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Composite Shingles and Shakes: Should You Use Them?

April 15, 2022

A composite shingle is made of a thin layer of fiberglass over a plywood or aluminum base, bonded with resin. The fiberglass layer provides strength and durability, while the plywood or aluminum provides rigidity and weight. The plywood or aluminum is often covered by a thin layer of asphalt, which provides protection from water. In some cases, pure vinyl is used to create these composite shingles

The intensity of the color can be adjusted by the shingle colorant. There are natural colorants and pigments available, which are environmentally friendly and give the material a natural roof look.

With its artificial characteristics and all the buzz about it, should you use composite shingles and shakes?

What Makes Them Superior Against Traditional Roofing?

Rot, durability, and price have been the top issues of traditional roofing shingles and shakes. Pests and organic life can overtake and sustain themselves on the materials. With composite shingles and shakes, the materials have longer lifespans, better durability, and provide easy installation.

Durability

Composite shingles and shakes are more durable because they are made of different materials and are usually more tightly bonded together than fiberglass shingles. Vinyl, plywood, and aluminum bases can outlast weathering and natural degradation. On the other hand, pure vinyl composite shingles achieve zero erosion and granulation, watertight seals, and high impact resistance.

Longevity

Vinyl shingles and shakes are capable of lasting longer than more traditional building materials because they use acrylic resin that does not allow moisture to seep through and prevents warping over time. They also have a high R-Value which means that they can absorb more heat and cold, even on days when the temperature changes drastically from night to day.

Easy Installation

The lower weight of vinyl shingles allows the installer to work with minimal effort. Vinyl shingles are typically pre-cut and crimped, which saves time and effort. Plus, they have as much weight as asphalt shingles and shakes despite their thick density.

Some Cons of Composite Shingles

Price

Some manufacturers use multiple layers of fiberglass and a polymer resin in their products. The fiberglass layers require a lot of time and labor to produce, as well as specialized equipment. The polymer resin requires heating and mixing, which are both costly processes. Second, composite shingles are more expensive because they require more labor.

Lax Regulations

Composite shingles are relatively new to the industry and have a handful of manufacturers with varying roofing material quality. The lax regulations can result in poorly made shingles that can leak, crack and fall off roofs.

Can They Add Value To Your Property?

A composite shingle is a type of roofing material that can be made from fiberglass, fiberglass-reinforced cement, or asphalt. These types of materials are lightweight, durable, and easy to maintain. Given their energy-efficiency benefits, many homebuyers will likely consider purchasing a property with composite shingles, especially if the roof has been freshly installed.

You can always count on Turbo Roofing to provide you with the highest-quality roofing installations, replacements ,and installations for all your needs. Contact us today to learn more about everything that we can do for you.