The Origins of Asphalt Shingles When Were They Invented

Asphalt shingles have been a staple in roofing for over a century, but have you ever wondered where they came from? The first asphalt shingles were patented in the late 1800s.

In 1877, a man named Frederick Inn and Company patented the first asphalt shingle, which was made by layering asphalt, wood, and tar. This early version of asphalt shingles was a significant improvement over traditional roofing materials.

The early asphalt shingles were not as durable as modern ones, but they paved the way for the development of more advanced roofing materials.

Asphalt shingles have a relatively recent history, and their development is a fascinating story.

The first asphalt roof was built in 1901, marking the beginning of a new trend in roofing materials.

In the early days, shingles were made with organic base materials like cotton rags, manila, jute, wool, or wood pulp.

By the 1930s, millions of shingles were being manufactured throughout the USA, and the industry was taking off.

The 1950s saw the introduction of adhesives and the development of self-sealing shingles.

This led to the creation of flexible fiberglass shingles in the 1960s, although the quality of these early varieties was not up to modern standards.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, or ARMA, was formed in 1990 and began conducting research on the wind resistance of asphalt shingles.

By the late 1990s, ARMA had partnered with various organizations to create a classification system for roofing materials, which had a significant impact on the industry.

Organic shingles, made from natural components like wood fibers, waste papers, and fabrics coated with asphalt and covered in durable granules, were still widely used through the second half of the 20th century.

However, they required 40% more asphalt than fiberglass shingles and had difficulty standing up to extreme weather.

Fiberglass reinforced shingles, on the other hand, are more fire-resistant and weigh significantly less, making them a popular choice for many homeowners.

By the 1980s and 90s, fiberglass shingles had largely replaced organic shingles, and modern asphalt shingles are now available in a wide range of colors and styles.

Asphalt shingles have come a long way since their introduction. Prior to 1900, there were no asphalt shingles, and the first asphalt roofing came in rolls, similar to roll roofing today but lacking granules on the surface.

The earliest shingles had the same three components as modern shingles: a base reinforcement material, asphalt, and a mineral granule top surfacing. However, the materials used for these components have changed over time to provide better roof performance and safety.

In the 1940s, shingle manufacturers began to use an organic material that was very tough as the base for the shingle, coated with a softer and harder asphalt. This was a significant improvement over the cotton rag mats that were used earlier.

Prior to the invention of asphalt shingles, roofing materials were quite varied. In 1800s America, roofing looked much like it had for centuries beforehand.

Wooden shakes, clay tiles, slate tiles, and metal roofs were some of the common roofing materials used during that time. Thatch, a straw or hay material, was also used on many ancient roofs.

The Warren brothers, Samuel M. and Cyrus M. Warren, from Cincinnati, began to use a cotton fabric for roofing in the 1840s. They coated the fabric with pine tar and sprinkled sand on it.

Coal tar became a cheaper option in the 1860s, but market conditions changed again, making it expensive. The Warren brothers then began to use asphalt to coat the fabric.

Asphalt shingles as we know them today didn't exist until the early 20th century. The first asphalt roof was built in 1901.

Weather Challenges have been a significant issue for the roofing industry, particularly with asphalt shingles. In the mid-20th century, strong winds posed a major challenge.

Prior to the 1950s, asphalt shingles were often manually glued down with asphaltic adhesives to resist wind uplift. This process was time-consuming and messy.

The introduction of self-sealing shingles in the late 1950s revolutionized the industry. Adhesive asphalt strips were applied to the back of the shingles, allowing them to stick to adjacent shingles after exposure to sunlight.

Early adhesives were based on harder asphalt resins, but manufacturers have since developed stronger and "stickier" sealants using asphalt combined with select polymers. This improvement provides better staying power in high winds.

Hail is another concern for shingle roofs, with the insurance industry increasingly concerned with roof performance during hailstorms in the 1960s. Underwriters Laboratories and the Institute of Business and Home Safety partnered to create an impact-resistance classification system for roofing materials.

Today, there are two common industry impact tests: UL 2218 and Factory Mutual (FM) 4473. Both tests yield a four-class system, with Class 4 shingles being the most resistant to impact.

Asphalt shingle wind resistance testing has evolved significantly over the years. The original test involved a deck of asphalt shingles installed per the manufacturer's instructions and conditioned in a large oven.

Asphalt shingles have a surprisingly interesting history, and it's fascinating to learn about how they've evolved over time. The earliest shingles had the same three components as modern shingles: a base reinforcement material, asphalt, and a mineral granule top surfacing.

By the 1940s, the roofing industry had moved away from cotton rag mats and started using an organic material as the base for shingles. This material was saturated with asphalt and coated on top and bottom with a harder weathering asphalt.

In the 1970s and 1980s, some shingle manufacturers switched to inorganic fiberglass for the shingle mat, which was thinner, stronger, and weighed less than organic mats. Fiberglass mats are now industry standard.

Asphalt shingles were first used in America at the beginning of the 20th century, with the first asphalt roof built in 1901. By the end of the 1930s, millions of shingles were being manufactured throughout the USA.

In the beginning, shingles were produced using organic base materials such as cotton rags, manila, jute, wool, or wood pulp. It wasn't until the 1950s that people began using adhesives and the development of self-sealing shingles began.

The 1960s brought many advancements to the asphalt shingle industry, including the creation of flexible fiberglass shingles. However, the quality of these early varieties was nowhere near modern standards.

Organic shingles were still frequently used through the second half of the 20th century and were made from natural components such as wood fibers, waste papers, or fabrics coated with asphalt and covered in durable granules. They required 40% more asphalt than fiberglass shingles and had difficulty standing up to extreme weather.

By the 1980s and 1990s, fiberglass reinforced shingles had become the norm due to their fire resistance and lighter weight. Modern asphalt shingles are available in a wide array of colors and styles, but most fit into one of two categories: Architectural and 3-Tab.