Thus far in our Roofing 101 series, we’ve tackled six of the seven different layers of a well-constructed roofing system, sharing the importance of each respective layer.
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered:
- Part 1: The Importance of Leak Barriers
- Part 2: Roof Deck Protection
- Part 3: Starter Strip Shingles
- Part 4: Choosing the Right Rooftop Accessories for Improved Performance
- Part 5: The Importance of Healthy Attic Ventilation
- Part 6: The Importance of Ridge Cap Shingles
In Part 7 of the series, we’ll be talking about the shingles themselves — with a focus on asphalt shingles.
Before we get started, we’d like to note that at Legacy Exteriors our roofing system brand of choice is GAF. They are the top asphalt roofing company in America, offering excellent asphalt roofing systems, along with fantastic warranties. That said, if you choose to work with a roofing installer who does not work with GAF products, you’ll want to make sure you are having a comparable roofing product, with a comparable warranty, installed on your home. The last thing you want to do is spend a little less now, only to pay more later because the materials, installation, or warranty on your replacement roof falls short.
Let’s dive into three asphalt roofing components you’ll want to be educated about before investing in a replacement roof.
What is a quality asphalt shingle is made of?
To begin, it’s important to know which materials are going to give you the most durable asphalt shingle.
A well made asphalt shingle contains more than just asphalt. Let’s use GAF’s Timberline shingles as an example. They’re made of a combination of asphalt, glass fibers, and mineral granules, which all add up to a shingle that will stand the test of time.
To dig a little deeper, asphalt shingles made with fiberglass combine the water-resistant qualities of asphalt, with the immense strength of glass fibers (aka, fiberglass), for a long-lasting product. In addition, a Timberline shingle is topped with mineral granules, which have many purposes including: UV protection, fire resistance, weather protection, temperature regulation, durability, as well as curb appeal.
In all, GAF offers ten different types of asphalt shingle products, and you can see them all here. They are ALL well made products, so just know that Timberline is not the only high-quality option out there from GAF.
Beyond the shingles themselves, you’ll want to take two more important factors into account …
Roof Warranties
We like to think of warranties as an additional layer of a roofing system — and it’s something you don’t want to overlook because it can save you thousands of dollars down the road. Be sure to discuss warranties with your roofing contractor — and be sure to get everything in writing to ensure coverage.
Simply put, roofing systems that are better made typically come with stronger warranties, and GAF offers the strongest warranties in the industry. Instead of listing them all here, you can see all of GAF’s warranties, in detail, here (toward the middle of the page).
If You Can, Go with a Certified Roofing Installer
For instance, Legacy Exteriors is a certified GAF Master Elite Installer, and when you go with a certified roofing installer like us, you can be rest-assured that there is a proven track record of high-quality installations in place, as this criteria is part of the certification process.
In fact, there are additional criteria that a GAF Master Elite Installer needs to attain (and stay compliant with) in order to be GAF certified, including being:
- A licensed roofing installer
- Insured for all of the work
- Reputable within the Madison, WI, and Dane County community
- Committed to ongoing professional training (we’re always up to date on best-practices)
Just remember the contractor that installs your replacement roof is just as important as the replacement roof itself!
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about GAF roofing solutions, you can check out our Asphalt Roofing page.
Contact Us Anytime
If you prefer to chat about your roofing needs, or would like a complimentary inspection of your roof, feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors anytime. We’re always happy to help!
