The Anatomy of America’s Most Popular Roof, the Asphalt Shingle Roof – Tools and Materials Used to Build a Roof
The asphalt shingle roof is a slice of Americana as old as the Model T, baseball, and rock n’ roll.
It is quintessentially classic, equally a testament to classic architecture, American-designed durability, and affordable luxury. For generations, this class of roofing has been the toast of the industry.
But what’s it all about? What’s that thing made out of?
Buckle in friend, because we’re here to break it all down for you—from the shingles and tools to the starter strip.
The Shingles
See? We told you we’d start with shingles, easily the most recognizable element of your roof’s DNA.
Despite the name, asphalt shingles contain anywhere from five to 35 percent asphalt, the rest is typically made of mineral fibers and cementitious fillers. Now, here’s the kicker: asphalt shingles come in all sorts of configurations, with three main variants:
- Strip Shingles
- Dimensional Shingles
- Luxury (Laminate) Shingles
Because asphalt shingles are so durable, malleable, and versatile, manufacturers can custom-tailor shingles to fit specific environments. Common treatments include algae resistance, enhanced reflective cooling colors, and even hail protection.
The Underlayment
Unless there’s a serious issue, you’ll never see your roof’s underlayment.
It’s the water-resistant material installed directly onto the roofing deck, your most basic line of defense against severe weather, wind, and humidity. This piece of security works in tandem with your shingles, a security blanket to protect the bones of your home.
This layer is normally made of either asphalt-saturated felt, non-bitumen synthetic, or rubberized asphalt.
Ice and Water Barriers
This is sort of like the high-tech top sheet between your underlayment and shingles, this barrier protects against wind-driven rain and ice dams. The barrier also features a slip-resistant surface that roofers use for traction during the installation process, at which point they will ensure that the barrier forms a waterproof seal against any nail punctures.
Hip and Ridge Shingles
The hip and ridge shingles are something like a roofer’s signature, the final stamp of shingles on your home. They’re installed at the peak of the home, joining together two slopes for weatherproof protection.
Because they come in a variety of thicknesses, shapes, and colors, the hip and ridge shingles have the ability to add a bold splash of style to your new roof.
Ventilation System
Simply put, the ventilation system moves troublesome air from your attic.
This system vents out moisture, stale air, and heat from your attic—which would otherwise be a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Proper ventilation also helps keep the entire home insulated, cutting energy costs with foundational security.
You’ll notice three main types of ventilation systems in Florida:
- Ridge: These run along the very top of your roof.
- Static: Horizontal vent openings or vent-covered holes.
- Gable: Installed at the ends of the attic; may be connected to other ventilation systems.
Starter Strip
Remember at the start, when we said from shingles to starter strip? Well, here we are—the starter strip.
This essential element waterproofs the eaves and rake edges of your home during installment. Laying down a secure layer of shingle-backed waterproofing and wind protection. The starter strip will come in rectangular shingles, so as to match any type of shingles, and will likely be gray—since the other shingles will completely cover it.
Install Asphalt Shingles on Your Home
Whether you need a new roof or just a roof repair, Proformance Roofing offers top-quality service that cannot be beaten.
We complete most jobs within two weeks, boast unmatched customer service, and utilize groundbreaking tech and modern tools in our approach—we’ve got your roof covered.
Those are the Tools and Materials we use to build your roof. Still have questions?
Protection, the Proformance Way
Don’t be afraid to ask questions when choosing a roofing company—make sure that you’re getting shingles you can be proud of. Call Proformance at 833-467-7635 to schedule a consultation today!