Have you ever wondered what an asphalt shingle is actually made of? No? Come on, just play along for a moment. You might be surprised by how helpful this is, especially when you’re talking to a roofer or trying to make decisions for your own home project. Who knows, maybe you’ll become a roofing expert one day! (Okay… probably not. But you will feel a lot more confident after this.) Let’s take a quick look at what goes into a typical architectural asphalt shingle. Each layer plays an important role: A fiberglass mat An asphalt coating Protective granules A sealant strip Now let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense. 1. The Core: Fiberglass Mat At the heart of the shingle is the fiberglass mat—the foundation everything else attaches to. Think of it like the shingle’s skeleton. It gives the shingle its shape, strength, and flexibility so it can handle wind, movement, and the changing seasons. But while the fiberglass mat is strong, it can’t stop water on its own. That brings us to the next, and arguably most important, layer. 2. The Waterproofing: Asphalt Coating The fiberglass mat is coated with asphalt on both sides, creating a sort of asphalt “sandwich.” This is the true workhorse of the shingle. Asphalt delivers the waterproofing, protects against hail and debris, and holds everything else together. If the fiberglass is the skeleton, asphalt is the muscle. The only downside? Asphalt ages. Sunlight (especially UV rays) slowly breaks down the chemical binders, and daily temperature swings cause expansion and contraction. Over time, that leads to cracking. Fortunately, the next layer helps protect it. 3. UV Protection & Color: Granules Those colorful little granules on the surface aren’t just for looks. They’re crushed stone coated with ceramic pigments, and they act like sunscreen for the asphalt underneath. They absorb and deflect UV rays, dramatically slowing down the aging process. As a bonus, they give shingles their color. If you’ve ever cleaned your gutters and noticed those little rocks collecting at the bottom, those are the granules doing their thing. 4. The Sealant Strip On the underside of each shingle is a small strip of black sealant. It may look insignificant, but it’s one of the most important parts of the system. Once installed and warmed by the sun, this strip bonds the shingles together, helps seal the nails below, and creates a watertight, wind‑resistant layer. Small strip, huge impact. Here is a photo from the IKO website, www.iko.com
Improve your home’s winter insulation in Western Massachusetts with energy-efficient windows that reduce drafts, heat loss, and heating costs.
How Long Should Your Roof Really Last in Massachusetts Weather? Let’s be honest, no one thinks about their roof until there’s a leak, a missing shingle, or a surprise brown stain on the ceiling. But in a place like Western Massachusetts, where snow, wind, and summer heat hit hard, your roof is working overtime. So, how long should your roof actually last in our climate? The honest answer: it depends. But here’s what you should know so you can plan, avoid surprises, and protect your home (and wallet).
Have you ever wondered what an asphalt shingle is actually made of? No? Come on, just play along for a moment. You might be surprised by how helpful this is, especially when you’re talking to a roofer or trying to make decisions for your own home project. Who knows, maybe you’ll become a roofing expert one day! (Okay… probably not. But you will feel a lot more confident after this.) Let’s take a quick look at what goes into a typical architectural asphalt shingle. Each layer plays an important role: A fiberglass mat An asphalt coating Protective granules A sealant strip Now let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense. 1. The Core: Fiberglass Mat At the heart of the shingle is the fiberglass mat—the foundation everything else attaches to. Think of it like the shingle’s skeleton. It gives the shingle its shape, strength, and flexibility so it can handle wind, movement, and the changing seasons. But while the fiberglass mat is strong, it can’t stop water on its own. That brings us to the next, and arguably most important, layer. 2. The Waterproofing: Asphalt Coating The fiberglass mat is coated with asphalt on both sides, creating a sort of asphalt “sandwich.” This is the true workhorse of the shingle. Asphalt delivers the waterproofing, protects against hail and debris, and holds everything else together. If the fiberglass is the skeleton, asphalt is the muscle. The only downside? Asphalt ages. Sunlight (especially UV rays) slowly breaks down the chemical binders, and daily temperature swings cause expansion and contraction. Over time, that leads to cracking. Fortunately, the next layer helps protect it. 3. UV Protection & Color: Granules Those colorful little granules on the surface aren’t just for looks. They’re crushed stone coated with ceramic pigments, and they act like sunscreen for the asphalt underneath. They absorb and deflect UV rays, dramatically slowing down the aging process. As a bonus, they give shingles their color. If you’ve ever cleaned your gutters and noticed those little rocks collecting at the bottom, those are the granules doing their thing. 4. The Sealant Strip On the underside of each shingle is a small strip of black sealant. It may look insignificant, but it’s one of the most important parts of the system. Once installed and warmed by the sun, this strip bonds the shingles together, helps seal the nails below, and creates a watertight, wind‑resistant layer. Small strip, huge impact. Here is a photo from the IKO website, www.iko.com
Improve your home’s winter insulation in Western Massachusetts with energy-efficient windows that reduce drafts, heat loss, and heating costs.
