When choosing shingles for a house one of the most difficult tasks at first is picking out the right colour. The next hardest step is ensuring that you will have the shingles with the best performance. That's why in this article we consider 7 performance indicators that you should consider when choosing shingles.

Composition of Shingles

Whether you choose composition/organic or fiberglass shingles, they are both soaked in asphalt. Composition shingles are made from wood and paper fibers whereas fiberglass is made from artificial fiberglass matting. The main difference between the two is that fiberglass shingles have a higher resistance to heat which means they'll last longer.

Grading / Warranty

When it comes to asphalt shingles there are typically three grades to choose from: "good", "better", or "best." The "good" singles are generally thinner, come with a more restrictive warranty and include most three-tab shingles. The "better" and "best" shingle options are thicker and come with a longer lasting warranty.

Solar Reflecting

Since roofs are the most susceptible to the sun, it's important to consider shingles that will help block UV rays so that the air conditioning costs can be decreased.

Wind Damage

When choosing shingles it's important to consider their resistance to wind damage. So when making your decision, choose ones with the highest fastener pull-through resistance and seal-adhesive bond strength. You can also consider fastening a durable underlayment and/or seal the plywood seams to further prevent wind damage.

Hail Damage

If you're in an area where hail occurs commonly then you'll want to consider the impact resistance of your shingles. Choosing one with a higher impact level will ultimately help prevent damage from hail.

Fire Resistance

When considering which shingles to get, there are a variety of options that provide fire resistance when combined with a fire resistant barrier installed underneath them. If you're in an area however, that is prone to forest fires that cause flying embers then it's important to consider the spacing between shingles. If you choose a style of shingles that have wide spacing it will allow the ember to penetrate the roof.

Algae Resitance

While algae is not believed to damage asphalt shingles, it has been known to create an aesthetically unpleasant effect on them. So when choosing shingles ensure that you have ones that can undergo various treatment methods that can prevent discoloration from algae growth on the roof.

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