What Are The Different Types Of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles comes in three varieties, organic-mat based, fiberglass, and also architectural style shingles. The most affordable option is the organic mat based shingle, which is waterproof and made up of paper coated with asphalt. The next best asphalt shingles are fiberglass roofing shingles, which are treated with a resin that creates a waterproof and fire resistant material. The best asphalt shingles aesthetically speaking are architectural shingles which are two layers of shingles treated and bonded with a sealant that is aesthetically pleasing and adds an elegant look to your homes roof. Each shingle type differs by cost, durability, and overall appearance which we discuss below.
Should You Consider Diy Roof Installation
As we discussed before, professional labor to install a new asphalt shingles roof constitutes at least 70% of the total cost. This means that you can potentially save thousands of dollars if you can do the tear off and installation yourself.
The million dollar questions is, should you?
When it comes to asphalt shingles, one of their biggest benefits is that they are extremely DIY friendly. Indeed, asphalt shingles is one of the very few roofing materials that a handy homeowner can put up on their own.
Shingle installation does not require any special tools or technical training. This is the reason why so many roofers install them its the easiest entry point in this field.
You can purchase all the necessary materials and supplies at your local big box home improvement store, and avoid the hassle of hiring a roofing company. In fact, basic 3-tab roofing shingles is one of the cheapest roofing options out there, and you can have a brand new roof for under $3,000.
Moreover, there are many step-by-step guides and YouTube videos on how do this correctly.
Keep in mind that when you buy shingles, you need to carefully measure your roof and also buy extra shingles to account for the waste factor. Typically, gable roofs require about 5% waste, while hip roofs are about 7.5%
Still, if you do everything carefully and educate yourself about the nuances of proper installation, you can do a very successful shingle install and keep thousands of dollars in your pocket.
Want More Information About Shingle Roofing
If youre still wondering what a shingle roof is or whether it would be right for your home, give Rite Window a call today! Wed be happy to explain how high-quality shingle roofingcan improve the style, value, and durability of your property. To get started now, submit our quick online form to request a free consultation from our roofing experts!
Don’t Miss: Best Placement For Screws In Metal Roofing
How Many Bundles Of Shingles Do I Need For A 10×12 Shed
To calculate the amount of shingle bundles needed for a 10×12 shed, you first have to calculate the square footage of the roof.
Lets say this shed has a gable roof running parallel to the long end of the shed. The shed also has a roof overhang of 1 all around. Therefore the length of one side of the roof is 14.
The pitch of this roof is 4:12. A rough estimate of the width of one side of the roof is just a bit over 5 say 53, which is 5.25 feet. Add a foot of overhang and you get 6.25. Multiply this by 14
Multiply the two and you get 87.5 square feet. Multiply that number times two and you get 175 square feet your total roof area.
Now you need to find out how many bundles of shingles is required for 175 square feet of roofing. Divide 175 by 100 to find out how many squares of roofing you have. This equals 1.75. We know that each square of roofing requires 3 bundles of shingles, so 3 bundles of shingles times 1.75 roofing squares equals 5.25 bundles of shingles.
You still have .25 of roof leftover. It would be prudent to purchase one extra bundle of shingles to ensure you cover your entire area and to replace any damaged shingles in the future.
Thus, it takes 6 bundles of shingles to properly cover the roof of a 10×12 shed with a gabled roof and a 1 overhang around all sides.
How Many Shingles In A Bundle
Im starting to think about re-shingling my roof as its got some age and the shingles are looking a little rough. Since my roof is a couple of rectangles, its easy to calculate the surface area. I figured I could estimate how many shingles I needed and the total cost. But before I calculated the cost, I still needed to know how many shingles in a bundle?
For traditional asphalt 3-tab roof shingles, there are 26 pieces in a bundle. Architectural shingles will have around 21 shingles per bundle for similar square footage, as they are larger than standard 3-tab shingles.
Depending on the shingle manufacturer, the number of shingles in a bundle can vary widely. Since shingle dimensions vary so much, it is often helpful to have a shingle calculator to determine the number of pieces and bundles youll need for your project.
In this article, well take a look at a shingle calculator that helps you with precise estimates for your roofing material, as well as various examples of roofs and how to determine shingle bundles and squares for a new, shingled roof.
Quick Navigation
Don’t Miss: Repair Roof Trusses
What Are Asphalt Shingle Roof Materials
Youll find asphalt shingles include the following materials layered together:
- Fiberglass mat: helps them remain flexible in extreme cold and rigid in heat. It provides a lot of the wind and impact resistance properties.
- Asphalt: Waterproofs the shingles and glues the granules to the mat. Often has mineral fillers to help with fire resistance, weathering, flexibility and durability.
- Granules: Helps protect the asphalts coating against deterioration from the suns ultraviolet rays. In many cases, algae-resistant granules are included to help inhibit blue-green algae growth, which causes unattractive black streaks and discoloration.
