Shingles are one of the vital widespread roofing supplies in North America. They’re sturdy, straightforward to put in, and comparatively cheap. The worth they provide to the general residence and roof has made them a go-to alternative for owners and roofing contractors alike. However how are shingles made? The method of creating shingles and the supplies used to make them have developed enormously over time. It’s a fascinating course of that begins with taking uncooked supplies and turning them into completed merchandise.
The historical past of shingles
Shingles have been used for hundreds of years as a roofing materials, and the primary shingles had been made from wooden within the colonial 1700s. These wood shingles had been skinny items of wooden that had been minimize into rectangular shapes. They had been then nailed to the roof in overlapping rows. This methodology of set up remains to be used in the present day, however with vital enhancements.
The primary main enchancment to wood shingles got here within the type of asphalt-coated shingles. One of these shingle was first launched within the late nineteenth century and shortly grew to become the usual for roofing in North America. Asphalt-coated shingles are made from a base materials that’s coated with asphalt. This coating makes the shingles waterproof and rather more sturdy than their uncoated counterparts.
Uncooked supplies
Asphalt-coated shingles are in any other case often known as composition shingles. They’re made from a base materials that’s coated with asphalt. This base materials could be both natural or inorganic. Natural base supplies are made from paper that’s impregnated with asphalt. Inorganic base supplies are made from fiberglass or different artificial supplies which are additionally impregnated with asphalt.
The bottom materials used will decide the ultimate properties of the shingle. For instance, natural shingles are extra inclined to fireplace than inorganic shingles. Inorganic shingles are additionally heavier and dearer than natural shingles. These issues have to be understood when selecting the kind of shingle for a roofing venture.
The manufacturing course of
As soon as the choice is made relating to the kind of base materials for use, the manufacturing course of can start.
- Dry looping
Step one within the course of is named dry looping. That is when the bottom materials is fed by a machine that coats it with asphalt. Then, the coated base materials is fed by a second time so as to add a second layer of asphalt. This double coating makes the shingles extra proof against water and climate injury. The quantity of asphalt utilized throughout this step will decide the ultimate weight of the shingle. - Saturation
The subsequent step is saturation. That is when the bottom materials is saturated with asphalt to make it extra pliable. The method begins with the bottom materials being fed by a hot-air oven. This oven heats the asphalt and makes it extra liquid. The bottom materials is then handed by an asphalt tub, the place it’s utterly saturated with the recent asphalt. The quantity of asphalt used on this step will decide the ultimate flexibility of the shingle. - Moist looping
The subsequent step is named moist looping. That is when the matting types the asphalt-saturated base materials into folds that resemble an accordion. This step offers the shingles their distinctive three-dimensional form. It’s then handed by an asphalt coating machine, the place it’s coated with a layer of asphalt another time. The logic behind this step is that the extra folds a shingle has, the extra resistant will probably be to wind injury and different types of put on and tear. - Coating
The subsequent step within the course of is coating. That is when a coating asphalt that has been combined with tremendous mineral particles is utilized to the shingles. It’s utilized to each the highest and backside of the shingles to provide them further safety from the weather. It then passes by rollers, the place the coating is evenly distributed among the many shingles. This step could also be sufficient to coat the fiberglass filaments and fill within the areas between them, relying on the kind of shingle being made. - Mineral surfacing
That is when the shingles are handed by a machine that applies granules of minerals to the floor. This provides the shingles their remaining coloration and protects them from ultraviolet radiation. The granules are made from both ceramic or slate and are utilized to the shingles whereas they’re nonetheless sizzling. This step additionally provides weight to the shingles, which makes them much more proof against wind injury. - Ending
When the shingle reaches the ending step, the strip of fabric is collected into a big roll. That is the purpose the place the shingles are nearing the top of the manufacturing course of however nonetheless have to be minimize into the specified form and dimension. - Chopping
The subsequent step is reducing, which is strictly what it feels like. The big roll of shingles is fed by a machine that cuts them into the specified form and dimension. This step is necessary as a result of it ensures that the shingles will match correctly when they’re put in on a roof. The equipment is clever sufficient to chop the shingles in order that they’ve a uniform feel and appear, and it stacks them in bulk, making them straightforward to move. - Packaging
The ultimate step within the course of is the packaging. That is when the shingles are packaged into bundles which are straightforward to move and retailer. They’re then able to be shipped off to roofing contractors and owners worldwide. That is the top of the creation course of for these shingles, and they’re going to quickly be put to make use of on somebody’s roof.
How to make sure high quality through the manufacturing course of
The manufacturing means of shingles is a fancy one, however there are just a few key steps that producers can take to make sure that the shingles produced are of the best high quality. This begins with the evaluation of the bottom materials. It is very important be sure that the bottom materials is freed from any impurities or defects. If there are any impurities within the base materials, they are going to doubtless be magnified through the manufacturing course of.
The subsequent key step is to correctly saturate the bottom materials with asphalt. If the bottom materials just isn’t correctly saturated, it won’t be as versatile or sturdy correctly. Additionally it is necessary to make sure that the asphalt is evenly distributed all through the bottom materials. This may be achieved through the use of a curler or brush to evenly coat the floor.
The subsequent step is to correctly remedy the shingles. That is achieved by passing them by a curing chamber the place they’re uncovered to excessive temperatures. This step helps to make sure that the shingles are correctly bonded and won’t come aside over time. To make sure the best high quality, it is very important keep a constant temperature all through the curing course of.
Lastly, it is very important examine the shingles earlier than they’re packaged and shipped to the client. That is the final alternative to catch any defects or impurities. A radical inspection will assist to make sure that solely the best high quality shingles are despatched out to the client.
By following these steps, producers can make sure that the shingles they produce are of the best high quality. This may assist to make sure that their prospects are happy with their purchases and that they are going to proceed to make use of these merchandise for years to come back.
Why do folks purchase shingles?
As soon as these shingles have left the manufacturing website to be put in on the roof of a house or enterprise, they serve two essential functions: to guard the construction from the weather and to offer an aesthetic enchantment. Let’s take a better have a look at every of those functions.
- The primary and most necessary function of shingles is to guard the construction from the weather. Shingles are constructed from quite a lot of completely different supplies, however all of them serve the identical function: to maintain water and different parts out of the construction. That is necessary as a result of it helps to maintain the construction dry and freed from mildew and mildew. Shingles additionally assist to insulate the construction, which might preserve the inside of the constructing cooler in the summertime and hotter within the winter.
- The second function of shingles is to offer an aesthetic enchantment. That is necessary as a result of the roof is without doubt one of the first issues that folks see after they have a look at a constructing. A well-designed and engaging roof may also help to extend the curb enchantment of a house or enterprise. Shingles are available in quite a lot of colours and kinds, so there may be certain to be an choice that can enchantment to everybody.
These are just some of the the explanation why folks purchase shingles. The method of how shingles are made is advanced however important to make sure the integrity and enchantment of this roofing materials. In case you are out there for a brand new roof, you should definitely take into account all of your choices earlier than making a remaining resolution. Join with an area roofing contractor to be taught extra about your choices and precisely what kind of roof could be finest on your residence or enterprise.