There is no shortage of options when it comes to roofing materials. Wood, metal, green roofs, clay, and concrete tiles are just some of the options. Some have been around for centuries, but none are as common as asphalt shingles, with around 75 percent of North American homes having an asphalt shingle roof. This doesn’t mean that asphalt roofing is the best option on the market. It does have its advantages, which include its price, but it also has several notable drawbacks.
Here is what you need to know about fiberglass shingles, including their drawbacks—and a better alternative to consider.
What are Fiberglass Shingles?
Despite their prevalence, many homeowners may not be sure what a fiberglass shingle is, because they know it by a different name: asphalt shingles. They are one of two varieties of asphalt shingles, the other being organic mat asphalt shingles. Fiberglass shingles are made of several layers; the first is the base layer, a fiberglass mat made of tightly woven fiberglass strands. The mat is coated in asphalt, and while the asphalt is still wet, it is covered with small granules. Together, these three layers create a durable, water-resistant shingle that is lightweight and not prone to warping. The granules help provide UV protection, and the fiberglass adds fire resistance.
What are the Problems with Fiberglass Shingles?
Despite some of the benefits listed above, fiberglass roof shingles have problems that should be considered in order to make the most educated purchase possible, when looking at new roofing materials.
1. Durability
While fiberglass shingles offer durability, they aren’t the most durable product. Basic 3-tab shingles will last around 10 to 15 years, while the more durable architectural varieties can last 25 to 30 years. It may sound like a while, but fiberglass shingles have the shortest lifespan compared to other roofing materials.
This is primarily due to one of their biggest selling points: their lightweight, cost-effective construction. It leaves them more prone to weathering, impact damage, granule loss, cracking, and tearing. Living in an area with severe weather can shorten your roof’s lifespan even more because the weathering will be more severe. Ultimately, you’ll be spending much more on roofing than you would if you choose a more premium, high-quality option.
2. Eco-Friendliness
Another issue is their eco-friendliness or lack thereof. Compared to other roofing materials, fiberglass shingles aren’t an environmentally-conscious material, which is becoming a more important deciding factor for many. When it is time to replace your roof, you cannot recycle your old fiberglass shingles, which means they end up in a landfill.
There is also the fact that while some colors offer some energy efficiency, they are nothing compared to, for example, the insulating properties of synthetic shingles or the heat-reflecting properties offered by metal roofing. This means that your cooling system will have to work harder to keep your home comfortable, which strains the system, increases your carbon footprint, and increases your energy bill, especially if your home isn’t well insulated.
3. Not Ideal For Cold Climates
One of the problems with fiberglass shingles is that they are thin. While it makes them easy to install, it also means that they aren’t very insulating.
Without high-quality roofing insulation, you’ll experience significant heat loss that makes your heating system work harder to try and make up for the loss. That, in turn, creates higher energy bills. Even with proper insulation, it is best to avoid fiberglass shingles if you live in a cold climate.
What’s a Better Alternative?
A roof is an investment that you want (and need) to last a long time. Knowing the issues with fiberglass roof shingles, it’s important to consider whether it is worth choosing. It is possible that you can get a little more out of fiberglass shingles if you live in an area with a relatively calm climate, but it will still not compare to other materials.
Investing in a Brava Roof, a top synthetic roofing brand, is the better choice. While you’ll spend more than you would on fiberglass shingles, you’ll get better durability, longevity, and style options.
What is Brava?
Brava is a synthetic roofing brand that is crafted using 100-percent recycled materials, which are compressed to create lightweight, dense tiles. Each tile is carefully molded to resemble traditional luxury slate, Spanish barrel ties, and cedar shakes.
Why is Brava Better?
Here are some of the top benefits of choosing Brava for your roofing:
Aesthetics
Everyone wants a beautiful home, and if you’re looking for a new roof, you want it to reflect you and your style. One of the more minor problems with fiberglass shingles is the selection. While they come in various colors and styles, even offering shake and slate-style shingles, they don’t have the realism that Brava offers.
Brava’s thicker tiles allow for more dimension to be shown, and their cedar shake roof tiles are molded from natural hand-split cedar shakes in order to give each one a distinct texture that differs from the others, which makes the final result a roof that can pass for natural cedar shakes. Their Old World Slate tiles also offer a dimensional look, with the same texture as natural slate and standard and multi-width options. The same goes for Brava’s Spanish Barrel Tiles.
Add to that the numerous dimensional color options and the ability to customize color match, and you have almost endless design possibilities. Try out the Visualizer Tool to see for yourself.
Durability
Synthetic shingles are some of the most durable roofing options you can get; don’t let their composition and weight fool you. Brava’s tiles come in both Class C and Class A fire ratings—and Class A is the highest a material can achieve. They also offer the highest impact rating at Class 4 and wind resistances of 110 mph and 211 mph, depending on the installation method.
You never have to worry about cracking, splitting, or peeling with Brava tiles. They are also resistant to mold growth and UV rays.
Environmentally-Friendly and Energy Efficient
Brava uses recycled plastics and other materials to create their tiles. This diverts waste from landfills and gives it a second life. It also means that Brava tiles can be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Beyond that, they are an energy-efficient option. Their density gives them insulation properties, which helps prevent hot and cool air from escaping the home, so that the heating and cooling system doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Brava tiles are also UV-resistant and offer cool roof color options for their Cedar Shakes and Spanish Barrel Tiles for added efficiency in hot climates.
Getting Longevity with Brava
Your roof is one of the most crucial parts of your home by providing vital shelter and protection. You don’t want to choose just any material; you want to choose the best material possible to ensure you and your family are well protected. It should also offer longevity, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it every decade. With Brava, you get everything backed by a 50-year warranty: style, durability, longevity, and more. It is a clear choice and a worthwhile investment.
Contact Brava today to learn more about our roofing options and get an instant quote.
