Asphalt Shingle Roofing Milwaukee Questions & Answers

Q: Why are asphalt shingles used on roofs?

A: Most people choose asphalt shingles for their roofs because asphalt shingles are durable, versatile, and offer a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures to choose from. Asphalt shingles are the most popular choice of roofing material, and are used in nearly 80% of homes in the U.S.

Q: How are asphalt shingles made?

A: How asphalt shingles are made depends on the type of asphalt shingle (organic-base shingles or fiberglass-base shingles). Generally, shingles are made by saturating a substrate and then layering the substrate with successive coats of material.

Q: What are the different types of asphalt shingles?

A: There are four different types of asphalt shingles: laminated shingles, interlocking shingles, strip shingles, and large format shingles.

• Laminated shingles are also called “three-dimensional” or “architectural” shingles because they have a custom look that has more depth and style than other types of shingles. These tend to be a favorite with contractors and homeowners.
• Interlocking shingles mechanically fasten to one another, providing increased wind resistance.
• Strip shingles are about three times as long as they are wide, and they are noticeable for the number of tabs that they have. The most common type of strip shingle is called the “three-tab” shingle.
• Large format shingles do not have cutouts or tabs, and they usually come in rectangular or hexagonal shapes.

Q: What are the benefits of asphalt shingles?

A: There are a number of reasons to choose asphalt shingles over other types of shingles. Not only do asphalt shingles perform well under environmental pressures (like in areas with extreme temperatures, ice and high winds), but they’re also low maintenance, easy to install, resistant to fire and wind, and affordable. There’s a reason so many people choose asphalt shingles for their homes — they’re the whole package at an affordable price.

Q: How will I know if my roof needs to be replaced?

A: No roof — no matter how well installed or how durable the materials — lasts forever. Although a good roof may last you 20 years and beyond, if you notice any of the following, it is probably time to contact the roof installation team at A Custom To, LLC to replace your roof:

• cracked or missing shingles
• curled shingles
• bare spots in your shingles
• stains or wet spots in the attic (beneath the roof deck and rafters)

Q: What is the difference between the GAF shingle and the Atlas shingle? Is there a difference?

A: These are both good shingles but there are a few differences, with the main differences between the two shingles mostly being in the matting and in the warranties. The GAF is an advanced protection shingle with a thinner fiberglass mat. The Atlas has aconventional asphalt mat.

As for the warranties, GAF has a longer non pro-rated system warranty than Atlas. If you live in the house, it’s a lifetime non-pro-rated warranty which can be transferred one time in the first 20 years (at no additional charge), and the system warranty stays effective. If it’s a rental property, then the system warranty drops to 20 years non pro-rated.

Atlas, on the other hand, has a 15-year non-pro-rated system warranty that can be transferred twice ($100.00 per transfer). Also, the system warranty doesn’t differ from residential to commercial; it’s a straight 15-year non-pro-rated warranty.

If a systems roof isn’t installed, both shingles come with a standard 10-year warranty.