How Are Asphalt Roofing Shingles Produced?

For most homeowners in Maple Shade, NJ, and other Mid-Atlantic communities, calling in a roofing service to replace their asphalt roofs is a significant investment. Taking the time to do your research and understand what asphalt shingles are and how they’re made can go a long way toward helping you make a sound decision and ensuring your lasting satisfaction.

We’ve previously written about the telltale signs of stormwater damage in roofs and discussed the most popular roof designs in America. In this article, we’ll provide a brief explanation of what asphalt shingles are and how they’re made. Keep reading to learn more.

What is in an asphalt shingle?

Asphalt shingles are roofing shingles that are made out of a felt paper or fiberglass base that’s coated with a layer of waterproof asphalt and topped with ceramic granules. Due to their excellent performance, cost-efficiency, and customizability, asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing material in the USA today.

Today, the old 3-tab shingles are falling out of fashion and are being steadily replaced by the far more advanced and versatile architectural asphalt shingles. They’re also being made using more modern and eco-friendly roofing technologies that make them easier to recycle, replace, and maintain.

How is an asphalt shingle made?

The asphalt shingle manufacturing process uses a continuous sheet that serves as the foundation upon which the other materials are layered. These materials include:

Step #1: Fiberglass

Fiberglass mats made of glass fibers of specific diameters and lengths serve as the base that reinforces asphalt roofing shingles. They also provide fire resistance, weather protection, and extend the roof’s life.

The asphalt shingle manufacturing process begins with these fiberglass mats being bound together with binders and stable resins so that the other materials can be layered on top of them.

Step #2: Asphalt

This is the main ingredient of asphalt roofing shingles. Its purpose is to provide water resistance and keep protective granules in place. The asphalt used for this purpose is a final product of oil refining, and looks and feels similar to road asphalt.

Unlike its road counterpart, however, shingle asphalt is heavily processed through oxidation to make it tougher and more resistant to the elements. This process includes boosting the asphalt’s viscosity by blowing air through it and mixing in fine mineral powder to increase each layer’s weather and fire resistance properties.

Step #3: Granules

Finally, stone or ceramic granules are installed on top of the asphalt layers. These granules give the shingles their reflective qualities, and can also be painted and shaped in a variety of different ways to give the shingles their unique look and style. They can even be made to faithfully mimic other materials such as slate, wood, and more.

Where in Maple Shade, NJ & the rest of the Mid-Atlantic can I hire a quality roofing service?

Nu Look Home Design is an in-demand roofing company that operates across Maple Shade and other communities in New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland. Our hard work and commitment to quality has earned us numerous awards, including our 2013 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence, our 2020 Qualified Remodeler Top 500, and many others.

Get in touch with us today and experience a higher standard of service that puts your needs front and center, and ensures your long-term satisfaction.