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Important information is contained
on this page for anyone that is looking to install an asphalt shingle roof. |
Fiberglass
Roofing - Shingled Roofs Must Be Ventilated Properly
The fiberglass base shingles of today are especially susceptible
to heat degradation. Most Roofers do offer a Ridge Vent on every
steep sloped roof, regardless of the existing situation. This is
done to address a serious concern, but the measures that are being
employed everyday usually produce an imbalance in ventilation. Nothing
could be more ridiculous and potentially harmful than this approach.
The thinking is that hot air rises and it will eventually leave
the attic when the roof heats up enough to facilitate the relief
of this heat pressure. This is known as thermal buoyancy. The roofers
of old used this narrow approach and it used to be adequate several
decades ago. Today the mere reliance on thermal buoyancy is no longer
adequate and manufacturer warranties are commonly voided because
of lack of proper ventilation. Homes have changed and are now tighter
than they have ever been. The roofing shingles of today are made
up of only one type of asphalt adhered to a stronger, yet more brittle
reinforcement.
Please
ask your field estimator about shingle failures and voided warranties.
No matter how strong the warranty seems, there are caveats for inadequate ventilation. What
is adequate ventilation? Start to answer this by reading the fine
print in the warranty.
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Great
New Product! The
Certainteed Centennial Slate is the most realistic
Asphalt Product on the market. The computer enhanced color
placement of the granular surfacing materials creates
the faux slate look that is as close to real as you can
find. As the majority of the lifetime products in this
category are generally manufactured for the higher slopes
(as in staying with true slate roof installations), this
product is made to show off even on a lower slope, the
realistic hues and textures of real slate.
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To
the left is a photograph of a roof that when taken,
was only seven years old. The three tab shingle
was rated and warranted for twenty five years. Lateral
cracking was caused by thermal shock from super
heating of the roof deck. The attic was improperly
ventilated.
The
warranty coverage was voided because of poor ventilation. |
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To
the left is a depiction of the basic 3 tab Asphalt
Roofing Shingle. |
Fiberglass
Based Shingles History
In the late 1970’s while the country was transfixed
on the long waiting lines for gasoline, and the
impending threat of being rationed petroleum, the
asphalt roofing shingle industry was in the midst
of radical change. Over the time period of about
five years, the northeast roofing shingle marketplace
was dominated by the fiberglass roofing shingle.
This new breed of shingle was a much lighter and
seemingly a more uniform product. The major manufacturers
had made the big switch, it seemed overnight on
their basic three tab roofing shingle.
The
fiberglass base of the shingle was not organic,
would not rot, and did not have to be saturated
with a saturant asphalt, as did the old organic
paper mat base products. The production plants only
needed to apply an adherent asphalt to the mat and
attach the granular surfacing and release material
and the lighter and purportedly better products
were ready for packaging. There was a savings on
the amount of asphalt used in manufacture, hence
it seemed even a patriotic effort, given the petrochemical
and economic climate of the time.
Shortly
after the onset of these products, some of the downside
of the original design started to show itself in
the field. It was a decade of major improvement
that followed, compensating and improving in that
original product design. Some of the manufacturers
touted better seal strips than had ever been seen
in the industry. Some of the manufacturers, like
Johns Manville, produced such a uniform product
that installers were thrilled at the increased ease
of production.
Overlays
with Fiberglass Shingles
Over
the top installations were affected drastically
as installers had to improperly nail (or “nail
high”) the product in order to recover roofs
without the old roof courses showing (or “telegraphing”)
through for a lumpy roof. “High nailing”
commonly caused blow-offs on over-the-top installations.
The increased heat retention of the overlays gave
the fiberglass based products their true field tests.
High heat seemed to degrade the fiberglass shingles
much faster than their organic, heavier, two step
asphalt predecessors. The reasons were two fold.
The mat was more brittle and it was common to see
roofs crack laterally, as never seen before. The
adherent – only, more brittle, thinner shingle
was not as malleable, and therefore more susceptible
to thermal shock. The process of reformulating the
products continued. The asphalt mixes were improved
and stricter quality control standards were put
into place.
