asphalt
asphalt
Replacing cedar shake with a harmonious asphalt is aesthetically problematic. Material colors are more saturated, and while some can vary somewhat in the light, the material lacks the luminescence of natural cedar and that which can be achieved in composite products. The manufacturing process makes it impossible to achieve the organic variation in surface pattern and shape that one sees in cedar or even the molded composite shakes.
There are three tiers of asphalt available for the residential market:
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3 tab shingles are the lowest cost and least durable shingle, characterized by flat coloring and design.
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Architectural or dimensional shingles are made from multiple layers of asphalt bonded together. They are thicker and more durable than traditional 3-tab shingles, offering a more aesthetically appealing look that some believe mimic materials like wood shakes or slate tiles.
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​Premium shingles, also known as luxury shingles, are high-quality asphalt roofing materials designed to provide superior durability, aesthetic appeal, and longer lifespans compared to standard shingles. They attempt to mimic the look of natural materials like slate and are thicker, offering better protection against the elements.​
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PREMIUM SHINGLE
COLOR: WEATHERED WOOD
3-TAB SHINGLE
COLOR: WEATHERED WOOD
COmparable coloR, PATTERN, & overall appearance
The proposed text for the Amendment includes "All roofs installed after the effective date of this Amendment shall be cedar shake, synthetic shake, or a premium grade asphalt. All roofs other than cedar shakes ... shall be of comparable pattern, color, and overall appearance to weathered cedar shake roofs.”
The definition of "premium" may vary among manufacturers. The point is less about the manufacturers' designations than the thickness and overall appearance of quality of the material.
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When considering new roofing materials homeowners should match their current roof's color as closely as possible. Generally, Golf View roofs tend to be a medium-dark gray that leans brown and warm rather than cool and black. Many high-end asphalt shingle manufacturers offer a "weathered wood" color in their palette, though some execute it better than others. Colors will change with the sun, so viewing samples in different light is imperative. Avoid deeply saturated colors such as like reds, blacks, or deep browns, and avoid palettes that have a wide variety of color tones, such as the Certainteed Presidential Shake IR shown below.
NexGen suggested GAF Grand Sequoia as the best asphalt alternative to cedar. Anchor suggested CertainTeed's Presidential Shake IR. Both are considered premium products. Aesthetically similar, they achieve their purported similarity to cedar via variation in shingle color, layout and the cut and thickness of the shingle. Although they are sold as faux cedar, both the pattern and color variation are busy, causing them to be inharmonious with the natural cedar in Golf View. These products are not a good replacement for cedar roofs.
Asphalt products designed to mimic slate may provide a more harmonious look for us, as the shape is more rectangular, and the shingles are colored with shadows for a thicker look. Avoid obvious unusual shape patterns and stay with a more traditional rectangular appearance.
