The Few and the Fearless: A Blog About Roofers

Asphalt shingle roofing is common in the United States on residential roofs and has some advantages that can make it the perfect roofing for your home. Shingle roofs are durable and affordable, and finding a roofing contractor that knows how to install shingle roofing is very easy in most parts of the country.

Long-Term Durability

One of the most common reasons people choose asphalt shingle roofing for their homes is the durability that comes with the shingles. When they are installed properly, shingles can last for fifteen to thirty years on the roof of your home. That means that, on average, a homeowner may need to replace the roof on their home once or maybe twice during the time they own the home. 

If you build a new home, the roof will more than likely last until you sell the home and move into a new home later in life. And even homeowners that build and live in the home their entire adult life will more than likely only need to replace the roof one time.  

Price Per Square

Asphalt shingles are extremely economical, and the cost per square can range from $250 to around $400 a square. A roofing square covers one hundred square feet on the roof of your home. 

The cost difference in the shingles is different for shingles with longer warranties and higher-quality construction, so saving some money on the material is possible, but it may come at the cost of a shorter life span for your new roof. Sometimes putting a roof on that is only rated for twenty years is done because the home is going on the market and it saves the seller some money, but if the work is being done for a home you are going to live in, it is a good idea to spend a little more on materials for the added lifespan of your roof.

Proper Preparation

The roofing material is critical to the roof's performance, but the sub straight under the shingle roof is just as important. Most homes have a plywood roof structure covered with a felt paper vapor barrier to support the shingles. If the plywood is damaged, replacing it before putting the new shingle roof on the home is critical. 

The vapor barrier also needs to be replaced every time the roof shingles are replaced for it to perform properly. No matter how good the shingles are, a roof that does not have a strong base and a good vapor barrier can leak and damage the inside of the home.

Contact a company like Bay Area Roofing to learn more.