Nailing This Down

Posted on: 3 May 2022

Shingles have long been a preferred material in the roofing industry. In fact, they are so ubiquitous that when you say the word "roof," many people automatically picture a shingle roof. However, that does not mean the shingles used to make today's roofs are the same as those used to make roofs a couple of decades ago. Modern shingles are different — and mostly better — in the following ways.

More Stable Mats

The base of the shingle, which is the part that sits directly on the wood layer of your roof, is made from a combination of asphalt and other materials. In the past, there was often a lot of cellulose in this mixture. However, shingles with a high proportion of cellulose tend to break down and wear out faster. So, these days, most shingles have a mat that's made with more fiberglass. The fiberglass makes the shingles more rigid and durable. If water seeps behind the shingles, the mats are less likely to begin rotting and breaking down. This is one reason why modern shingles tend to last so much longer than those from decades past.

Better Adhesives

The tops of the shingles are fitted with granules. These granules serve an important function. They help encourage water to run off the shingles rather than pooling on them. They also give the shingles some durability against friction from tree branches and wind. Once the granules wear away, the shingles are more likely to begin leaking. So, shingles with better-attached granules tend to last longer and develop fewer issues. Modern shingles are made with better adhesives attaching the granules to the shingle mat. So, the granules stay in place longer and through more intense weather exposure.

More Specialized Varieties

Back in the day, shingles were shingles. You used the same ones on a home in Florida as on a home in New York. This is no longer the case. Shingles now come in a range of different varieties made specifically for certain climates and conditions. For instance, in a hurricane-prone area like Florida, you'd use wind-resistant shingles. In a place with heavy snowfall like New York, you use shingles made to resist cold temperatures and snow.

Shingles have been around for a long time and will likely be around for many more years. However, roofing manufacturers have made a lot of improvements to shingles and will likely continue to improve them in years to come as well. For more information about shingles, contact a local roofer.