We
do not advocate reroof overlays - They do not last
- Flashings are ignored - They leak - Please ask
your estimator about this.
Laminated
Shingles
Laminated
Shingles like the GAF Timberline, Certainteed Landmark,
and others are a fantastic value. Improvements on
these products are ongoing, and they are better
now, in sevaral ways, than they have ever been.
In some ways, however, we have lost quality. The
original ship-lap design provided a product that
was very uniform and when a roof was properly installed,
the completed roof looked uniform and the butt joints
were virtually invisible. A design was present that
provided a double layer over the nails and the shingles
had to be installed in a set stagger system.
Again,
product “improvements” were made to
the original design. The fiberglass mat, asphalt,
and seal downs were upgraded. A company named ELK
started to produce a much more inexpensive laminated
roofing shingle that moved marginally through the
northeast market, and seemingly, at the time in
the early 1980’s, made no real significant
impact on the industry. The manufacturing process
used by ELK was several times faster than the major
manufacturers' original hand-laminated offerings.
The price for the ELK products was significantly
less than that of the major manufacturers' products
that included the shiplap and double coverage design
over critical areas. The big manufacturers, within
a decade, had changed over to a similar “In
Line Laminate Process,” similar to that originally
used by ELK. This process replaced the original
hand laminate process and the original ship-lap
laminated shingle design disappeared from the roofing
marketplace. With it, the uniform look of the laminated
roof also was lost. The impact on the laminated
roof shingle design is that the butt joints are
random and steeper roofs will show the butt joints.
This concern leads some people away from the laminated
shingles on some jobs. The up side is that the improvements
have afforded the manufacturers the ability to rate
the warranted life expectancy to double that of
the original products on the higher end laminates.
These products have become a real value in the asphalt
shingle industry. We do caution their use on some
high profile and steep roofs, however. |
| To the right
is a laminated two piece roofing shingle (GAF Timberline).
Below is the same shingle depicted at a different
angle. |
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To
the left is a depiction of a two-piece laminate roofing
shingle. The black dashes represent the sealdowns.
The lap of the two layers is a 5/8" area that
extends up from the exposure line (just below the
black stripes) to the bottom of the black dashes.
The nails must be placed on a line that runs right
in the middle of the two. |
Laminated
Shingles on Steep Slopes
The two-piece
laminated shingles must be mechanically fastened
through the lap of both layers on steep sloped
applications. These shingles should also be double
nailed on steep slopes. The lap that must be penetrated
for proper mechanical fastening is only 5/8”
in width. This lap area in the design does not
give an adequate holding strength on many steep
sloped roofs. Steep roof applications should be
scrutinized before consideration of this type
of shingle.
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Steep
slopes are no place for architectural laminate shingles.
As you can see in the photographs, delaminating
can occur when the full weight of the lower laminated
double layer is suspended on the mechanical fasteners.
Mansards and steep sloped roofs should always be
storm nailed (double nailed). |
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The argument
has been made for installer error in these situations,
but in defense of many installers, this shingle
design affords only a 5/8” overlap through
which a roofing nail is to be fastened. The laminate
bond alone will not hold the two piece shingle
together. Even double nailing is often not enough
to hold these shingles on steep slopes. The bottom
line……..Don’t use architectural
laminates on steep slopes.
Don't
just take our word - Read
the article in Pro Roofing Mag - written with kindly "Kid's
Gloves," but still very informing.
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From
the above cited article: "For example,
NRCA has received a significant number of reports
about the bottommost pieces of some laminated asphalt
shingles loosening, becoming detached and falling
from roofs." |
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Designer
Shingles
There are designer products that are the best asphalt
shingles money can buy. These products are dual-laminated
and tri-laminated products. They are higher in price
than the laminated shingles, but they are uniform
and they have no two part base shingle design issues
to consider in the fastening of the shingles. The
color patterns of the application of the granular
surfacing materials are computer enhanced to give
dramatic affects on several of the higher end products.
