The Ultimate Guide to Shingle Manufacturing: From Raw Materials to Your Roof

Have you ever wondered what are roof shingles made of? They do a great job of protecting your roof from the elements, and in turn keeping moisture, pests and other harm out of your home.

In this post, we’re going to explore what are shingles made out of. We’ll discover the composition of shingles roof material, how shingles are made and learn about the different types of shingles. We’ll learn the answers to questions like what are asphalt shingles made of. The article will also touch on innovation and sustainability in shingles manufacturing.

This knowledge will help you understand how your shingles protect your home and inform your choices when it comes to choosing shingles material and repairing your roof. Want to know how shingles are made and more? Keep reading to find out!

The foundation: Raw materials of shingle manufacturing

Your first question is likely what are shingles made of? They can be manufactured from a wide variety of raw materials, which include:

• Metal
• Wood
• Slate
• Asphalt

What are asphalt shingles made of?

The most popular type of material, used in 75% of roofing projects, is asphalt. To produce asphalt shingles, you need a base material, fiberglass matting and mineral granules, which give the surface of the shingles UV protection and a finished look.

All these ingredients go into the production of the asphalt shingles that adorn millions of roofs up and down the United States.

The manufacturing process: Step-by-step

Ever wondered how are shingles made? The manufacturing process comprises a series of stages to take the raw material through to the shingles that you see on roofs.

Let’s focus on the number one choice of shingles material in the United States and discover how are asphalt shingles made:

1. Dry looping. The base material is coated with two layers of asphalt to make it incredibly water-resistant.

2. Saturation. It is then saturated with asphalt to make it more flexible.

3. Wet looping. This process shapes the material in a distinctive “accordion” shape with the folds created making it more resistant to the elements and general wear and tear.

4. Coating and mineral surfacing. A special coating containing mineral particles is applied all over the surface of the shingles material to make them even more durable and weigh them down to make them more wind-resistant.

5. Finishing. The material is arranged into a large roll.

6. Cutting. Special machinery cuts the shingle material into the required shapes with uniform precision.

7. Packaging. The final step is to package up the shingles before transportation to roofing companies for use.

Types of shingles and their unique manufacturing aspects

These days, you can find a wide variety of types of shingles, each with their own unique properties and manufacturing methods.

• Metal. This type of roof shingle is extremely durable and offers a modern touch to your property. If you’re wondering about their composition shingles made of metal are usually crafted from galvanized steel, copper, zinc or aluminum. As well as being long-lasting, metal shingles reflect heat and help conserve energy inside your home,  making them a eco-friendly choice.
• Wood. Natural wood shingles like cedar make a beautiful choice, especially if you live in a rural neighborhood. Again, wood is energy-efficient choice, offering great insulating properties. And it’s a viable alternative to other materials which need vast amounts of energy to produce. Cedar shingles may be cut by hand or machine and treated with fire-retardant material to protect your home.
• Slate. This is another excellent choice, being incredibly long-lasting and naturally resistant to water, fire and attacks by insects. Slate is a more costly option but since slate roofs may last up to 100 years, they’re a sound investment for your home.
• Asphalt. If you’re looking for an affordable option, you may find that asphalt shingles offer a budget-friendly option. Asphalt is a durable material derived from crude oil and mixed with other substances like sand, stone and gravel to create a tough, long-lasting compound. As we’ve seen, the manufacturing process involves adding mineral particles to the asphalt tiles to make them even more weather-resistant.
• EPDM. This is short for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, a synthetic rubber prized for its waterproof, weather-resistant and long-lasting properties. It’s an economical choice that suits a wide variety of homes in diverse climates.

Innovation and sustainability in shingle manufacturing

We’re all more environmentally conscious these days. To reflect consumer trends, manufacturers have adapted their processes to be more innovative and are producing more sustainable roof shingles.

They may use recycled materials such as:

• Recycled plastic
• Reclaimed rubber from tires
• Recycled asphalt shingles

Or they may opt for natural materials like cedar wood and slate, which don’t require high-energy production processes.

Another way manufacturers are making shingles more eco-friendly is to incorporate cool roof technology into shingles material. Cool roof shingles may feature coatings that reflect the light or minimize heat absorption or even pigments that reflect infrared radiation. These touches help to lower roof temperature so your air conditioning doesn’t have to work so hard and consume so much energy.

These types of shingles offer many benefits to both the environment and the homeowner, reducing the carbon footprint and offering consumers a more energy-efficient way to care for their properties.

With Plum ProExteriors, you know you’re in safe hands!

We’ve learnt that roof shingles come in a wide variety of materials, each offering unique properties. A robust manufacturing process ensures that your roof shingles are durable and look good too, while the latest advances in manufacturing offer eco-friendly and innovative solutions.

If you’d like to learn more about roof shingles, and which type would suit your property, give us a call! The team at Plum ProExteriors are happy to talk you through your options and give you a free, no-obligation quote. With our great track record in servicing homes in Massachusetts and New England, you know you’re in safe hands!