How Long Should Your Roof Really Last in Massachusetts Weather? Let’s be honest, no one thinks about their roof until there’s a leak, a missing shingle, or a surprise brown stain on the ceiling. But in a place like Western Massachusetts, where snow, wind, and summer heat hit hard, your roof is working overtime. So, how long should your roof actually last in our climate? The honest answer: it depends. But here’s what you should know so you can plan, avoid surprises, and protect your home (and wallet).
As this year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on all the things, and people, I’m grateful for. It’s been a year full of growth, change, and meaningful moments, both big and small. And honestly, I couldn’t be prouder or more thankful for the incredible team and community that surrounds us. Welcoming New Team Members One of the biggest highlights of the year has been welcoming new faces to our team. Each person has brought their own spark, new energy, fresh ideas, and a genuine excitement for what we do. Watching them find their footing, set goals, and start achieving them has been such a joy. It reminds me why building a strong, supportive team matters so much. Growth, Learning, and Opportunity I’m also thankful for the ways we’ve continued to grow together. We’ve invested in training, created clearer paths for career development, and made space for people to stretch into new roles. Seeing that effort pay off, in confidence, new skills, and a stronger sense of purpose,is incredibly rewarding. Celebrating Milestones This year was special for a few big reasons. We celebrated our very first team member retirement. We also had our first team member transition roles, which was such a great reminder that growth sometimes means taking a new direction within the same family. Moments like these remind me just how much heart our team has. Our Clients and Projects I can’t say enough about our clients. We’re so lucky to work with people who trust us, challenge us, and make our work meaningful. The projects we’ve taken on this year have been exciting, creative, and sometimes even a little daring, exactly the kind that keep us inspired and moving forward. New Connections and Community I’m also incredibly thankful for all the new connections we’ve made this year, from new friends and professional partners to the amazing vendor partners who help make what we do possible every single day. It takes a village to do great work, and we’re so fortunate to have such dependable, talented, and kind people in our corner. And beyond work, I’m grateful for the community we’re part of, for the friendships that have grown stronger, the new ones that have blossomed, and the genuine sense of connection that makes all of this so fulfilling. On a Personal Note On a personal level, I’m endlessly thankful for our families, the ones who cheer us on, keep us grounded, and love us through it all. And to our wider community, thank you for being such an important part of our journey. You remind us what we’re working toward and who we’re doing it for. Looking Ahead As we head into a new year, I’m filled with gratitude, for our team, our clients, our partners, our friends, and our families. This year has reminded me that success isn’t just about what we achieve; it’s about who we achieve it with . Here’s to carrying that spirit of thankfulness into the year ahead, and to all the amazing things yet to come.
A Swift Solution to an Urgent Problem: Full Roof Replacement Success Story
Reviving a Classic Home with Expert Roofing and Siding Solutions
A Superior Siding Transformation with Expert Craftsmanship
