Your roof is not something that you want to scrimp and save on. Sure any savings that come your way are great but don't ever go the cheap route, discount is one thing but cheap another completely. You need to choose the roofing shingles that are good quality, the ones that will last you for many years to come. You also need to choose the roofers that will provide you with the best job possible while not cutting any corners whatsoever.
There are basically two different kinds of asphalt shingles for you to choose from when you need a new roof put onto your home. You have the fiberglass shingles and then you have the organic-mat shingles. While both of these are indeed made with asphalt they are very different in their composition.
The difference is immense but it is simple. You see all shingles have a reinforcing mat and the fiberglass ones have a mat made out of fiberglass. This is what makes them strong and durable and the organic shingles use something else entirely. Their mat is made out of wood.
Organic mat shingles are made up with a couple of different layers of asphalt. First of all the organic part is coated with what is a soft asphalt and then when this has been done and has dried it is again coated but with a harder asphalt. This final layer gives it the strength that it needs to protect your home against all of the elements. The fiberglass shingles on the other hand have no soft layer, they don't need it all they have is the hard coating and that is good enough to keep them strong all year round year after year.
You will find that the fiberglass asphalt shingles are much lighter than the organic alternative. This makes them idea for those who want to do their own installation. They are also better when it comes to a fire. They have a much better fire rating on the other hand the organic ones are better for cold weather. It is all a balancing act really, you will have to think about the area in which you live as that will play a big part on the choices that you make.
About The Author:
Ronald has been in the roofing industry for over 15 years and has worked in residential and commercial environments. To get
classic roofing tips and step to step instructions on picking and installing the perfect roof for your home, visit http://www.dtsarchitects.com , his roofs site.