Almost every shingle roof in Florida uses the same basic product: a fiberglass asphalt shingle. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) describes it as a fiberglass mat soaked and coated on both sides with asphalt, then covered on the exposed side with mineral granules.
What is inside a shingle
| Layer | What it does | Share of weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass mat | The backbone that gives the shingle its shape and strength | About 2% |
| Asphalt | Keeps water out and holds the granules in place | About 17% |
| Mineral stabilizers (fillers) | Add weight and fire resistance to the asphalt | About 37% |
| Ceramic-coated granules | Block the sun’s UV light from reaching the asphalt and give the roof its color | About 35% |
| Back surfacing (sand) | Keeps shingles from sticking together in the bundle | About 8% |
| Sealant strip | Glues each shingle to the one below to resist wind | Under 1% |
Weights from ARMA’s industry environmental product declaration for asphalt shingles.
Architectural vs. 3-tab
A 3-tab shingle is a single flat layer with cutouts that make it look like three smaller shingles. ARMA calls it the basic, least expensive type. An architectural (laminated) shingle bonds two or more layers together, which makes it thicker, heavier and more dimensional. ARMA says architectural shingles are now the most common type. Most Florida roofs installed today use them.
Why the granules matter so much
Asphalt breaks down in ultraviolet light. The granules are the shingle’s sunscreen: crushed rock with a ceramic coating that blocks UV from reaching the asphalt underneath. When granules wash off, more sunlight reaches the asphalt and it ages faster.
Some granule loss is normal. GAF notes that new shingles carry extra “rider” granules that shed in the first months. Steady loss years later, bare spots, or piles of granules in the gutters are signs a roof is wearing out.
What Florida heat does to a roof
- Roofs get very hot. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) says dark roofs can reach 150°F or more in summer sun, and most dark roofing reflects only 5% to 20% of sunlight.
- Heat and sun dry out the asphalt. Home inspector training material from InterNACHI explains that asphalt ages mainly by oxidation and turns brittle as the oils that keep it flexible evaporate. Darker roofs and south-facing slopes run hotter and age faster.
- Ventilation helps. ARMA says good attic ventilation moves heat out and helps extend the life of the roof.
Do lighter or “cool” shingles help?
Lighter roofs run cooler. LBNL measured a black roof 54°F hotter than a white roof on a summer afternoon. Cool shingles use specially coated granules that reflect more sunlight while still looking like normal colors. In a Florida Solar Energy Center study of 11 Florida homes whose roofs were changed to white, cooling energy dropped an average of 19%.
One note if you are shopping: the ENERGY STAR label for roof products ended in 2022. The Cool Roof Rating Council directory is now the place to check a product’s reflectance.
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Frequently asked questions
What are asphalt shingles made of?
A fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and mineral fillers, topped with ceramic-coated rock granules, with a sealant strip that bonds each shingle to the next. By weight, fillers and granules make up most of the shingle.
Why do shingles lose granules?
Some loss is normal on new roofs as loose extra granules wash off. Ongoing loss over the years happens as the asphalt ages and stops holding them. Heavy loss exposes the asphalt to UV and speeds up aging.
Do light-colored shingles last longer in Florida?
Lighter and cool-rated shingles run cooler, and LBNL says cool roofs may degrade more slowly, but it also says more data is needed to prove a longer life.
More on how roofs work
- Shingle wind ratings explained: what Class F and Class H really mean
- Impact-resistant shingles: what Class 4 really means
- Black streaks on your roof: what they are and how to get rid of them
- Underlayment and secondary water barriers: the layer that saves your house
- How hurricanes damage roofs, and what keeps yours on
- Metal roofing near the coast: Galvalume, aluminum and salt air
- Concrete tile roofs explained: how they are made and what fails first
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Sources
- ARMA: Asphalt shingles environmental product declaration
- ARMA: Guide to your asphalt shingle roofing system
- CertainTeed: Anatomy of a shingle
- GAF: Granule loss on new shingles (R-112)
- InterNACHI: Asphalt shingle aging
- LBNL/DOE: Guidelines for selecting cool roofs
- LBNL Heat Island Group: Cool roofs
- Florida Solar Energy Center: Reflective roofing in residential buildings
- Cool Roof Rating Council: ENERGY STAR roofing program sunsets