- Back surfacing: A fine mineral material applied to the back of the shingle for production, storage and shipping purposes.
How Many Shingles In A Square
For regular 3-tab, non-laminated shingles, youll have around 78 shingles per square. Some older styles of 3-tab shingles will have up to 87 shingles per square. Architectural shingles will have anywhere from 57 to 66 shingles per square.
The number of shingles in an architectural or laminated shingle bundle vary since there are many, many different varieties of these types of shingles available for purchase. Sizes are different and therefore the number of shingles in a square differs from square to square for that type of shingle.
Also Check: Roof Cost California
Comparison Of Asphalt Shingles To Other Popular Materials
Heres a summary of how asphalt shingles stack up against other popular roofing options.
- Metal roofing: From the upfront cost perspective, asphalt shingles cost less to install initially, but they generally have a higher lifetime cost. In other words, youll initially spend less for asphalt/fiberglass shingles than for metal but will need to replace the asphalt shingles once or a few times during the 30 to 50 years time-span. So, over the long-enough timeframe your total cost might actually be higher with the fiberglass composition shingles compared to metal. That said, asphalt shingles are easier and cheaper to repair when roof damage occurs.
- Clay and concrete tile: Shingles cost less, are easier to install and more versatile. They dont last as long, so the lifetime cost of asphalt shingles is comparable to clay and concrete tiles. Shingles can be DIY installed tiles should be professionally installed because improper installation can cause major damage to your home. Shingles can be installed on almost any roof, while a tile roof will require roof frame reinforcement.
- Cedar shakes and shingles: Asphalt shingles cost less, but dont last as long, so they might ultimately have a slightly higher lifetime cost. Asphalt roofs are generally easier to clean, repair and maintain than cedar shingles and shakes, and they are more resistant to fire and insects.
Find A Roofing Contractor Near You
Once youve chosen the perfect shingle for your home, its time to find a trusted roofing contractor to do the job. Find independent roofing contractors in the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network in your area to request a quote.
Owens Corning® roofing shingles linked to in this post may only be available regionally. Please visit our Roofing Shingles page and ensure your zip code is correct to discover Owens Corning® roofing shingles available in your area.
Recommended Reading: Metal Roofing Screw Pattern
What To Know About Shingle Roofing
For those wondering, What is a shingle roof? heres the straightforward answer: its a roofing installation covered with shingles. Shingles are flat, rectangular pieces of asphalt, composite, or other roofing material theyre applied from the base of the roof upwards and often overlap to provide full coverage.
But theres a lot more to shingle roofing than this basic definition. Learn more about the construction and benefits of this common roofing material below.
How Do Solar Shingles Work
Solar shingles have been commercially available since 2005, and although they have evolved over the years, the basic idea is still the same: merging solar panels with the roof instead of just mounting them on top of it.
All solar shingles are designed to function as both roofing materials and power sources, but they can achieve that dual identity in a few ways. Some solar shingles use silicon as a semiconductor, as do most conventional solar panels, while others rely on thin-film solar cells, which feature super-thin layers of certain photovoltaic materials, like copper indium gallium selenide or cadmium telluride . The thinness of these solar cells makes them lighter and more flexible, both broadly useful qualities. While older versions of flexible thin-film solar roofing had to be installed on top of another roofing material, newer products are rigid and sturdy enough to serve as shingles themselves.
Like traditional rooftop panels, solar shingles convert solar energy into electricity by harnessing the flow of electrons released when a semiconducting material like silicon, CIGS, or CdTe is hit by sunlight. While solar shingles and solar panels generate electricity with the same fundamental , they do have significant differences in appearance, materials, and installation.
The cost of solar shingles can vary by several factors, and its generally worth shopping around locally for quotes. Some brands may cost only $10 or $11 per square foot.
Read Also: Can You Put A Skylight In A Metal Roof
Do I Need A Permit To Install Or Replace My Roof
Typically, yes. The particulars of who can pull a permit and what information is required varies by state and municipality. Check with your local building department to find out. The average cost for a building permit is about $250 to $500. Failure to get a permit may result in work being stopped before the roof can be completed. If a project is completed without a permit, you may have difficulty selling your home in the future because an inspector or appraiser will likely notice and flag the work.
Hire a roofing pro for your installation project
How To Measure A Roofing Square
Starting a new roofing project can introduce homeowners to many roofing-specific terms, and one of the first you’re likely to come up against is “roofing square.” Measuring in squares is unique to the roofing industryfor homeowners, understanding how these measurements work can be an unfamiliar but vital part of planning for your roof repair or replacement.
You May Like: Garage Roof Trusses
Find The Area Of The Footprint Of The Roof
To calculate a roofs dimensions, you need to measure the roof as if it were flat, then account for roof pitch, calculate square footage, and finally determine how many squares of material are required for the roof.
