Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Summary
Asphalt shingle roofing is overlapping fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles, granule-surfaced and self-sealing, nailed over underlayment and ice barrier on solid sheathing. It is the lowest-cost steep-slope roof, and wind class, impact rating, underlayment, ventilation, and flashing details decide how long it lasts in a given climate.
Cols
Terminology
- Square: 100 sq ft of roof area
- Three-tab (strip) shingle: single-layer shingle with cutouts; flat appearance
- Architectural (laminated, dimensional) shingle: two or more laminated layers for depth and weight
- Self-sealing strip: factory adhesive that bonds shingles together in sun
- Exposure: visible part of each course
- Starter strip: first course at eaves with sealant at the edge
- Underlayment: felt or synthetic sheet over the deck
- Ice barrier: self-adhered membrane at eaves where ice dams form
- Drip edge: metal edge at eaves and rakes
- Step flashing / counterflashing: flashing at wall intersections
- Valley: open (metal-lined), closed-cut, or woven
- Hip and ridge caps: shingles that cover hips and ridges, often with ridge vents
Standards
Ratings
| Standard | Classes | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D7158 (self-sealing shingles) | D, G, H | Pass at 90, 120, and 150 mph basic wind speed |
| ASTM D3161 (fan test) | A, D, F | 60, 90, and 110 mph |
| UL 2218 / FM 4473 (impact) | Class 1 to 4 | Class 4 most impact-resistant (2 in. steel ball from 20 ft under UL 2218) |
- Fire: Class A with fiberglass mat shingles
- Algae-resistant granules and reflective (cool) shingles available
Test standards
- ASTM D3462: fiberglass-mat asphalt shingles
- ASTM D7158 and D3161: wind resistance
- UL 2218: impact
- ASTM F1667: roofing nails
- ASTM E108 / UL 790: fire
Materials
- Three-tab shingles: lowest cost; being phased out by many manufacturers
- Architectural shingles: most common; heavier with better wind and impact performance
- Designer and impact-resistant (SBS-modified) shingles: premium appearance and Class 4 impact
- Underlayment: synthetic or felt; self-adhered at eaves, valleys, and low-slope areas
- Ventilation: ridge vents and soffit intake for vented attics
Detailing
- Ice barrier at eaves, valleys, and around penetrations in cold climates
- Balance attic intake and exhaust ventilation; avoid mixing exhaust vent types
- Metal-lined open valleys for high flow; step and counterflashing at walls
- Use high-wind nailing patterns and starter strips with sealant in wind regions
- Kick-out flashing where roof edges meet walls
Uses
Specific uses
- Single-family and townhouse roofs
- Low-rise multifamily with sloped roofs
- Small commercial and institutional buildings with residential character
- Reroofing over existing shingles where allowed
- Hail-prone regions (Class 4 shingles)
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lowest-cost steep-slope roof
- Widely available; easy to install and repair
- Many colors and profiles
- Class A fire rating
Cons
- Shorter service life than metal or tile
- Vulnerable to wind blow-off without proper sealing and nailing
- Granule loss and heat aging in hot climates
- Not for low slopes; needs double underlayment on shallow pitches
Manufacturing and cost
Construction
- Fiberglass mat coated with filled asphalt, surfaced with granules, sealant strips applied, then cut and laminated
- Installed with roofing nails over underlayment on solid sheathing
Main manufacturers and suppliers
Trade association: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
Typical costs
- Three-tab shingles, installed: $3 to $6 per sq ft
- Architectural shingles, installed: $4 to $8 per sq ft; premium and impact-resistant lines higher
Sources
- Professional Roofing: understanding asphalt shingle standards, https://professionalroofing.net/articles/article/4817
- IKO: ASTM D7158 Class H product bulletin, https://www.iko.com/na/document/tbr68-astm-d7158-class-h-product-bulletin
- Roofers Coffee Shop: high wind and asphalt shingles, https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/high-wind-and-asphalt-shingles
- Fixr: asphalt shingle roofing cost, 2026, https://www.fixr.com/articles/asphalt-shingles-everything-you-need-to-know
- Roof Observations: asphalt shingle roof cost guide, 2026, https://roofobservations.com/asphalt-shingle-roof-cost/
- UpCodes: 2024 IBC Chapter 15 (asphalt shingle standards), Chapter 15 Roof Assemblies and Rooftop Structures: Department of Defense Building Code 2024 | UpCodes
- Wikimedia Commons: Beach House in New Jersey with asphalt shingles.jpg, by Tallguy0187 (CC BY 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beach_House_in_New_Jersey_with_asphalt_shingles.jpg