Asphalt shingles are some of the most popular roofing materials - probably because they are costeffective. You can choose between fiberglass asphalt shingles and organic asphalt shingles when you install an asphalt shingle roof. Both variants have their pros and cons. However, fiberglass shingles have the following benefits over organic shingles.
Lightweight
Fiberglass shingles are relatively lighter than organic shingles because fiberglass shingles have a lower asphalt composition than organic shingles, and asphalt is heavy. The lightweight nature of fiberglass shingles has multiple benefits, including the ones below.
Ease of Transportation
Light objects are easier to transport than heavy objects. The same truck can carry more fiberglass shingles than organic shingles.
Ease of Installation and Repair
Fiberglass shingles are easy to handle and carry. Roofers can easily haul the shingles onto the roof and move them to different parts of the roof. The ease of handling may translate to faster installation times.
Ease of Overlay
Shingle overlay involves installing new asphalt shingles over old shingles. The major concern with shingle overlay is the risk of overloading the roof structure. Fortunately, the lightweight nature of fiberglass shingles reduces this risk.
Inexpensive
Fiberglass shingles are cheaper than organic shingles. For one, fiberglass shingles' ease of handling and installation may attract lower installation costs. Secondly, roofing manufacturers sell fiberglass shingles cheaper than organic shingles.
Note that asphalt shingles, in general, are some of the most affordable roofing materials in the market. Thus, fiberglass shingles should be your material of choice if you want a budget roof.
Fire Resistant
Organic shingles have cellulose, a paper-based material. Fiberglass is a mixture of reinforced plastic embedded with glass fibers. Fiberglass doesn't burn as readily as cellulose, which makes fiberglass shingles more fire-resistant than organic fibers. A fire-resistant roof is advantageous for everyone, but it's especially great if your area experiences frequent wildfires.
Moisture Resistant
The same material that makes fiberglass shingles fire resistant also makes them moisture resistant. Standing water is more likely to penetrate through cellulose than fiberglass. Again, anyone can benefit from a moisture-resistant roof, but the feature is especially useful if:
- You live in a wet area.
- You have a low-sloped roof that doesn't drain fast.
- Most surfaces of your roof are shaded and don't dry fast.
Note that, in addition to the risk of leaks, moisture accelerates the deterioration of roof materials. Thus, a moisture-resistant roof may require less maintenance than other roofing materials.
Environmentally Friendly
The environmental effects of roofing materials are inevitable. However, fiberglass shingles do not degrade the environment as much as other materials. Fiberglass shingles are ecofriendly because:
- Their ease of transportation translates to low transport-related emissions.
- They contain less asphalt (a limited resource extracted from the ground) than organic shingles.
- They don't contain organic materials (cellulose that comes from wood).
The environmental benefits of fiberglass shingles might not be immediately visible, but they are long-term.
Strong
Fiberglass shingles may be lighter and thinner than organic shingles, but they are also stronger. Organic shingles lose their flexibility with age. The loss occurs as the asphalt in the shingles dries. Since fiberglass shingles contain less asphalt than organic shingles, they don't dry up much. Thus, fiberglass shingles manage to retain their shape even after years of use.
Professional roof installation is necessary whether you have opted for fiberglass or organic asphalt shingles. You also need to inspect, maintain, and repair your roof as necessary. Whittle's Roofing Co., Inc., can help you with all these tasks. We understand the roofing industry - we have been in it since 1972.
Contact us to enjoy our affordable and professional services. We look forward to working with you.
