GAF ASPHALT ROOFING
WHAT IS ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFING?
Asphalt roof shingles are the most popular roofing material used on homes across North America, and with good reason. They are designed to protect a home through decades of weathering with minimal upkeep, and are available in hundreds of colors and styles.
There are three major categories of asphalt roofing shingle products available today - strip shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles. It is important to understand the differences between each type of roofing shingle in order to pick the right product for your home.
TYPES OF ROOF SHINGLES
STRIP SHINGLES
Also known as 3-tab shingles (due to the cut of the shingle) or simply strips, strip shingles are the original and most basic asphalt shingles.
They are made from a single layer of asphalt and have a very flat appearance that typically offers a slate look. Since they are made from a single layer, they generally weigh and cost less than other asphalt shingles.
DIMENSIONAL
SHINGLES
Also known as architectural or laminate shingles, dimensional shingles are the most prevalent asphalt shingles. These products are manufactured with two or more layers of asphalt that are fused together for a thicker and richer multi-dimensional appearance, and are engineered to replicate the wood shake and natural slate roofing aesthetics.
LUXURY SHINGLES
Luxury shingles are of the highest-quality of laminated shingles available, offering a differentiated appearance or functionality that outclasses that of dimensional shingles. Known as the ‘heavyweights’ that offer premium protection for weathering.
These products offer the most realistic representation of the old-world wood shake and quarried slate roofing.