Advances in Asphalt Shingle Technology Greg Keeler, Technical Service Leader, Owens Corning
Let’s face it, when you hear the words “technology” and “asphalt shingles” used together, you might be skeptical. To most people, it doesn’t seem like much has changed in the past 50 years in the asphalt shingle industry. And while this speaks to the long-term durability of the asphalt shingle, there is certainly more than meets the eye. Asphalt shingles were invented in 1903 and, by the late 1930s, were being used widely in the US. Early asphalt shingles were manufactured using an organic felt sheet that was coated with asphalt, then covered with mineral granules for protection against the elements. Variations to the size and shape of shingles were made over the next several decades, but the basic construction remained the same.
Excellent Adhesive Power Helps thethe shingle layerslayers laminated. Helpskeep keep shingle laminated.
Outstanding Grip The strip enhances the already TheSureNail SureNail strip enhances The SureNail strip enhances amazing grip ofamazing our proprietary the already grip Tru-Bond of our the already amazing grip of our sealant for exceptional wind resistance of proprietary Tru-Bond sealant for proprietary Tru-Bond sealantoffor aexceptional 130-MPH wind warranty. * wind resistance a ®
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exceptional wind resistance of a 130-MPH wind warranty. 130-MPH wind warranty.
Breakthrough Design
Patented SureNail Technology Patented SureNail Technology** is the is the only nailing reinforced first andfirst only and reinforced zone nailing zone onshingle. the face of the on the face of the ®
shingle. “No Guess” Wide Nailing Zone Thistough, tough, engineered wovenThis engineered woven-fabric strip fabric strip inisthe embedded in thean is embedded shingle to create shingle to strong, createdurable an easy-to-see easy-to-see fastener zone. strong, durable fastener zone.
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Triple Layer Protection + A unique unique“triple “triple layer” of relayer” of reinforcement inforcement thethe occurs whenoccurs the fabricwhen overlays fabric overlays two two shingle layers,the called theshingle common layers, called the common bond area. bond area. Double the Common Bond SureNail features up toup a 200% wider SureNail features to a 200% common bond areabond in the area nailingin zone wider common over standard shingles. the nailing zone over standard shingles.
FLORIDA ROOFING | September 2020
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In the 1950s, manufacturers started applying sealant to the shingles during the manufacturing process to increase the wind resistance of the shingles. In the 1960s, manufacturers made a concerted effort to convert all shingles from organic to fiberglass mat. Owens Corning had invented Fiberglas, a glass fiber reinforcement, in the late 1930s. A fiberglass mat at the core of shingles was designed to make asphalt shingles stronger, perform better long term, and provide better fire performance versus organic mat asphalt shingles. At this point, 3-tab shingles were the prominent shingle in the market. In the early 1970s, development of what we now call “laminate,” “dimensional” or “architectural” shingles began. These shingles were designed to look