Picture
Asphalt is the most common type of roofing used in the United States today. Low priced and generally quite cost effective, asphalt roofing is usually effective in any climate, but may require more replacement and repair, depending on your weather patterns.

Asphalt is made of crude oil. That is the same oil that is used to make kerosene, gasoline, and motor oil, as well as vinyl products. It is the leftover components that are residual in the production of oil and gas products. The asphalt is about 80 percent carbon based, which will explain why it typically has the dark black color and has an oily feel to the touch.

Asphalt tiles for roofing are created from this crude oil by mixing them with substances called aggregates, such as gravel or sand. That finished product is what we call asphalt. The dark black tar grips very firmly to the aggregate which makes asphalt tile a very durable product, suitable even for Tennessee roofing where the weather can get a little wild at times. When the tar that it is created from is used in roads, the asphalt is poured over a heavy bed of gravel or crushed stone. It is then pressed down hard into the surface very firmly. When it is used in roofing, much the same kind of compression takes place which makes it sturdy enough to last on your roof for several years.

It does harden a bit more over time but there is still enough flexible behavior to ensure that if the tiles have to bend they can do so. It's quite popular as a roofing surface. The tiles are bendable, and it can take a great deal of wear and tear or even a vast amount of the rays of the sun and still come out strong. The typical asphalt roofing material will last between five and ten years when not subjected to high winds or to heavy storms.

There are a few drawbacks to using asphalt roofing. It will burn much more easily and it can be very tiles are subject to tearing as anyone who has worked on roofing knows. It can, over time, harden and become quite brittle, breaking very easily and allowing water to hit the roof itself where it may lie below the remaining shingles and cause some water damage.

While asphalt roofing is a very cost effective way to cover your roof, you are reminded that no matter what kind of roofing you are using, a yearly roofing inspection is always a good way to ensure that your roof and the furnishings below stay dry and undamaged.


2/4/2015 11:39:32 am

The asphalt is about 80 percent carbon based, which will explain why it typically has the dark black color and has an oily feel to the touch.

Reply
1/26/2022 07:53:15 am

Thanks for elaborating how asphalt is guaranteed to give your property a durable roofing system that can last for decades. I've been looking around for ideas on how to create my dream home where I can live with my wife. I'll keep this in mind as a roofing option when we start construction in the future.

Reply



Leave a Reply.