Serving the following Phoenix metro areas: South
Phoenix (Ahwatukee), Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and the eastern portions of the Phoenix area.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of residential roof material. In the Phoenix area, tile roofs are gaining in popularity, but for many homeowners a shingle roof is the way to go for a variety of reasons.
Pros
To start with, shingles are relatively inexpensive (at least until recently when the price of oil has made them skyrocket in price), starting at around $1.25 per square foot installed and going up from there. Things that determine the cost of your installation are geographical location, slope of the roof, height of the building, ease of access to the premises, complexity of the project, the particular type of shingle and numerous other factors.
Because shingles are small, self-contained units, they are easily replaced without disrupting the rest of the roof. They also come in a wide variety of styles and colors and are fairly durable (some have been tested and have achieved a class IV hail rating - the highest available!).
Cons
The lifespan of asphalt shingles depends highly upon the environment. Shingles in cooler climates such as the northern United States seem to last longer than those installed in the warmer climates. Studies have shown that the average lifespan for a 20 year shingle in Phoenix, Arizona is around 14 years. In Minneapolis, Minnesota the lifespan was 19.5 years. And in Reading, Pennsylvania, the lifespan was 20.8 years. From this data it seems obvious that the hotter the environment is, the shorter the service life of the shingles.
Other Factors
Another important factor affecting asphalt shingle roofs is attic ventilation. Proper roof ventilation has been known to extend the service life of a roof, and if an attic is improperly installed, the manufacturer will void the warranty.
Shingle manufacturers provide product warranties against manufacturing defects ranging from twenty (20) to forty (40) years. The warranties will cover defects such as thermal splitting, some cases of granule loss, cupping, and curling. It is important that you consider the quality of the manufacturer's written material warranty before making a decision on whose material you'd like to use, even though many warranties are similar.
Whether we can help you with our residential and commercial roofing division or our residential and commercial general contracting division, rest assured that we will do the best we can to inform you of what is most important and you will have the tools to make the best decision.
