<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt"><font size="3" color="#990000">Ashpalt shingles add value, beauty and durability to roofs</font></h2><p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">(ARA) – With national home prices still 30 percent below 2006 levels, homeowners are looking for affordable ways to boost the value of their homes without breaking the bank.</span></p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt"><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Repairing or replacing the roof is one of the most noticeable improvement projects homeowners can take on. And although the effect of a new roof is stunning, the price tag doesn’t have to be.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Going back to the basics when it comes to getting a new roof can employ the "genius of ‘and,’" according to TAMKO Building Products President and Chief Executive Officer David Humphreys.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">"It’s a way of describing how you can successfully achieve two or more goals that might not seem compatible," Humphreys says. "For example: you can add value to your home and save money doing it."</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">This is possible in roofing through the reliability, durability and affordability of the traditional asphalt shingle.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Reliability</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">And when it comes to roofing, the standard asphalt shingle could be the fastest path to a new roof, while still maintaining reliability, durability and affordability.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/11c.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/11c.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Asphalt shingles have more than 150 years of proven severe weather durability as a roof covering. But as a waterproofing agent, asphalt’s history goes back much farther.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Kent Blanchard, vice president of roofing manufacturing for TAMKO Building Products, says asphalt and tar have been used as a waterproofing agent for thousands of years, including by the ancient Egyptians.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Durability</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Asphalt shingles are made from sheets of fibers, coated in asphalt (a petroleum by-product) and a variety of granules. The result is shingles that are light-weight, easy to install and low maintenance.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Two of the most common types of asphalt shingles are three-tab and laminated.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Three-tab asphalt roofing shingles are made from individual layers of fiberglass mat, a base material made from glass fibers to add strength. The mat is dipped in asphalt and coated with fire-resistant granules.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Classic three-tab asphalt roofing shingles generally include a 15- to 30-year warranty and are one of the more cost-efficient roofing product options.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Laminated asphalt shingles are a newer option and increasing in popularity. These shingles have added dimension because of extra layers of fiberglass mat, which create a wood shake-like appearance.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Some laminated shingles have a 30-year limited warranty, like TAMKO’s Heritage 30 line. The shingles are also wind and fire resistant.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Affordability</strong></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Despite the expansion of roofing products over the last 100 years, the most popular and affordable option continues to be the asphalt shingle.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Asphalt shingles continue to dominate about 80 percent of the U.S. market. It’s estimated that more than 100 million roofing squares are laid on U.S. roofs each year.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">And a new asphalt roof is in everyone’s price range. With a variety of types of asphalt shingles, three-tab or laminated, asphalt roofs are available for as little as one-third of the cost of more expensive tile and wood roofs.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Asphalt shingles afford the consumer the luxury of a large home improvement without the luxury price tag.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A new roof can add immediate value to the home if the owners are looking to sell, but can also help prevent costly leaks while they still live there.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">The health of a roof can affect the energy efficiency and utility bills of a house. In today’s world of energy and cost-consciousness, the roof has become an asset that homeowners cannot afford to overlook.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/11b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/11b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><strong>Remember this annual roof maintenance checklist:</strong> </p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Clean all debris off t
he surface of the roof, including anything that has gathered behind skylights, valleys or pipes. Debris can hold water and speed up roof deterioration.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Check flashing for holes and repair or replace if needed.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Seal flashing if needed.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Check for loose or damaged roof shingles. Apply sealant under the loose shingles.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Remove and replace any damaged shingles.</p>  <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal">* Trim overhanging trees to prevent future roof damage from animals or limbs.</p>  <p><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: ‘Verdana’,’sans-serif’; letter-spacing: 1pt; font-size: 10pt">Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p></span>