If you look at the houses in your neighborhood, you’ll most likely see many homes crowned with asphalt roofs. Indeed, this type of roofing material is the number one choice of homeowners throughout the United States. Let’s take a quick look at the selling points and negatives of asphalt roofing.
Asphalt roof benefits
Asphalt is such a popular roofing choice because it brings with it a large assortment of advantages. Joe Hobson, of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, notes that some of the biggest pros of choosing asphalt for your roof include:
- Affordability
- Storm resistance
- Fire resistance
- Wide variety of styles
- Relatively simple installation
- Minimal maintenance
- Easy repair
In general, you’ll enjoy a wide selection of styles with a high performing product that requires very little in the way of seasonal upkeep.
Asphalt roofing negatives
No product is perfect, and there are certainly some negative aspects associated with using asphalt for your roofing material. A negative for some homeowners is the fact that asphalt shingles are such a commonly used material that houses tend to look the same within a community. Other negatives include (1) vulnerability to hail damage, (2) prone to moss and organic material growth, and (3) not environmentally friendly as old shingles end up in landfills.
Older asphalt shingles may blow off during hurricane-force winds, allowing water to enter your home. Although not as hurricane-resistant as metal and cement tile roofs, Florida’s rigorous building codes have made a significant improvement in asphalt shingle storm performance. Tornado Roofing & Contracting Inc. takes pride in adhering to the most stringent installation guidelines so you can depend on your roof to stand up during a fierce storm.
Choose a color and style
One of the advantages of asphalt is that it comes in a vast variety of colors and styles that encourage you to unleash your inner home designer. You’ll live with your roof for many years, so it’s worth a little effort to choose a look that suits your style. Consider things like (1) house color and style, (2) neighborhood roofs, (3) HOA rules, and (4) personal design favorites when picking a color and style. Don’t hesitate to knock on a front door to ask the homeowner what color and style of roofing grace their home.
Read the GAF Style Guide for help in designing the roof of your dreams.
Lastly, asphalt roofing might be right for you if you want a dependable and low maintenance roofing material that will fit your pocketbook and is flexible enough to meet almost any house style. Contact us at Tornado Roofing & Contracting Inc. for the lowdown on the pros and cons of all types of roofing materials.