The shadow lines are engineered to complement the
added bulk of the shingles. These products are usually
lifetime roofs and they are super-heavyweight products. |
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To
the left is a depiction of the Grand Slate Super
Heavy Weight Shingle by GAF. This is a double laminated
roofing shingle that is warranted for life. |
Ask our field estimator
to show you samples of the great products we can offer
you.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER
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Strikingly
Bold Design... Artfully sculpted shingle tabs combined with
richer, refined outlines will give your home a truly sophisticated
look
Incredible Appearance... Subtle color palette simulates
the hue of natural slate or stone materials
Natural Color Palette... Revised color palette accentuates
the natural beauty of Country Estates shingles Super-Heavyweight
“PLUS” Construction... 425 lbs. per square for
ultimate durability (in fact, each layer of Country Estates
shingles is up to 60% thicker than each layer of other “premium”
asphalt shingles)
High Performance... Custom specified, ultra-high performance
Micro Weave® core provides better protection layer-for-layer
Safer... Class A fire and wind ratings from Underwriters
Laboratories—the highest ratings possible
Algae-Eater™ Protection... Protects the beauty of
your roof
from unsightly blue-green algae*
Stays In Place... Double row of Dura Grip™ adhesive
seals each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle
blow-off.
Perfect
Finishing Touch... Distinctive TIMBERTEX® Ridge Cap
Shingles with Algae Eater™ protection lend the perfect
finishing touch.
Available Colors... Aged Oak, Brownstone, Cottage Red, Olde
Pewter, and Weathered Green
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CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER
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Country
Mansion - Distinctive Appearance... Unique “Tone-On-Tone”
color frame creates a striking contrast between layers that
results in ultimate dimensionality and depth on your roof
Beautiful
Design... Simply charming! Artfully crafted, ultra-thick
shingle tabs give Country Mansion shingles a look of elegance
and warmth
Versatile
Color Palette... Revised color palette now complements an
even wider range of siding and trim colors
Super-heavyweight “PLUS” Construction... 425
lbs. per square for ultimate durability (in fact, each layer
of Country Mansion shingles is up to 60% thicker than each
layer of other “premium” asphalt shingles!)
High Performance... Custom specified, ultra-high performance
Micro Weave® core provides better protection layer-for-layer
Safer... Class A fire and wind ratings from Underwriters
Laboratories—the highest ratings possible
Algae-Eater™ Protection... Protects the beauty of
your roof
from unsightly blue-green algae
Stays
In Place... Double row of Dura Grip® adhesive seals
each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle blow-off.
Available Colors... Aged Oak, Brownstone, Burnt Charcoal,
Riverstone Gray, and Wedgewood Gray
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Slateline
- Stately Appearance... Patented, extra-large shingle with
bold shadow lines and tapered cut-outs help create a dramatic
visual impact for upscale homes and properties
Bolder Colors... Richer and more striking than ever before!
Safer... Class A fire and wind rating from Underwriters Laboratories
— the highest rating possible
High Performance... Heavyweight design (35% heavier than standard
shingles) and extra-strong Micro Weave® Core provide outstanding
performance in all climates
Stays In Place... Special double row of Dura Grip® adhesive
seals even more tightly to reduce the risk of shingle blow-off.
Algae-Eater™ Protection... Protects the beauty of your
roof from unsightly blue-green algae for ten years*
Peace Of Mind... 40-year ltd. transferable warranty with 10-year
Smart Choice® Protection (non-prorated material and labor
coverage)
Available
Colors ... English Gray Slate, Emerald Green Slate, Mariner
Blue Slate, Weathered Slate Blend, and Slate Red Blend
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Grand
Sequoia - Fantastic Appearance... Patented, extra-large
shingle with unique design helps create a dramatic visual
impact for prestigious homes and properties
Safer... Class A fire and wind rating from Underwriters
Laboratories—the highest rating possible
High Performance... Super heavyweight design and extra strong
Micro-Weave® Core provide outstanding performance in
all climates
Algae-Eater™ Protection (optional)... Helps protects
the beauty of your roof in algae-prone areas for 10 years
(check with your local sales office for availabilty)
Available Colors
... Cedar Blend, Charcoal Blend, Mesa Brown Blend, Sage
Green Blend, Slate Blend, and Weathered Wood Blend
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CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER
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Grand
Canyon - Sophisticated Design... Carefully sculpted shingle
tabs combined with a subtle “shadow effect”
result in a sophisticated, yet rugged design
Incredible Appearance... Grand Canyon’s massive, extra-thick
shingle tabs are 20% thicker, and give your roof the unmatched
dimensionality and depth of real wood shakes
Super-Heavyweight "PLUS" Design... At over 450
lbs. per square, compare Grand Canyon shingles to any of
the so-called “heavyweight” shingles on the
market!
