Architectural Shingles: Replacing Roof Shingles

An ideal roofing material can enhance the looks of your house to a great extent. So, the material you choose should be durable and economical at the same time. Architectural shingles is one such roofing material, which is very popular. This is a type of asphalt shingle, introduced during the 1970's. Since then, its popularity is on the rise and it has been touted as the highest quality roofing material. It is also known as laminated or dimensional shingles.

Nowadays, architectural shingles are replacing roof shingles of many people's homes. They are available in a variety of colors, textures and styles. Some of these shingles are designed in such a way that they give a three-dimensional appearance. Usually, installation of these shingles involves nailing, but some of them have interlocking tabs in addition to the former facility. Architectural shingles come with a longer warranty period and some types of these roofing shingles have a warranty of forty years.

Structure of Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles are nothing more than specialized asphalt shingles. They have a heavier base than the traditional asphalt shingles. This base is made of either fiberglass or some organic material and is coated with asphalt. They are also coated with colored granules to add texture. These shingles are heavier, more durable and offer a visual effect to the roof surface. All of these features add up to make architectural shingles more expensive than other roofing shingles.

Pros and Cons of Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles offer a wide range of color, pattern and texture. Some of them resemble slate shingles, natural stone or cedar wood shakes. These shingles are resistant to damage caused by insects and can tolerate winds up to a speed of 120mph. They can withstand high temperatures and are also fire resistant. Some of these shingles also possess algae resistant and impact resistant properties and most of them come with a lifetime warranty but some may be subject to algae and mildew growth in damp conditions. This can happen if there is an accumulation of wet leaves and other materials on its surface. If your house is located in an area which has moist climate, then you must go for algae-resistant variety of architectural roof shingles. Another drawback is the high cost of these shingles, but the positive side is that it is worth the cost.

Replacing Roof Shingles
If existing roof shingles are damaged, then you can consider replacing roof shingles with architectural shingles. Broken or damaged shingles can damage the structure of the roof. You can either remove the old one and install new roof shingles, or as some people do, install the new one over the old roof shingle itself. According to them, the old one can act as an extra insulation and as a barrier against leakage. This measure can also save the costs of removal and disposal. One important point regarding replacing old roof shingles is that you should be aware of the local laws in this regard. In some places it may be illegal to have more than one layer of roofing, whereas others may allow two.

If you want to retain the old one, check for any damaged shingles, which should be repaired or replaced before installation of the new one. After that you have to apply a layer of 30-pound roofing felt, on which the new roof shingles can be laid. The roofing felt helps to make the new shingles stronger and more durable. If the existing roofing is damaged severely, it is better to remove the whole roofing and start from the beginning. This gives you an opportunity to check the sheathing for water leakage.

Architectural shingles is always a better option as a roofing material. If you are constructing a new house, you can apply this roofing material, which can add to the beauty of your house. You can also consider replacing roof shingles with the long lasting architectural shingles.