Roof types · Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingle roofs
Most houses here have asphalt shingles, and for good reason: they're the cheapest roof to install, every roofer knows them, and a modern architectural shingle installed over good underlayment lasts 20 to 30 years even in our rain. The differences that matter are the grade of shingle, the underlayment and flashing underneath, and the ventilation above the ceiling.
- Installed
- $5.50 to $9.50 per sq ft
- Lifespan here
- About 20 to 30 years
- Upkeep
- Low to moderate
- Upkeep cost
- Moss treatment every few years on shaded slopes
Common brands and products: IKO Cambridge and Dynasty, GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark, Malarkey Vista and Legacy, BP Mystique
Pros
What it does well
- Lowest installed cost of any roof
- Every roofer installs it; quotes are easy to compare
- Wide colour choice and good manufacturer warranties on the better grades
- Easy to repair, with matching shingles available for years
- Class 4 impact-rated and algae-resistant options
Cons
What to weigh up
- Shortest life of the common roof types, so it's replaced two or three times in the life of a metal roof
- Grows moss on north and shaded slopes in our climate
- Granule loss and curling as it ages
- Quality varies a lot between the cheapest and best shingles
- Layovers hide problems and shorten life
In our climate
Shingles and the West Coast
Asphalt shingles here don't fail from heat and UV the way they do on the Prairies. They fail from staying wet. Moss and algae take hold on shaded slopes, lift the shingle edges and hold water against the deck. Freeze-thaw cycles in January pop granules off wet shingles. And the mild, damp winters mean attics sweat if they aren't ventilated, which cooks the shingles from below in summer.
The practical answers: pick an algae-resistant shingle, insist on synthetic underlayment and ice and water membrane in the valleys and at the eaves (the code doesn't require eave protection in the Lower Mainland's mild climate zone, but the industry standard does), get the ventilation right, and treat moss early with zinc strips or a registered moss treatment rather than pressure washing.
Rough budget
2,000 sq ft of asphalt shingles
- Installed, typical range
- $11,000 to $19,000
- Per square foot
- $5.50 to $9.50 per sq ft
Before tear-off extras, plywood repairs, permits and GST. Steep or cut-up roofs cost more.
Price your own roof →Questions
Asphalt shingles questions
How long do asphalt shingles last here?
Architectural shingles typically last 20 to 30 years in the Lower Mainland, less on shaded, mossy north slopes and roofs with poor attic ventilation, more on sunny, well-ventilated roofs. Three-tab shingles from the 1990s often lasted 15 to 20.
Which shingle brand is best?
IKO, GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey and BP all make good architectural shingles, and the installation matters more than the brand. Look for algae-resistant granules, a class 4 impact rating if you want it, and compare the actual warranty documents, not the headline years.
What does a 'lifetime' shingle warranty mean?
Manufacturer warranties usually cover the shingles against defects, not workmanship, and are often prorated after an initial period. Lifetime means the life of the original owner's ownership, with transfer rules. Read the document for the non-prorated period and what's excluded.
How do I stop moss on shingles?
Keep trees trimmed back, clear debris, and treat early with zinc strips at the ridge or a registered moss treatment. Don't pressure wash: it strips granules. Algae-resistant shingles help with black streaks, less so with moss.
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