Composition

Fiberglass composition is the most common roofing choice in this area for residential homes and comes in a variety of colors and styles. Composition shingles have a fiberglass reinforcing mat at the center. This mat is coated with asphalt and mineral fillers. The fillers adhere to the fiberglass and the asphalt surrounds the structure, making it waterproof. Its top surface is embedded with a layer of ceramic granules.

Composition roofing falls into three major categories:

3-Tab Composition Shingles

3-tab shingles appear as a one layer product with a distinct pattern of tabs. This pattern is caused by vertical slots notched into the visible part of each shingle, splitting the lower half of the shingle into three tabs. This type of shingle is outdated and rarely being manufactured, making it difficult to perform repairs.

Laminate shingles come with manufacturers' warranties of up to 50 years

Laminate shingles (also known as dimensionals) have become the most common choice in composition roofing. They are a more recent variant and are superior to the outdated 3-Tab. Laminate shingles have a second tabbed layer fused to a base shingle, effectively doubling the materials thickness. They have a strong resemblance to wood shake and are available in a wide range of colors.

Premium shingle manufacturers' warranties can be as long as the lifetime of the shingle

Premium shingles are thicker, heavier and represent the absolute top of the line in composition shingles. These shingles typically come with 50 year to lifetime warranties.