This is the most commonly used and least expensive roof covering material. Asphalt roofing materials consist of either a rag fiber or a fiberglass mat impregnated with asphalt and covered with colored mineral granules. A wide variety of designs, weights, colors and sizes are available.

Asphalt shingles traditionally come in 3-tab profiles. However, you will now see newer Calgary homes that have steeper roof pitches coming in laminate shingle profiles. A wide range of “architectural” shingles are available, whose profiles suggest the random shadows and patterns of slate, wood shingles, or ceramic tile

Asphalt roofs show their age when the mineral granules wear off, reveal the black asphalt and the corners and edges of the shingles begin to curl and crack. This is an indication that the asphalt composition has begun to dry out and lose its weather-proof seal. When only a few shingles show the above type of wear, the simple and less costly replacement of worn-out shingles may be all that is needed. If one out of every five to ten shingles shows this wear and aging, it is may be time to re-roof.