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What is a clay tile roof? Are they worth it?
Aaron Venegaz is the President and founder of Global Exterior Experts and has been in the construction / roofing industry for over 15+ years. He started the company back in 2010 and done everything from scheduling appointments to putting down roofs. He's also done everything from commercial roofing to residential roofing and has also worked with almost every single roofing material multiple times over the past 15 years.
Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials for residential homes because they are affordable, durable, and available in many styles. This guide explains what asphalt shingles are, how they work, what they cost, how long they last, and whether they are worth it when planning a roof replacement with a roofing company.
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What Are Asphalt Shingles? Are They Worth It?
Asphalt shingles are roofing materials made to shed water, protect your roof deck, and give your home a finished look. They are made with a base mat, asphalt coating, and mineral granules on top. For most homes; they are worth it because they still offer a good price while still having performance, availability, and curb appeal.
Here’s the direct answer: asphalt shingles are usually worth it if you want a practical roof replacement that does not cost as much as metal, slate, tile, or cedar. They are not the longest-lasting roof option but they're one of the most balanced options for most property owners.
Not to mention, a good roofing company will not just look at the shingle itself to judge the quality of a roof. The real question is whether the full roofing system is built correctly like having the right underlayment, flashing, ventilation, starter shingles, ridge caps, and ice and water protection.
1. What Are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are individual roof pieces installed in overlapping rows. Their main job is to move water down and off the roof before it can reach the wood decking underneath.
A basic asphalt shingle has three main parts:
• A fiberglass mat or base layer
• Asphalt coating for waterproofing
• Mineral granules that protect against sun and weather
Modern asphalt shingles are usually fiberglass-based. It's because the fiberglass mat gives the shingle structure while the asphalt helps block water. Then the granules on top protect the shingle from UV damage and add the nice colors you see homeowners showing off about.
That last part matters more than people think; without the granules, the asphalt would break down much faster in the sun and basically make it pointless to install.
2. The Main Types of Asphalt Shingles
Alright, let’s talk about the choices you have when installing a shingle roof since not all asphalt shingles are built the same.
3-Tab Shingles
3-tab shingles are the most basic type. They are flat, lightweight, and usually the cheapest option.
They can work fine on simple roofs, but the downside is that they usually do not look as dimensional and may not perform as well in rough weather compared to architectural shingles.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles on the other hand, also known as dimensional shingles, are thicker and more layered. They are far more common for modern roof replacement projects because they look better and usually offer stronger performance making them more worth it if you're going to be living there more than 10 years.
These shingles create a more textured roofline and can even mimic the look of wood shake or slate without the same cost or weight.
Luxury Shingles
Luxury shingles are the premium asphalt option; they're are heaviest & thickest of them all and are designed to create a high-end look. They cost more, but they can make sense for homes where appearance is a major priority.
3. What Makes an Asphalt Shingle Roof a “System”?
Here’s the thing: shingles are only one part of the roof. A roof is a system, and every layer has a job.
A proper asphalt shingle roofing system may include:
• Roof decking
• Underlayment
• Ice and water barrier
• Starter shingles
• Asphalt shingles
• Flashing
• Ridge caps
• Ventilation
• Drip edge
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association explains that underlayment adds protection between the wood deck and shingles, while ice and water barriers protect vulnerable areas like valleys, chimneys, and roof penetrations where water is most likely to start leaking first & cause the most damage.
This is why the cheapest roof quote is not always the best value because if a roof replacement skips key system pieces, the shingles may be fine, but the roof can still fail and cause leaks before it should've.
4. How Long Do Asphalt Shingles Last?
Most asphalt shingle roofs last about 15 to 30 years, depending on the product, installation, roof design, ventilation, weather, and maintenance.
A simple way to think about it:
• 3-tab shingles: often around 15 to 20 years
• Architectural shingles: often around 20 to 30 years
• Premium asphalt shingles: sometimes longer with the right conditions
Lifespan also depends heavily on the roof itself. A low-slope section, poor attic ventilation, bad flashing, or repeated storm exposure can shorten the life of any shingle.
And yes, a roof can look “fine” from the ground while still having cracked seals, lifted tabs, soft decking, or flashing problems. The damage that could cause a leak tomorrow could look like no big deal today.
5. How Much Do Asphalt Shingles Cost?
Asphalt shingles are popular partly because they sit in a reasonable price range but it all depends on a plethora of factors.
For a normal roof replacement, expect pricing to change based on:
• Number of layers being removed
• Roof pitch and height
• Chimneys, skylights, and valleys
• Decking repairs
• Permit requirements
• Ventilation upgrades
• Material availability
• Local code requirements
If the roof deck has rotten plywood, that's going to add cost to replace. If the city needs a specific ice barrier coverage, that's going to add cost to install. These are not “extras” just for the sake of it. They are part of building the roof correctly.
6. Are Asphalt Shingles Worth It?
Yes, asphalt shingles are worth it for many property owners especially because they are practical, affordable, and easy to match with most home styles and siding colors.
