When the time comes for your next roofing replacement, premium asphalt shingles are likely some of the materials you will consider installing.
Other than the higher cost, do you know what actually makes premium shingles better than non-premium types?
The Value of Premium Shingles
While each product installed by a roofing service may be different in terms of the many features available with some premium shingles, these are some of the qualities that many higher-priced, more functional shingles have.
- Thicker and More Durable - Premium shingles are made with more layers of material, making them thicker and more three-dimensional than plain 3-tab shingles. Today, many of these products are called “dimensional” or “architectural” shingles, as the thickness enables them to be formed into a three-dimensional shape.
- Improved Impact Resistance - An important quality that manufacturers have added to their thicker, more durable shingles is greater impact resistance against hail. In areas where hail is common, it can mean fewer roof repair bills when the shingles can stand up to it better.
- More Energy Efficient - Many premium roofing replacement shingles have higher R-values due to having a thicker, more reflective granule coating that reflects more UV rays off the roof, rather than allowing them to be absorbed.
- Greater Fire and/or Wind Resistance - Certain types of premium shingles are designed to be extra wind resistant for climates that experience hurricanes or with added fire resistance for regions where wildfires are possible.
- Longer Life Expectancy - Based on many of these qualities and the quality of the manufacturing materials used, there are premium, long-life shingles for roofing services to install with life expectancies up to 50 years.
- Designer Appearance - Another great thing that premium shingles bring is the variety of different textures, shapes, and colors. Designer shingles made to look like slate or wood or in specific shapes that resemble Victorian, traditional, or other roofing styles have reinvented the asphalt shingle, turning it into a much more appealing roofing option beyond the convenience of standard, lower-cost types.
Ready to Choose Premium Shingles?
Premium shingles used for a roofing replacement do cost more than plain ones, but with good reason.
Though you might spend more initially having a premium shingle roof installed by a roofing service, these and other improvements mean a longer-lasting, more efficient, and more cost-effective roof and less roof repair in the long run.
The dimensional and architectural asphalt shingles of today are a great choice for a great-looking, economical roof that lasts almost as long as other installations while giving your home the protection it needs!