Our roofing tests focus on a shingle’s strength and how well it maintains its appearance over time. We use a calibrated machine, called an Instron, that applies force to shingles to replicate everything from ferocious winds to fallen tree limbs.
We test the thickest part of each shingle, which is where the largest number of layers overlap. And we test the thinnest parts—typically near the edges—where there’s often only one layer of material, because those are the weak spots that can lead to loose or cracked shingles and eventually leaks. We also drop 5-pound weights from various heights to simulate heavy hail to see which shingles bend, dent, or crack from the impact. To see how they stand up over time to sun and rain, we use a machine that exposes them to 500 hours’ worth of ultraviolet light that’s as bright as the midday sun and water sprays that duplicate strong rain.
A Note on Shingle Pricing
While home centers price roofing by the bundle, the square footage a bundle covers will differ by product line. In our ratings, we list prices per “square,” an industry term that denotes a 10x10-foot area, or 100 square feet. This allows you to make direct price comparisons across different lines of shingles.
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