Hello everyone! This is Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.!
Here we will introduce ‘Asphalt Shingle’!
・I’ve heard of asphalt shingles, but what kind of roofing material is it?
・I want to know the differences from other roofing materials!
・What types of asphalt shingles are there?
We will provide a detailed introduction to asphalt shingles, which many people surprisingly don’t know much about!
About Asphalt Shingles
There are various types of roofing materials, such as tiles and metal roofs. One of those types is asphalt shingles, commonly referred to as “shingles.”
Asphalt shingles originated in the United States and have an impressive 100-year history as a roofing material!
Features of Asphalt Shingles
Both glass fiber and asphalt, the raw materials of asphalt shingles, are excellent in waterproofing, making them the ideal roofing material for those seeking a roof resistant to leaks!
With various colors depending on the stone granules, it is a roofing material that suits both Western-style homes and calm Japanese-style homes.
The biggest feature of asphalt shingles is
・high design quality
・Lightweight and highly earthquake-resistant
・Easy to process
For example, we can accommodate homes that want a stylish appearance or those with complex roof shapes that are different from others!
Service Life and Types of Asphalt Shingles
Although there are various types of asphalt shingles depending on the manufacturer, it is said that the service life is 20 to 30 years.
We have compiled a list of asphalt shingle manufacturers that we have experience working with!
Asahi Fiberglass【Ridgeway】
The most frequently installed brand by our company is Asahi Fiberglass/Ridgeway, with a service life of 25 to 30 years.
Ridgeway comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
It has also proven its durability by not experiencing peeling during strong wind tests (46m/s), which is one of the disadvantages of asphalt shingles that will be introduced later. It can be used in areas that frequently experience strong winds and typhoons.
Nichiha Corporation【Alma】
The biggest feature of Alma is that it uses natural stone with a ceramic coating, which allows for high durability.
Another feature is its affordability. Due to its low price, the manufacturer recommends replacement or roof overlay every 10 to 20 years.
This Alma also comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingles?
If you’re considering switching to asphalt shingles but are unsure, or if you’ve tried them but found they weren’t what you expected, Kakeru Koumuten will thoroughly introduce the advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision!
Advantages of Asphalt Shingles
Excellent waterproofing
Asphalt shingles are highly water-resistant roofing materials. Therefore, there is no need to worry about leaks. The raw materials used, glass fiber and asphalt, provide high waterproofing, and since the roofing materials are fixed with adhesive, there are no holes made by nails in the roof, making them excellent in waterproofing!
Lightweight and Easy to Work With
The roofing material itself is lightweight, so there is no concern about being crushed by disasters such as earthquakes.
Ease of processing is also one of the advantages! While other roofing materials generally only accommodate straight or sloped roofs, asphalt shingles can be used on curved roofs as well.
No Chipping, Cracking, or Rust
Asphalt shingles are more flexible than other roofing materials, so they do not experience cracks typical of tile roofs, nor do they rust like metal materials!
Cost-Effective
Asphalt shingles are cheaper compared to other roofing materials. Since they are imported, prices have drastically increased recently, leading to a decrease in usage compared to before. (As of October 2022) Nevertheless, they still offer high cost performance as roofing materials.
In that regard, they are a reliable roofing material.
Disadvantages of Asphalt Shingles
Impact of Strong Winds
Asphalt shingles are thin sheets of about 6mm, which means they are more prone to being lifted or peeled off by the wind compared to other roofing materials. Additionally, the surface has stone granules that may fall off due to strong winds, and if left unattended for a long time, this can lead to visual deterioration and accelerated aging. They can only withstand wind speeds of 42 to 46 m, so installation in windy areas is not recommended.
Regular Maintenance
This is not limited to asphalt shingles, but all roofing materials require regular maintenance. Since asphalt shingles are vulnerable to strong winds, we recommend regular maintenance to check for any peeling!
Surface Granules May Fall Off After Installation
After installation, granules will inevitably fall off for about a week. After a certain amount has fallen, they will stop coming off, but it can be concerning.
Rest assured, as it is stated in the manufacturer’s catalog that this is not a quality issue.
Fewer Contractors Available
While the number of contractors has been increasing recently, previously, the usage rate of asphalt shingles in Japan was around 5%. There are fewer contractors compared to tile or metal roofs.
Our company handles asphalt shingles!
We will introduce some case studies below!
Roof Overlay Construction Procedure
This construction is a case study from the home of Mr. S located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The roofing material used is Ridgeway! We performed a roof overlay construction using Ridgeway!
Please also check out our article introducing our roofing construction plans (costs)!
1. Dismantling of Existing Roof Ridge Flashing
2. Installing Roofing (Waterproof Sheet)
It is made of modified asphalt roofing, which is said to have double the lifespan of regular asphalt roofing.
