Asphalt Shingles Calgary

The original Canadian roof system, asphalt shingles have stood the test of time and have evolved about as much as the automobile over about the same period of time.

Once upon a time, asphalt shingles were made with layers of wood, asphalt, granule and lasted for between 5-8 years after having been installed.  Although the fabrication process is still fundamentally similar, modern Calgary asphalt shingles are made with a fiberglass base, layers of specially formulated asphalt and specifically cut and shaped granules, allowing the typical shingle to last, realistically, for roughly 25 years in a properly ventilated roof system.  Some asphalt shingles can last realistically even up to 40 years.

Now let's talk about warrantee's, and let's set your expectations to the proper level in terms of how long a well installed Calgary asphalt roof system should last.  Shingles have a manufacturers rating that differs a fair bit from their realistic life span.  Let us differentiate here between manufacturers defect warrantee and realistic life span.

A manufacturer's defect warrantee means exactly what it is called.  It is a warrantee against defective products.  If an asphalt shingle in Calgary wears down from age, wind, snow, ice and sun exposure, it did so naturally, this is not classified as a manufacturers warrantee.  A manufacturer's warrantee covers product that wears down, falls apart, changes color or deteriorates "abnormally" quickly.  Therefore, if a shingle is called a "30 year shingle by manufacturers warrantee", this means the manufacturer will cover any defects, often pro-rated, for that 30 year period.  If and when your shingles deteriorate naturally before that 30 year warrantee is over, this does not qualify as a warrantee claim as no defect has presented itself.

The realistic life span for Calgary asphalt shingles is roughly %20 less than their manufacturers warrantee coverage period.  This is mostly due to a combination of our dry climate, Chinook winds changing the temperature so rapidly, and the infamous Canadian winters ie: deep freeze periods, which we all know so well.  Therefore, a 30 year shingle will typically last roughly 24 years, a 40 year shingle will typically last roughly 32 years and a 50 year asphalt shingle in Calgary will last roughly 40 years.

Contact one of our roof system design specialists today to discuss what product is right for you.