What Are Some Differences Between 20, 30, 50 Year Lifetime Shingles?

At one time, you could judge the quality of the shingle simply by weighing it. The 30-year shingles weighed more than the 20 but less than the 50-year lifetime shingle. In fact, they sold shingles according to the pounds per square inch. All you needed to judge the worthiness of a shingle was a bathroom scales.

Today that is not always the right way to find the best shingle. Some manufacturers made their shingles slightly longer so a bundle weighs more. Other manufacturers use lighter or heavier weight filler. Fiberglass, one of the fillers used, is quite lightweight but that doesn’t damage the life expectancy of a shingle.

With all that said, 20-year shingles are still quite flimsy compared to their durable 50-year counterparts or even the 30-year shingle. If you plan to move in the next year or two, or are renovating a home to sell immediately, a 20-year shingle might be the best selection. It is much lower in cost, but also much lower in quality. Buyers and their lenders will be more interested in the fact that the roof is new, rather than the type of shingles used.

For most people, the 30-year shingle is the most common choice. It’s durable, but still less costly than the 50-year and will service most individuals an adequate length of time. When you consider the warranties offered on shingles, after 30 years, the manufacturer, if still in business, only returns a minimal amount of money if the 50-year shingle fails. By this time, even if the company is still in business, the shingle colors may differ if only a small section fails or the company may no longer produce asphalt shingles if new “improved” materials are available.

In most cases, you’ll have a broader selection of colors from which to select if you go with the 30-year or 50-year shingles. While there may be more colors in these two types of shingles, normally you can’t mix 30-year shingles with 50-year shingles because there are subtle differences in the two colors. Make certain you know the type of shingle you have if you need a repair to a small but highly visible patch on the roof.

While 20-year shingles are the cheapest, most contractors don’t recommend them for most people and instead recommend the 30 or 50-year shingle that is more durable. However, every situation is different based on the construction of the home and the needs of the homeowner, so discussing the best shingles choice for your situation with your contractor is important. The quality of shingles from various companies also varies and your roofing contractor can aid you in finding the best shingle that fits your needs and budget.