With the roofing serving as the first line of waterproofing, if it is installed properly, there will be no leaks!
We will ensure it is firmly attached to prevent it from blowing away.
3. Fabricating Accessories (Karakusa, Keraba, Valley)
The materials used for the accessories are galvalume steel.
4. Main Construction (Asahi Fiberglass/Ridgeway)
Once we have installed it up to the ridge, we will set up a material called a “kanban” which is necessary to secure the ridge flashing. There are types of kanban made from cedar and resin, and this time we used the resin type!
The resin type is expected to have three times the durability compared to the cedar type!
5. Processing of ridge flashing and sealing at various locations
At the wall edge, we will process and install a component called a rain guard flashing.
The nails and screws used for securing are made of stainless steel, which is resistant to rust!
6. Cleaning
Roof replacement construction procedure
This construction is a case study at the residence of Mr. Y located in Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture! The asphalt shingle roofing material used is Nichiha Corporation’s Alma!
This is a roof replacement from tile roofing to Alma!
1. Dismantling Existing Roofing Materials
2. Installing New Sheathing
3. Roofing Installation (Waterproof Sheet)
It is made of a delayed adhesive modified asphalt roofing material, which is said to havetwice the durability of regular asphalt roofing.
With the roofing serving as the primary waterproofing, if it is installed properly, there will be no leaks!
We will secure it firmly to prevent it from blowing away.
4. Custom Fabrication (Kera, Karakusa, Valley)
The materials used for these custom pieces are Galvalume Steel.
5. Main Construction (Nichihwa / Alma)
Once we have installed it up to the ridge, we will set up the necessary materials to fix the ridge board, known as the kanban. There are types of kanban made from cedar and resin, and this time we used cedar due to budget considerations!
6. Processing of Ridge Metal and Sealing at Various Locations
At the wall edge, we will process and install a component called the rain guard metal.
We will use stainless steel nails and screws that are resistant to rust for fixing!
7. Cleaning
Q&A about Asphalt Shingles
It is said to last about 20 to 30 years, depending on the roofing materials used.
The cost varies depending on the asphalt shingle roofing materials, but it will be 6,000 yen per square meter and up! You can check the average cost of roofing materials ☞for roof overlay (cover method) renovations! ⚠️ This is the average cost during the roof overlay method.
Yes. Of course, we conduct regular maintenance. We send out a maintenance notification one year after the construction, but if you would like to have it checked before that, please feel free to give us a call.
Certainly. At Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd., we offer warranties tailored to the construction, not limited to asphalt shingles. We also have articles detailing the warranties, so please take a look! ☞About Kakeru Koumuten’s Warranties
Leave your roofing work to Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.!
Asphalt shingles are gaining popularity as a roofing material due to their rich color variations and stylish appearance!
While they are relatively inexpensive and highly waterproof, there is a risk of leaks if the shingles come off due to strong winds. Therefore, regular maintenance is necessary.
Let’s choose the best roofing material after comparing the various advantages and disadvantages!
Estimates and inspections are, of course, free! If you have any concerns regarding roofs, rain gutters, exterior walls, or exteriors, please consult Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd.!
We carry out everything from temporary scaffolding work to roofing and exterior painting completely in-house. We are confident that our costs, quality, and organization for exterior work are unmatched compared to other companies!
We welcome competitive estimates with confidence!
You’ll be glad you chose us! We take every request seriously to ensure you feel that way.
Helpful information about exterior renovations can be found here!
・Asahi-ku, Yokohama | Roof Overlay (Cover Method) | We performed a cover method with Ridgeway!
・Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki | Roof Replacement | We performed a roof replacement with Alma!
・Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki | We performed a roof overlay using Hilanbee 220!
・Painting DIY Plan! A must-see for those who want to try DIY roof and exterior wall painting! We will only set up the scaffolding!
・About the costs of roof overlay | Kakeru Koumuten’s roof construction plan!
・About the costs of exterior wall painting | Kakeru Koumuten’s exterior wall painting plan!
・About the costs of leak repairs | Kakeru Koumuten’s leak repair plan!
・About the costs of ridge cap replacement and surface plaster | Kakeru Koumuten’s construction plan!
・Latest | Grants and subsidies available for renovations, and reduction systems!
・What are the market prices for rain gutter repair and cleaning? Tips on timing, fire insurance, and choosing a contractor!
・Renovation store in Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama | What is roof overlay (roof cover method)?
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AAA is a young company with an average age in the early 20s, but our technology is second to none.
One of our greatest strengths is that we can do all of our own scaffolding, roofing, and painting work. In this industry, where work is generally divided, we are able to provide a complete set of services, which saves time and effort in management and reduces costs. Above all, if there is any trouble, we will come to you right away!
We can confidently declare this. We are the youngest and most friendly renovator in Kanagawa!
