Asphalt shingles look similar from the ground and behave very differently on a roof. The differences that matter are in the mat, the weight of the asphalt, and the quality of the granules.
Start with the mat
The fibreglass mat is the skeleton of the shingle. A heavier, denser mat resists tearing and holds up better to wind and to the movement of the deck below it. Thinner mats are cheaper and show their age sooner.
Ask for the mat weight per square metre rather than the marketing name on the bundle.
Weight is not the same as quality
Heavier shingles usually carry more asphalt, which means more of the material that the sun eventually dries out. Up to a point, more asphalt means a longer useful life. Beyond that point you are paying for weight you will not notice.
What you want is enough asphalt to hold the granules, and granules that stay put.
Granules do the UV work
The granule layer is what the sun actually hits. Ceramic-coated granules reflect part of that energy and shield the asphalt underneath. Where granules are sparse, the asphalt is exposed and ages first.
Rubbing a sample with your thumb tells you more than a brochure: if granules come away easily, they will come away on the roof too.
Three-tab or architectural
Three-tab shingles are lighter and flatter. Architectural shingles are thicker, laminated, and generally last longer and handle wind better. On a roof you intend to keep, the laminated product is usually the better buy.
The exception is a roof being prepared for sale, where matching the existing profile may matter more than the upgrade.
Before you pay for a new roof
If the shingles on your roof are still sound and the problem is dryness, granules and colour, a new roof may be solving a surface problem with a structural bill. A condition assessment tells you which one you have.
We score the roof first and say so plainly if replacement is the right answer.
Source
Written for Dr. Armor. The original GoNano article this guide draws on: The 10 best asphalt shingles for durability and aesthetics
Questions
Common questions, answered in full
- How long does roof rejuvenation last?Coverage runs from 3 to 20 years, and the roof’s condition score decides which.
- Can you treat a roof that is leaking?No. A leak is a repair job and has to be fixed before any treatment.
- What does the warranty cover?Peeling, curling or warping caused by the treatment, and water getting through.