Roofing shingles have come a long way over the years. Asphalt shingles, in particular, have been around since the beginning of the 1900s. Before that, along with a handful of other materials, wood was one of the most popular roofing materials. You can understand why a new product would be sought after considering how flammable wood is. Asphalt roofing first started coming out in sheets in the late 1800s, and it then evolved into cutting the product into smaller pieces and adding granular fragments to increase the shingle durability. These modifications allow the shingles to hold up better and longer under harsh conditions, and resemble the asphalt shingles we see on roofs all around Austin today. Let’s take a look at advances in roofing technology.
Roof Technology Advances
Roof Shingle Advancements
Over the years, many changes to roof shingle technology have happened. Starting as a more organic product from cotton, wool, wood pulp, and asbestos, shingles have developed through time into the fiberglass shingles we have today. These hardy shingles protect from wind and frigid temperatures better than previous roofing shingles. All types of asphalt roofing shingles – whether created of organic materials or fiberglass – are covered with an asphalt-saturated base and coated with granules for added durability. The current shingle we use today is great at resisting algae and performing well under harsh conditions. It also has better adhesion abilities with large adhesive bands to help keep shingle layers securely together over long periods of time and weather conditions.
Roofing System Technologies
Today we use tough, woven, engineered reinforcing fabrics under the roof shingle to allow for good adhesion as well as to provide weather resisting properties. StormGuard by GAF, for example, offers self-sealing protection, which is especially helpful for naturally-vulnerable areas of a roof like eaves, valleys, and around chimneys.
There are also different types of sealing products used to create the perfect seal from wind and moisture. Over the years, staples were tested as well as roofing nails. Today, roofing technology aims to provide great adhesion, roof shingle stability, and wind resistance with as few nails as possible. Fewer nails means less nail penetration through the roof decking surface.
These roofing technologies listed above, combined with a wood decking, are just a few of the items that create your roofing system. Ventilation and venting systems complement these technologies to keep your roofing area, attic, and interior spaces moisture-free and provide necessary air circulation.
Roofing has Come a Long Way
Over many years of roof shingle and product design, advancement in the roofing technologies of today offers superior water-resistance as well as fire, wind, and impact-resistance for a tough roofing combination. Combining top-notch roofing system technologies with modern and advanced installation practices, you can rest assured your house will take the abuse of weather and harsh temperatures considerably well.
Your Favorite Austin Area Roofing Experts
We strive to bring you the best in roofing for the Austin, Texas area. We deliver decades of roofing experience, training, and knowledge in this area’s needs. We will not ask for a deposit on labor or materials as a dependable way to stand out from the competition while bringing you the best product and service in Austin.
We are Master Elite Contractors bringing you the latest in roofing technology and a member of our local area Better Business Bureau, so you know we take pride in our work and our community. Contact us by phone or email to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and quote today.