They are especially worth it considering if you'd like:
• A lower upfront cost than metal or slate
• A clean residential look
• Many color and style options
• Easier repair options
• Widely available materials
• A roof system most roofing crews know well
They may not be the best choice if you want the longest possible lifespan on your roof or you live in a harsh hail zone like Illinois, or just want a premium material look because asphalt shingles just can't do that in most cases.
Still, for a typical home in a suburban area where the above factors don't bother you, asphalt shingles hit a strong middle ground for most. You get solid protection without turning the roof into a luxury construction project and you don't break the bank.
7. Pros and Cons of Asphalt Shingles
Let’s keep this simple.
Pros
• More affordable than metal, tile, slate, or cedar
• Many colors to choose from
• Easier to repair
• Good curb appeal
• Materials is easy to source
Cons
• Shorter lifespan
• Can be damaged by severe hail or high winds
• Attic ventilation is very important for lifespan of the product
• Algae streaking can be very noticable
• Not ideal for very low-slope roof sections
• Cheap installation can cause premature failure
The product you get installed matters, but installation matters just as much. A strong shingle installed over bad decking or poor flashing is still a weak roof.
8. What to Look for Before Roof Replacement
Before you approve a roof replacement quote and start preparing for the replacement, slow down and check the full scope of work. The proposal should explain more than “install shingles.”
Look for details like:
• Shingle brand and product line
• Tear-off and disposal
• Underlayment type
• Ice and water barrier locations
• Drip edge
• Flashing replacement or reuse
• Ventilation plan
• Ridge cap shingles
• Permit handling
• Cleanup and magnet sweep
• Manufacturers warranty
Here’s a practical tip: ask how the roof will be ventilated. Intake and exhaust ventilation help reduce heat and moisture buildup in the attic. If ventilation is ignored, shingles can age faster causing them to fail even faster, and the attic can develop moisture issues.
Also ask about code surprises. Sometimes a roof looks simple until the old shingles come off. Damaged decking, missing drip edge, bad flashing, or outdated ventilation can change the final scope.
9. How Long Does Asphalt Roof Replacement Take?
Most asphalt shingle roof replacement jobs take one to three days for an average home. Factors like; abnormally large homes, steep roofs, bad weather, decking repairs, or inspection delays can stretch the timeline to be way longer than expected.
A basic timeline often looks like this:
• Day 1: tear-off, decking inspection, dry-in, shingle installation begins
• Day 2: finish shingles, ridge, vents, flashing details, cleanup
• Day 3 or later: extra repairs, inspections, punch list items
Material delays can happen especially in a time like this and things like special colors or premium shingles can be hard to come by. Permits can also affect scheduling which are 100% mandatory for a replacement. Some cities move fast on inspections while others drag their feet, especially during busy roofing seasons after storms when everyone's replacing their roofs.
Planning ahead helps. Do not wait until the roof is actively leaking into the house if the shingles are already curling, cracking, or losing granules.
10. When Should You Replace Asphalt Shingles?
You may need roof replacement if you see clear warning signs.
Watch for:
• Missing shingles
• Curling or lifted shingles
• Heavy granule loss
• Exposed fiberglass mat
• Leaks or water stains
• Soft roof decking
• Repeated repairs in the same area
• Cracked pipe boots
• Rusted or loose flashing
• Shingles older than their useful life
One missing shingle does not always mean you need a full replacement. But if the roof is old and problems are spreading, repairs can become a temporary patch on a system that is already worn out.
That is where a proper roof inspection helps. You want to know whether the issue is isolated or part of a larger failure.
11. Planning Advice Before You Choose Asphalt Shingles
If you are comparing options, do not shop by shingle color or pricing alone. Start with your home, your budget, and your long-term plans.
Ask yourself:
• How long do I plan to own the property?
• Is curb appeal important for resale?
• Does my area get hail or high winds?
• Is my attic ventilation working correctly?
• Are there leaks or soft spots already?
• Does the roof need permit approval?
• Am I choosing basic, architectural, or premium shingles?
For many homes, architectural shingles are the best value. They cost more than 3-tab shingles, but they usually look better and offer stronger performance. If the budget allows, that upgrade is often worth considering.
Summary: Are Asphalt Shingles a Good Roofing Choice?
Asphalt shingles are a good choice for many homes because they are affordable, reliable, and flexible enough to fit different budgets and styles. They are not perfect, and they are not the longest-lasting material on the market, but they deliver strong value when installed as part of a complete roofing system and can be easy on the pockets for now.
If you are planning a roof replacement just focus on more than the shingle. Look at the full system, the ventilation, the flashing, the warranty, the permit requirements, and the quality of the installation plan.
The next step is simple: compare shingle types, inspect the roof system, and get a clear written scope from a roofing company before choosing the cheapest bid. That is how you avoid surprises and end up with a roof that protects the home the way it should.
