Today we have many types of roofing materials to choose from, from shingles and cedar roofs to metal and composite roofing. Asphalt shingles, however, are still the most popular type of roofing on the market.
The asphalt shingle that’s currently most installed is the architectural or 3d shingle. While architectural shingles are the most popular shingles on the market today, that wasn’t always the case. Other shingle types such as three-tab and organic shingles were once just as popular.
What are Organic Shingles?
Organic shingles are a type of three-tab shingle made from cellulose fibers soaked in asphalt. They were first manufactured in the 1960s and produced until around 2010. When they were manufactured, organic shingles were among the most technologically advanced shingles on the market. However, because of their weaknesses, they were replaced by architectural shingles.
How Were Organic Shingles Made?
The cellulose fibers, such as paper, wood fiber, and other organic materials, were soaked in asphalt until they swelled up to around 170% of their existing weight, sandwiched in another layer of asphalt, and then covered with ceramic granules. Regular asphalt shingles use fiberglass as a base layer.
This manufacturing process made them heavier than traditional three-tab asphalt shingles, which was both a pro and a con. While they were heavier to carry and heavier on the roof structure, they were stronger than regular three-tab shingles and less likely to blow away. The organic materials were also supposed to be greener than regular asphalt.
Because of the amount of asphalt they contained and their weight, they were designed to stand up to hail, strong winds, and other weather extremes. Organic shingles were a staple in the Midwest and Northeast because of their durability in harsh climates compared to regular three-tab shingles.
One trade-off was fire resistance since they were made of paper materials. More importantly, they didn’t last as long as shingle manufacturers had hoped. Unfortunately, organic shingles disintegrated over time due to their organic materials, which decomposed naturally. They tend to roll up on the edges, which makes them easily identifiable.
Are Organic Shingles Discontinued?
Yes, organic shingles are discontinued. They are no longer produced due to the deterioration of organic shingles, lack of fire resistance, and advances in shingle technology. While in theory organic shingles seemed to be a scientific breakthrough, the truth was that they decomposed too soon, making them not as successful as other, newer roofing products.
What Do I Do If I Have Organic Shingles?
If you still have three-tab organic shingles, you may want to consider having them replaced with modern architectural shingles. Signs that your shingles need to be replaced include curling, granule loss, blistering, and cracking. While it may be possible to patch your roof if you can locate a match for your organic shingles, the best thing is to start with a fresh installation of a new roofing system.
The Future of Asphalt Shingles
Architectural, high-definition and luxury shingles have surpassed organic shingles in their construction and functionality, making organic shingles obsolete.
Worried that you have organic shingles? Volpe Enterprises, Inc. can replace your damaged or degrading organic shingles with a new roofing system. Contact us today for a free roofing evaluation and attic inspection.