Natural Color Palette... Specially-formulated color palette
is designed to accentuate Grand Canyon’s natural wood
shake look
High Performance... Custom-specified, ultra-high performance
Micro Weave® core provides better protection layer-for-layer
Safer... Class A fire and wind rating from Underwriters
Laboratories—the highest rating possible—and
safer than wood shakes!
Stays In Place... Dura Grip® adhesive seals each shingle
tightly and reduces risk of shingle blow-off.
Available Colors
... Sedona Sunset, Black Oak, Stone Wood, Moss Green, Mission
Brown, and Storm Cloud Gray
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Grand
Slate - The Authentic Look Of Slate... Massive, extra-thick
tabs and specially-blended color palette create the look of
real slate shingles
Affordable Luxury... Only a fraction of the cost of expensive
slate
Super-Heavyweight “PLUS” Construction... 425 lbs.
per square for ultimate durability (in fact, each layer of
Grand Slate shingles is up to 60% thicker than each layer
of other “premium” asphalt shingles)
High Performance... Custom specified, ultra-high
performance Micro Weave® core provides better protection
layer-for-layer
Safer... Class A fire rating from Underwriters Laboratories—the
highest rating possible (unlike some plastic or synthetic
“slate” shingles, which carry only a Class C fire
rating)
Algae-Eater™ Protection... Protects the beauty of your
roof
from unsightly blue-green algae
Stays In Place... Double row of Dura Grip™ adhesive
seals each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle
blow-off.
Available
Colors ... Bristol Gray, Essex Green, Middlebury Brown,
Sheffield Black, and Welsh Gray
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CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER
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Timberline
Ultra - Best Investment... The premier shingle in the Timberline®
Series,
Timberline® Ultra® Shingles are 25% heavier and thicker!*
Dramatic Appearance... Designed for the most discerning property
owners, Timberline Ultra shingles are acclaimed for their
striking and richly textured look.
Safer... Class A fire and wind ratings from UL—the highest
ratings possible.
High Performance... Super heavyweight design now includes
our strongest Micro Weave® Core — making it the
longest lasting shingle in the Timberline® Series.
Stays In Place... Dura Grip® adhesive seals each shingle
tightly and reduces the risk of shingle blow-off.
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BELOW
ARE THE CERTAINTEED OFFERINGS. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE YOUR
'BACK' BROWSER BUTTON WHEN YOU ARE DONE VIEWING THE *PDF
FILES. |
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Carriage House is built on CertainTeed's exclusive Super
Shangle design using two full-size base shingles, resulting
in four full layers of shingle protection when applied.
Most importantly, its tough fiber glass composition makes
Carriage House a durable, long-lasting shingle. Deep 8"
tabs, distinctive shadow lines, and chamfered corners
give Carriage House the appearance of a scallop-edged
finish, creating a look reminiscent of the hand-crafted
slate roofs of yesteryear. These shingles are most aesthetically
appealing when used on slopes of 9" per foot or greater.
Carriage House shingles are algae (commonly called fungus)
resistant and thus protect against staining or discoloration
caused by algae. Carriage House shingles are available
in the following colors: Black Pearl, Brownstone, Colonial
Slate, Gatehouse Slate, Georgian Brick, Sherwood Forest,
Stonegate Gray and Victorian Blue. Pre-cut Grand Manor
Shangle/Carriage House Shangle Accessory roofing shingles
of the matching color are to be used for capping the hips
and ridges. These accessory shingles are two layers adhered
together.
PRODUCT
BROCHURE *PDF (860 K)
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Grand Manor is the super heavyweight of laminated shingles.
