Many roofing Houston contractors recommend asphalt shingles because they can offer homeowners durable and strong protection from the sun without burning a hole in their pocket.
Asphalt shingles can last a very long time. On average, asphalt shingles will last at least 30 years. Aside from material quality though, there are many other factors that can affect the performance and durability of asphalt shingles.
In this article, we will talk about three of the most common factors that can affect the performance and overall lifespan of your new asphalt shingles. Talking about these factors with your chosen roofing Houston contractor can greatly help you understand the necessary measures you should take to extend its lifespan.
Poor Ventilation System
If a contractor does not talk to you about your ventilation system, in relation with your upcoming roofing repair, you should ask them about it. A poor ventilation system doesn’t automatically mean a weak roofing system, but it does affect a roof’s overall health in a bad way.
To get the maximum service life out of your shingles and every other building material used in your new roof, your attic area must have proper ventilation. It strengthens the overall airflow in your roofing system and your whole house, as a matter of fact.
There are some roofing Houston contractors who do not consider ventilation in the attic to be a big design consideration – but that’s the distinction between the good ones and the best ones.
Deck Movement or Failure
Simply put, when your roof deck is not solid and does not have a solid foundation, you will have some problems in the very near future.
If your contractor did not properly inspect your roof deck or structure, or they didn’t perform the necessary repairs, there are two things that could happen: deck movement or deck failure. Either way, you can use the highest quality asphalt shingle but it will deteriorate faster if the roof deck is not in top shape.
Ice Dam Formation
The dangers of ice dam formation can affect both your roof and your family. Now that you are having new shingles installed, your contractor must be able to provide your roof with an added protection system from ice dams.
Usually, there are four things that a good roofer would do:
- Insulate the attic area to aid in melting of the snow
- Insulate the plates to ensure eave ventilation
- Install baffles to help in insulation
- Measure the outer edges of the gutters against the slope line (outer edges must be lower) to easily let snow and ice slide off the roof
As you can see, the key to a good ice dam protection system is insulation. Your contractor should talk to you about that.
Finding and buying the highest quality or most expensive asphalt shingles do not guarantee that your home will stay protected from external factors forever. Talk to a roofing Houston contractor to know what exactly you can do to get the most and best performance out of your asphalt roof shingles.
