Asphalt vs. Fiberglass Shingles: Pros, Cons, and Costs

Asphalt shingles are affordable, easy to install, and provide good durability, with an average life span of around 25 years. Fiberglass shingles cost around twice as much but also last twice as long, so they provide similar value. In this article, we’ll discuss asphalt versus fiberglass shingles and their key differences to help you decide which is best for your home.

Asphalt vs. Fiberglass Shingles: Key Differences

Asphalt shingles cost around $3 per square foot and last for around 20 to 25 years, on average. They’re the most popular roofing material in the U.S., largely because of their ease of installation, availability, durability, and life span. 

Fiberglass shingles cost around $6 per square foot, on average, but while you’ll spend twice as much on the material, you’ll also see around double the life span. Fiberglass shingles are a good alternative to asphalt shingles, except in areas that see strong winds, which can more easily damage and lift fiberglass roofs.

What Are Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are a widely used roofing material composed of a base material coated with asphalt and mineral granules. These shingles are popular for their affordability, versatility, and ease of installation. They come in a variety of styles, colors, and textures, allowing homeowners to achieve different aesthetic looks for their roofs.

Asphalt shingles provide reliable protection against the elements, including rain, wind, and sunlight, and they are a common choice for residential roofing projects across a range of climates.

Best for: Homeowners looking for an affordable roofing material that provides good value for money without sacrificing quality or durability.

Pros of Asphalt Shingles

The biggest upsides to asphalt shingles are the cost and the value you get for your money. Asphalt shingles are one of the most affordable roofing material options you can choose for your home, and you still get 20 to 25 years of usable life out of them.

They also come in a variety of colors and styles, including luxury asphalt shingles for high-end roof installations. You can even buy performance shingles for homes in areas prone to extreme weather. Performance shingles can withstand extreme winds, hailstones, excessive rain, and impact from blown debris, making them a great option for just about any climate.

Asphalt shingles also provide better insulation than fiberglass shingles, so they contribute more to lower heating and cooling bills.

Cons of Asphalt Shingles

The life span of an asphalt roof is between 20 and 25 years, which is shorter than some other materials, like fiberglass or metal. As such, you’ll need to replace your roof more often.

Asphalt shingles are also prone to algae and moss growth, especially in humid or shaded areas, which not only affects their appearance but also necessitates periodic cleaning and maintenance.

Lastly, asphalt shingles aren’t the most sustainable roof option, but they can be and are often recycled for use in roadway asphalt. They’re easier to recycle than fiberglass shingles.

What Are Fiberglass Shingles?

Fiberglass shingles are a type of asphalt shingle made from a fiberglass mat base coated with asphalt and embedded with ceramic granules. The fiberglass mat offers greater durability and fire resistance than you’d get from traditional asphalt shingles. The fiberglass mat also provides strength and stability to the shingles while allowing them to be lighter than asphalt. As a result, they stand up better to impact but don’t fare as well in strong winds.

Fiberglass shingles are known for their excellent dimensional stability, meaning they are less likely to warp or distort over time and are particularly suitable for regions prone to excessive rainfall, hailstorms, and humidity.

Best for: Homeowners seeking a roofing solution with a long life span or those looking to enhance the visual appeal of their homes.

Pros of Fiberglass Shingles

The durability of fiberglass shingles stands out as a key benefit, as they last up to twice as long as asphalt shingles and are more impact-resistant. As such, they’re a better option in areas prone to hail.

Their lightweight nature reduces stress on the roof structure and makes them easier to install, potentially cutting down on labor costs when you hire a roofing company near you to install them. They look similar to asphalt roofs, but they tend to be more resistant to varying climates, so they’re likely to look newer for longer.

The energy efficiency of fiberglass shingles is a significant advantage, with some models featuring reflective coatings that reduce heat absorption to improve energy efficiency and lower cooling costs, particularly in hot climates. If you hire a roofer to carry out the installation, make sure you ask them which option is better for your climate.

