Whether you’re installing a residential or commercial roof, asphalt provides a number of benefits to roofing professionals, building owners, business owners and homeowners.
Residential Benefits
When it comes to selecting a residential roofing system, asphalt shingles continue to raise the B.A.R., providing a Beautiful, Affordable and Reliable roofing solution for any home. In addition to having a variety of styles, textures, and colors to choose from, asphalt roofing shingles are cost-effective, durable and easy to maintain.
Some varieties of asphalt shingles are manufactured to resemble tile, wood, cedar shakes or slate, while providing more benefits than these other roofing materials. Neither metal nor concrete tiles match asphalt roofing for its overall combination of beauty, durability and longevity. Asphalt shingles also possess a greater ease of installation and require less maintenance than metal and concrete.
Beauty
- Wide array of rich, gorgeous colors
- Wide selection of textures
- Huge choice of shingle styles
- Look like wood, cedar, or slate
Affordable
- Very affordable
- Many pricing options
- Cost-effective
- Superb value
Performance
- 100-year proven track record in North America
- Long life-expectancy
- Ideal weight; not too heavy or too light
- Fewer leak problems
- Durable
- Excellent uplift resistance
- Excellent fire resistance
Ease
- Ease of installation
- Ease of repair
- Low maintenance
- No additional structure required to carry weight
- No need for ice stops
- Wide availability of products
- Wide availability of qualified installers
Recyclability*
- Shingles are recyclable at the end of their useful life
- Recycling services are available in most major metro markets
- Recycled shingles are widely used in paving, which can reduce cost
- Most scrap from the production process is recycled
- Resources are available to find recyclers and contractors who recycle
This is how residential asphaltic roofing products stack up against the competition.
| Asphalt | Metal | Clay Tile | Concrete Tile | Slate | Cedar Shake | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color range | ||||||
| Range of Styles | ||||||
| EnergyStar compliant options | ||||||
| Natural look | ||||||
| Ease of installation | ||||||
| Lowest installed Cost | ||||||
| Best life-cycle cost | ||||||
| Consistent quality | ||||||
| No deck reinforcement required | ||||||
Commercial Benefits
Manufacturers across North America are making asphalt roofing systems better and more versatile for architects, builders, contractors, roofing consultants and building owner/managers. Thanks especially to the addition of polymers that add stretch and strength, you can now apply your commercial, low-slope roof any way you want it: hot, cold, torch or self-adhered, to meet your individual low-slope roofing project’s needs. Today’s asphalt roofing products are beautiful, affordable, reliable and are trusted to perform exceptionally well against extreme weather conditions.
Low slope asphalt roofing systems, such as Built-Up Roofing or Modified Bitumen, are the most cost-effective choice for commercial roofing projects because they maximize usable space to design areas for recreation or gardens. They provide multilayer protection and easy maintenance, and are widely available and economic.
Affordable
- Inexpensive over entire life cycle
- “Best bang for buck”
- Versatile options — choose the right system for your budget
Availablity
- Easy to find contractors to install
- Widely available product
- Versatile products and systems
Maintenance
- Ease of repair
- Low maintenance
Performance
- Multi-layer protection
- Thermal performance
- Fire and up-lift performance
- Durable, reliable
- Seals concrete decks
- Suitable for all types of roof decks
- Successful 100+ year track record
- Redundancy of layers reduces chance for leaks
- Superb tensile strength
- Withstands high roof traffic
- Strong and tough, today’s formulas resists weathering
- Insulated systems achieve high thermal value
- Adaptable to meet any penetration or flashing detail configuration
ARMA Technical Bulletins:
This is how commercial asphaltic roofing products stack up against single-ply roofing membranes.
| BUR/MB | Single-Ply | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Redundancy of plies | |||
| Centuries of proven performance | |||
| Able to withstand foot traffic | |||
| Variety of application methods | |||
| “Cool” reflective roof surface options (EnergyStar compliant options) | |||
