.
If you’re ready to upgrade the shingles on your roof, give the Hatch Homes team a call today. We are excited to work with you on your roofing project, and we would love to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience. We’ve been trusted by families throughout the Carolinas for years, and we are looking forward to adding you to our network!