Asphalt shingles:solid facts in 60″
Some important facts about asphalt shingles given epigrammatically:
1) The hotter the climate the shorter the expected life of asphalt shingles.
2) The biggest the exposure to sun the shorter the life of asphalt shingles.
3) The more inadequate the attic ventilation, the shorter the life of asphalt shingles.
4) The darker the color of the asphalt shingles, the shorter their life in sunny places.
5) Damages or poor craftsmanship related to flashing details is the major cause of roof leaks.
6) Asphalt shingles are not completely waterproof. They exhibit a certain porosity. They need a minimal slope in order to fulfil their protective role.
7) Underlayments – or underlays – are an absolute must under asphalt shingles. The best choice – if you can afford it – is an SBS modified self adhesive asphalt membrane.
8) Storage conditions of asphalt shingles are really critical for their future behaviour. Asphalt shingles should be stored in closed spaces well protected from rain, snow, radiated heat, UV and freezing conditions.
9) The aging procedure for asphalt shingles starts from their very production time and not from the moment they are installed.
10) If asphalt shingles are stored in more than 2 pallets high stacks, they will most probably have problems with distortions and sticking to each other.
11) Fixing of asphalt shingles should be made with roofing nails and not staples. Stapling causes problems to their integrity.
12) Hand nailing is more accurate than pneumatic nailing. It is slower and more expensive, however.
13) Some granule loss is normally anticipated during the first months after shingles’ installation. If granule loss is excessive, there is probably some problem with the shingles (aging, brittleness etc.).
14) Asphalt shingles need a minimum maintenance at least once a year: flashing repairs, gutters cleaning, algae removal, caulking etc. Normally this can be effected at a do-it-yourself level.
15) As everywhere in life you will get what you pay for. There is an enormous quality span in the market.
This quality span can be apportioned to all the basic constituents of the asphalt shingles: asphalt binder, glass mat reinforcement and ceramic granules.
16) There may exist guarantees of 30 or even 50 years, but these are marketing exaggerations.
The functional life of the best quality asphalt shingles is between 15-20 years – at least in climates like that of Greece.
Don’t set unrealistic expectations for these products!
17) The best asphalt shingles will be compromised by a problematic support or a poor craftsmanship.
18) Color shading can cause minor or bigger aesthetical problems. For all important/prestigious projects the shingles should come from the same lot.
Chris Strogilis
Civ. Eng. – MBA – DipM
http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com
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