Having an idea on how asphalt shingles are made can help you pick better quality shingles. Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, Inc, one of the top roofing contractors in the state, gives you an overview of the manufacturing process below.
An asphalt shingle has three primary components: fiberglass, asphalt, and granules, which make up the base, the coating, and the protective layer respectively.
First off, fiberglass isn’t the only material used for the base of asphalt shingles; organic felt, which is made from recycled wood and paper, is used as an alternative. However, most homeowners tend to favor fiberglass because of its higher resistance to fires.
Super-heated asphalt is then applied to the fiberglass base. Asphalt can be sourced either from natural deposits or crude oil refineries. To stabilize this thick hydrocarbon and make it more fire-and-weather resistant, mineral stabilizers like fly ash or limestone are added.
However, this asphalt coating is still vulnerable to UV rays, which is why manufacturers add granules with UV-resistant ceramic coating. Fine sand is spread throughout the shingles before the granules are embedded. Manufacturers color the ceramic coating to give shingles a certain hue.
Keep in mind that it’s normal for a few of these granules to be dislodged during the installation process. But you should check the warranty on your shingles if one too many came loose. Granules in your gutters and bald patches on shingles are not a good sign.
Before having new shingles installed, it would be a good idea to have your gutters checked. Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to spill onto your new shingles.
And to minimize granule loss during the roof installation, only hire a contractor with extensive experience. Less experienced contractors may make a lot of unnecessary movements on your roof, stepping on shingles and dislodging quite a few granules.
Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, Inc has four decades’ worth of experience in the industry. We offer roof installation and gutter replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (785) 727-7575 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Colby and Hays, KS.