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Most shingles are a composite of asphalt and fiberglass, a blend that produces strength and longevity & durability. You can gauge durability by the length of the warranty.

Manufacturers measure durability in tear strength which is tested by machine. The more shingles resist ripping, the longer the warranty. Forty-year-warranty shingles excel in tear strength. A 25-year warranty is good and the industry standard, says Mike Halloran, office manager at K.W. Billman Roofing. You should look for a guarantee of at least 25 years.

Warranty length isn't the only longevity to consider. The manufacturer's longevity matters, too, Halloran says. "Will the company be there if a problem occurs? If it has been in business a long time, it's a good sign."

"Remember, too," says Billman Roofing estimator Bill Weiss, "that improper installation voids the warranty - just like opening the back of your new TV - so get yourself a qualified installer."

Copyright 2003 Rochester Area Builders, Inc. No part of the Builder's Corner articles may be reproduced or printed without written permission from Rochester Area Builders. 108 Elton Hills Lane NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Phone 507-282-7698.