What Are Roofing Shingles Made Of?
The roofing shingles you see on scores of homes across the country are made from relatively few key materials. The most common type of shingle is a fiberglass asphalt shingle.
Roofing asphalt is an end-product of oil refining, and it’s similar to the asphalt on the roads – but formulated to a higher degree of toughness. Manufacturers increase its viscosity by blowing air through it – a process called oxidizing — and a mineral powder is added to enhance weather resistance.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are manufactured to be fire, wind and water resistant. They have a variety of different styles and textures that offer many style options for your roof.
The base of an asphalt shingle is made of either organic or fiberglass material. It is saturated on both sides with an asphalt coating, and the exposed side (also called the backside) is coated in ceramic-coated opaque mineral granules. This surfacing is available in various colors and helps prevent algae growth on the roofing surface.
The granules are also used to add color to the roof and increase the resistance against water intrusion. They are fused together to form a strong and durable roofing shingle. This roofing is also designed to withstand the pressure of heavy snowfall, hail and strong winds. The result is a roof that is resilient and offers a premium appearance. These shingles are more expensive than standard three-tab or architectural shingles but provide a better aesthetic and a longer lifespan.
Fiberglass Mat
Fiberglass shingles are lightweight, durable, and offer homeowners a wide variety of color choices. They also feature an easy-to-install design, making them a good choice for DIYers looking to save on professional installation costs.
Fiberglass mat is composed of chopped strands of fiberglass that are woven into a flat matting and held together by a styrene binder. The material is designed for use with polyester and vinyl ester resins; epoxy resins are incompatible with this material.
The mat is coated with an asphalt blend and a mineral “filler” material that improves the weather resistance of the roofing shingle. This material also helps the shingle resist fire and adds to its overall durability. The shingles are then topped with ceramic granules for color and texture.
Mineral Granules
Those speckled, almost sparkly sand-like granules you see on roofs are not just for aesthetics. These granules provide an important function, allowing rainwater to shed effectively from asphalt shingles.
During the manufacturing process, mineral granules are adhered to the shingle’s surface after it is impregnated with hot saturant asphalt. This asphalt is derived from either natural deposits or as an end-product of oil refining. It is then oxidized by blowing air through it, increasing its viscosity to the proper level for roofing shingles.
The granules come in an array of colors and materials to meet various needs, such as algae-resistant granules which inhibit the growth of black streaking algae on the shingle’s surface. Other granules are designed to reduce smog pollutants and help meet energy efficiency requirements for building codes in certain areas. These granules also add to the curb appeal of roofs with their vibrant color. Backsurfacing sand, a washed and finely ground form of limestone, is also used to prevent packaged shingles from sticking together during shipping and storage.
Back Surfacing
The back of a shingle is coated in what’s called a “back surfacing.” This helps keep the shingles from sticking together during manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. It is also a fire retardant, helping them achieve Class A fire-resistant ratings.
This coating is applied after the fiberglass mat and granules have been layered together. It acts as the main waterproofing element and enhances the shingles’ weather resistance. The aerated asphalt blend is formulated to be durable and hold up well under different roof stresses such as winds, temperature changes, and other factors. Some roofing contractors even offer impact-resistant shingles for those who live in areas susceptible to severe storms. These shingles can protect your home and increase its value.
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The roofing shingles you see on scores of homes across the country are made from relatively few key materials. The most common type of shingle is a fiberglass asphalt shingle. Roofing asphalt is an end-product of oil refining, and it’s similar to the asphalt on the roads – but formulated to a higher degree of…