Nearly four-fifths of American homes have asphalt shingle roofs—and for good reason. Asphalt shingles are economical and fairly easy to install and repair. The two basic types are composition and fiberglass-base shingles.
Composition shingles are made of organic felt manufactured from wood and paper fibers. Fiberglass-base shingles are made of manmade fiberglass mat. Both kinds are soaked in asphalt, but the fiberglass base shingles are more fire-resistant than the organic ones. Asphalt shingles have mineral granules embedded in them; when you find these granules washing away, it’s a sign that you need to repair or replace your shingles.
Although asphalt shingles may look like individual tabs, they are generally manufactured in 3-foot-long strips that are notched to look like smaller units. They come in a variety of weights. Generally speaking, the heavier the shingles, the longer they last.
Make roof repairs on a warm day, when shingles are more flexible (and therefore less likely to crack) and roofing cement spreads more easily.
