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" :,": "l'il'":""l r[T older and do-it-yourselfers become more sophisticated, an increasing number of homeowners are undertaking their own reroofing projects and turning to their local building material supplier for direction.

Composition or asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing in most areas of the country. The best-selling configuration, the threetab shingle, gets its name from the two thin notches that divide each shingle into what appears to be three separate pieces.

There are also three basics to maximizing roofing sales to d-i-yers:

(1) Sell up.

Convince the customer that this can be the last time they'll have to reroof by upgrading to a premium roofing product. The two basic types of asphalt shingle - organic and inorganic - may be indistinguishable once installed, but they differ in durability, fire resistance and cost.

Asphalt shingles are categorized by their weight per square (100 sq. ft.), with heavier shingles carrying longer warranties. Organic shingles retail at $25 to $29 a square and typically cany the lowest Class C fire rating and a manufacturer's warranty of about 20 years.

Their core consists of a cellulosefiber mat that is saturated with asphalt and coated with mineral granules that provide color and protection from ultraviolet radiation and fire. On a higher quality shingle, the granules are evenly distributed and tightly packed.

Although similar in construction to organic shingles, inorganic shingles are made with a frberglass mat, which is more durable than felt, permitting a manufacturer's warranty of 25 to 30 years and a Class A fire rating. They retail for $18 to $22 per square.

Both organic and inorganic shingles come in a premium grade, called architectural, heavyweight or laminated. Designed to simulate the lo.ok of wood, they feature a deep profile that creates a distinct shadow line. Laminated shingles sell for $29 to $80 per square and, at 325 to 375 lbs. Per square, carry significantly longer warranties.

(2) Sell a system.

Even though the price tag gets bigger, price usually becomes less of an