The calculator above can handle all of this, simply enter the length, width, and pitch, and it will determine the size of the roof in squares.
Start by measuring the roofs length and width in feet as youre standing on the ground. Remember that the length and width need to be found for the roof, not the house, so take into account that the roof overhangs the building.
Then determine the area of the roof as if it were flat. Multiply the length by the width in feet to get the area measurement.
What Is A Square In Roofing
A roofing square is the amount of roofing material required to cover 100 square feet of roof. When calculating the number of shingles you need to cover your roof, youll calculate the area in terms of squares. Therefore if you have 2100 square feet of roof, youll need 21 squares of roof material.
A square of shingles is the number of shingles needed to cover a square of roofing. Whereas a bundle of shingles can vary in square footage, a square of shingles is always 100 square feet. This makes it easier when purchasing roofing materials since manufacturers will package 3 or 4 bundles of shingles to add to an even square.
A square in roofing is always 100 square feet. This refers to the square footage on the roof surface. It doesnt necessarily have to be a perfect square and is a quick way to calculate the quantity of roofing material that youll need for your job.
Youll always need more shingles than youd think to cover a square of roofing. Even if a shingle is 12 wide, some of that is covered by the shingle on top of it. Therefore, only about 6 to 8 of each shingle is showing. Thus, for standard 3-tab shingles, you may end up with 80 or more shingles in one square of roofing.
You May Like: How To Extend A Metal Roof Overhang
What Is A Bundle Of Shingles
A bundle of shingles is one package of shingles. Shingle manufacturers will package their bundles so that several usually 3 or 4 will add up to 100 square feet. A bundle of shingles will contain anywhere from 15 to 29 shingles, depending on the type and size.
It is important to note that there is not a uniform number of shingles per bundle. The number of shingles in a bundle will vary tremendously depending on if you have typical 3-tab versus laminated or other specialty shingles.
A bundle can only be so big. They are designed so that the average person can pick them up and move them, so you will never have one bundle drastically larger or heavier than a bundle for a different type of roof shingle.
Initially, a bundle of shingles was supposed to cover one piece of roof sheathing 32 square feet. And three bundles would add up to 100 square feet. The advent of laminated shingles, which are much thicker than standard 3-tab, have created bundles with a total area that is less than the original 32 square feet.
Top Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers
IKO
IKO Asphalt Roofing Shingles effectively protect for your home and family against inclement weather. High end options that can mimic the sought-after designer look and beauty of genuine slate tiles or wood shakes. Many have Class A fire ratings. Except for the Marathon and Cambridge, the rest have high wind resistance ratings.
- Traditional 3-Tab
- Cambridge: Basic architectural shingles with straight, not angled, cuts.
- Dynasty: Dimensional shingle with a high wind rating and algae resistance.
- Nordic: Dimensional shingle with a high wind rating, algae resistance and class 4 impact resistance.
- Crown Slate: Performance designer shingle that mimics slate.
- Armourshake: Performance designer shingle that mimics wood shake.
- Royal Estate: Performance designer shingle that mimics slate
Owens Corning
Owens Corning currently offers nine lines of shingles with varying wind resistances. All except the 3-tab come with a limited lifetime warranty. Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration laminated architectural shingles start at $35 and can cost as much as $50, depending on color and style.
- Duration: mid-priced architectural shingles
- Woodmoor: Same as Woodcrest but thicker and heavier.
- Supreme: Standard 3-tab.
GAF
Ready to start your asphalt shingle installation?
Read Also: How Many Screws Per Sheet Of Metal Roofing
Do You Need A New Roof
There’s no denying when a roof destroyed by fire, windstorm, hail, or other severe weather needs to be fixed. But often, the need for repair or replacement is signaled by a seemingly innocent ceiling stain or drip. That telltale sign can end up being fairly inexpensive to fix or may require a costly overhaul.
Sometimes you can find the leaks source yourself if you have an unfinished attic and can locate the water trickle along a rafter or stud. However, its best to have an experienced roofer do an inspection and handle the repairs. We dont recommend homeowners navigate steep ladders and pitched roofs themselves.
The remedy may be as simple as filling in a crack with caulk, replacing a few shingles, or installing some flashinga membrane of metal that redirects water. Most leaks can be stopped if theyre limited to a few spots. But if youre experiencing recurring leaks and your roof is out of warranty, a new roof is in order. Even without obvious signs of damage, its wise to replace an out-of-warranty roof thats more than 20 years old.
How Many Shingles Do I Need To Cover A Roof
The number of bundles or squares you need will depend on the surface area of your roof, and its pitch or slope. For example, a 2,000 square foot roof will require 20 squares or 60 bundles. A professional will likely purchase slightly more materials than necessary to ensure there is extra material if needed.
For an accurate account of the number of square you need, use our Roof Shingles Calculator.
Also Check: Cost Of New Roof California
