What Are Composition Shingles?

Composition shingles are the most common type of shingles used on single-family homes. They are also the easiest to maintain and are the least expensive roofing option available. Composition shingles are made with a fiberglass reinforcing mat that is in the center of the shingle. It is then coated with mineral fillers, asphalt, then embedded with a layer of ceramic granules.

The Different Types of Composition Shingles

There are three different types of composition shingles available.

• 3-tab shingles. These are asphalt shingles that have three regularly spaced tabs, giving them a repetitive pattern. These shingles have a life expectancy of approximately 20-30 years.
• Architectural shingles. These are also known as laminate shingles or dimensionals, and in contrast to 3-tab shingles, they have two layers of shingles that are bonded together, which gives them a three-dimensional appearance. These shingles have a life expectancy of approximately 50 years and some have even been known to last a lifetime.
• Designer shingles. These were made to extend the shingle concept to include countless styles that range from an Old World look to a Victorian, rugged or some other type of dramatic cosmetic effect.

When having composition shingles installed on your home, it’s imperative that you hire a roofer who knows what they’re doing. If you don’t, and the roofer you’ve hired doesn’t install your new shingles to the exact manufacturer’s specifications, it could void your warranty.

Some manufacturers require their shingles to be hand nailed and others have very specific requirements as to how many nails should be used per shingle and where those nails should be placed. So as you can see, one uneducated or careless roofer could cost you dearly.