Asphalt Roofing

    The asphalt shingle is the current standby of modern roofing. It is flexible, inexpensive, easily removed, and widely accepted. The individual who has settled on asphalt shingles as their preferred roofing material is at no shortage of options and colors when it comes to selecting an appropriate finishing touch for their home. This choice is important as it involves the largest surface area of the house.

    Unlike other roofing materials, which can be repaired as needed, asphalt roofs should always be replaced as a whole if at all possible. This is due to their physical composition and uniformity. As every piece of natural roofing is unique in thickness, density, and composition, they each wear at a different rate. Asphalt, in contrast is of a uniform thickness and when one shingle wears out, all shingles will soon follow.

    Although, many roofers will gladly add another layer of shingles atop the existing material, RHR refrains from such practices. Many homeowners imagine that two roofs are better than one, deluding themselves into believing that such an assembly is insulative, or sheds water better. This is untrue because:

• The lower layers often present a false bottom to the new nails fastening the top layer of shingles. this makes it appear that the nails have gained purchase when they have actually slipped into gaps in the sheathing. (pull-outs due to high winds may result.)
• When an old dried-out shingle is pierced by a nail, it does not melt around the nail. Rather, the shingle usually shatters and leaves large loose holes and crumbs that can bunch up along the tar strip, thereby preventing the roof from sealing properly.
• The air spaces between two layers of roofing trap moisture and give a foothold to invading molds and fungi.
• Although all materials (even conductors) have some thermal resistance, the increased mass of multiple layers of shingles serves to store heat and shorten the life of the new shingles
• A damaged roof presents an uneven surface, this results in a bumpy re-roof and gaps under the shingles.

© 2005, 2006