The difference is in the size and quality built-in by
design. An 8" tab area, complete with two full-sized
one-piece base shingles with random tabs and accented
by shadow lines, gives an authentic, natural look with
true depth and dimension. They are most aesthetically
appealing when used on slopes of 9" per foot or greater.
When applied, Grand Manor produces five layers of roof
protection and the quality is reminiscent of handcrafted
workmanship. Grand Manor Shangle AR shingles are algae
(commonly called fungus) resistant and thus protect against
staining or discoloration caused by algae. AR shingles
are not available in all regions.
Grand Manor shingles are available in the following colors:
Black Pearl, Brownstone, Colonial Slate, Gatehouse Slate,
Georgian Brick, Heirloom Silver, Sherwood Forest, and
Stonegate Gray. Pre-cut Grand Manor Shangle/Carriage House
Shangle Accessory roofing shingles of the matching color
are to be used for capping the hips and ridges. These
accessory shingles are two layers adhered together and
do not have the additional random tabs.
PRODUCT
BROCHURE *PDF(1 MB)
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Horizon
is a popular medium weight roofing shingle with dramatic
color schemes.
Behind the
distinctive appearance of the Classic Horizon™ Shangle®
there is a distinct difference in design. A unique overlay
pad that, combined with patented shadow lines, works to
replicate the appearance of a more expensive two-piece laminated
shingle.
250 lbs. per square
30-year limited, transferable warranty
5-year SureStart™ protection
U.L. certified to meet ASTM D3462
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PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION
The Landmark™
TL shingles are constructed using three laminated layers
of the industry’s most durable materials, providing
a dramatically thick roofing product styled with the classic
appeal of wood shakes. The overall dimensions of this shingle
are 13 1/4” x 40”. Landmark TL AR (algae resistant)
shingles are algae resistant and thus protect against staining
or discoloration caused by algae. AR shingles are not available
in all regions. Landmark TL shingles are available in the
following colors: Burnt Sienna, Cobblestone Gray, Cumberland,
Moire Black, Old Overton, Resawn Shake, Shenandoah and Weathered
Wood. CertainTeed’s Shadow Ridge roofing shingles
of a like color are used for capping hips and ridges. Composition
and Materials: Landmark TL shingles are composed of a fiber
glass mat base. Ceramic-coated mineral granules are tightly
embedded in carefully refined, water-resistant asphalt.
Three pieces of the shingle are firmly laminated together
in a special tough asphaltic cement. All Landmark TL shingles
have self-sealing adhesive strips.
PRODUCT
BROCHURE *PDF (724 K)
LANDMARK
AR 30 / 50 BROCHURE |
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Landmark
TL (Triple Laminated)
340 lbs. per square
Lifetime limited, transferable warranty
Tri-laminate technology
Fiber glass composition
10-year SureStart™ protection
10-year wind warranty up to 110 mph
U.L. certified to meet ASTM D3462
Algae-resistant (AR)
LANDMARK
TL LIFETIME AS SHOWN ABOVE
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Presidential
TL, with its sculpted rustic edges, is constructed using
three laminated layers of the industry's strongest, most
durable materials, making it one of the thickest, toughest
and best looking shingles on the market. The beauty of a
wood shake with less cost and better performance.
480 lbs. per square
Lifetime limited, transferable warranty
Tri-laminate technology
10-year SureStart™ protection
10-year wind warranty up to 110 mph
U.L. certified to meet ASTM D3462
Must be used with Presidential Starter
Algae-resistant (AR) in most areas
Available Nationwide
PRODUCT
BROCHURE *PDF(624 K) |
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CONTACT
US We won't leave you waiting
around. Our estimators are on the road Mon - Sat, so feel free
to request a no-hassle estimate. We sell Vermont Slate
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PRINCETON609-466-6500
North-Central
NJ, Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, Hunterdon,
Somerset Counties |
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DOYLESTOWN 215-918-1805
Buxmont
- Bucks & Montgomery Counties, Pa |
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PHILADELPHIA 215-887-5920
Phila., Del.Co., ChesterCo., Delaware, Philadelphia
Main Line, Pa |
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