Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. For this reason, it’s important that you pick out the right kind of shingles for your home. Of course you want to look for something that will be affordable, but you also want something that is going to last for decades and keep your home as watertight as possible. The most common shingle in use today is the asphalt shingle. Chances are that if you drive down most any suburban street, just about every house will have shingles. The reasons for their popularity are many, including affordability, variety, color choices, and durability. Listed below are a few of the standard types of shingles.

One important part of shingle choice is the fire rating, which indicates how fire retardant the shingles are. Fiberglass asphalt shingles have the highest rating available. Fiberglass shingles are composed of a fiberglass mat sandwiched between layers of asphalt and mineral granules. The most basic style of asphalt shingle is called the 3-tab shingle. Because it offers no texture, such as the mineral granules on fiberglass shingles, they are the least expensive asphalt option. However, because the look of a 3-tab shingle has become somewhat dated, most homeowners prefer a different option. Organic shingles are another common type of asphalt shingle. Instead of using a fiberglass mat, organic shingles use an organic felt material that has been saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. They are then topped with adhesive asphalt and covered with mineral granules. Talk to an expert in roofing in Vancouver to figure out which option is best for your home.