Cons of Fiberglass Shingles

One of the most notable drawbacks to fiberglass shingles is the higher up-front cost. The average cost of roof shingles using fiberglass is around $6 per square foot, which is about double what you’d pay for asphalt shingles.

Although fiberglass shingles are durable, their lighter weight makes them more prone to lifting and damage from strong winds. As such, they won’t last as long or provide as much protection as asphalt shingles in areas that see tornado, hurricane, or tropical storm activity, especially compared to performance shingles designed to withstand severe winds.

Fiberglass shingles offer less insulation compared to asphalt shingles, which can affect energy efficiency and heating and cooling costs for the home, potentially leading to higher utility bills.

Fiberglass vs. Asphalt Shingles

Appearance: Fiberglass

Fiberglass and asphalt shingles are virtually indistinguishable, so their appearance, at least initially, is about the same. However, fiberglass shingles last longer, so they tend to maintain their original appearance longer. As such, they just beat out asphalt shingles in terms of their look.

Options and Customizations: Asphalt

Asphalt and fiberglass shingles offer similar customization options when it comes to aesthetics, including color and design choices. However, asphalt shingles are available with added performance guarantees and are more customizable for areas that see extreme weather, including severe wind and impact.

Durability: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles offer greater durability due to the use of a fiberglass mat base, which provides increased strength and stability. Fiberglass shingles are highly resistant to warping, cracking, impact, and fire, making them suitable for various weather conditions and climates.

Their superior durability allows fiberglass shingles to maintain their structural integrity and appearance over a longer period, often lasting 25 to 50 years or more with proper maintenance. In contrast, while asphalt shingles also offer good durability for the price, they may be more susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures and impact.

Price: Asphalt

Asphalt shingles are almost always more affordable, boasting one of the lowest costs for any roofing material: around $3 per square foot. In comparison, fiberglass shingles typically cost around double that, at $6 per square foot.

It’s worth noting that asphalt shingles have about half the life span of fiberglass shingles, so the value for the money is about the same.

Ease of Installation: Fiberglass

Fiberglass roof shingles are slightly easier to install because they’re lighter and a bit more flexible, meaning they’re easier to carry up a ladder onto the roof and easier to place. However, the rest of the installation process is more or less the same.

Ease of Repair: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles are more flexible, which allows for simpler patching or replacement of damaged shingles. The actual process for roof repair with both shingle types is more or less the same, but the cost of roof shingle repair will be higher for fiberglass shingles due to the higher material cost.

Maintenance: Fiberglass

Both asphalt and fiberglass shingles require minimal maintenance and upkeep, only requiring cleaning if you have moss or algae growing on the surface. However, fiberglass is slightly easier to maintain in the long run because the material lasts about twice as long, so you’re less likely to need maintenance for discolored or damaged shingles.

Life Span: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles last for 25 to 50 years in most cases, which is around twice as long as the 20 to 25 years you’d get from traditional asphalt shingles.

Sustainability: Asphalt

Both asphalt and fiberglass shingles are recyclable, but asphalt is easier to recycle. This is due, in part, to how common asphalt shingles are, which means there are more avenues to recycle old asphalt shingles. However, fiberglass is also made from composite material, so separating the different components to recycle them requires more effort.

Fire-Resistance: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles offer much better resistance to fire because they use a fire-resistant fiberglass base, while asphalt shingles use flammable paper or felt. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, fiberglass shingles will be a better option for keeping your home safe.

Weight: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles are significantly lighter than asphalt shingles because they require less asphalt to provide support to the shingles. As such, fiberglass roofs are a bit easier to install and are less likely to cause structural issues in your home.

Resale Value: Fiberglass

Fiberglass shingles hold a slight advantage over asphalt shingles when it comes to resale value due to their longer life span and superior durability. Homes with fiberglass shingle roofs may command a higher selling price compared to those with asphalt shingle roofs, as buyers often perceive them as a long-term investment requiring fewer immediate repairs or replacements.