DEFECTIVE SHINGLES BECOME COMMON KNOWLEDGE
More Information that Roofers DON'T WANT You To Know

Please see Definitions
 

   The premature failure of fiberglass shingles is simply Historical Fact.  By the mid-1990's these defective fiberglass
   shingles were reported by consumers and contractors across the country and documented in industry publications.
   Fiberglass shingles were failing in less than 15 years - but asphalt manufacturers did not initiate any product recalls.
   Asphalt manufacturers did not recall defective shingles or even warn consumers about the known defects, instead
   manufacturers started to increase shingle warranty periods in order to sell more (defective) shingles.

   Historically, the premature failure of fiberglass shingles has involved excessive granular loss and brittleness,
   cracking and splitting, blistering, curling, buckling seal failure and "weeping" (water seeping through the shingle).
   When a thorough inspection reveals ANY of these conditions the roof is beyond the "Re-Sale Window" and will
   normally require either replacement of roofing or negotiation of a "Roofing Allowance" in order to sell the home.

   Roofing contractor associations across the country became aware of the inferior quality of fiberglass shingles
   when member contractors complained the shingles didn't contain enough asphalt and were failing within 10 years.
   Contractor associations presented these concerns to the asphalt manufacturers and, in a short period of time,
   the inferior quality of fiberglass shingles became common knowledge within the entire roofing industry.

            The concerns regarding asphalt shingles began as a result of complaints received from
            (Western States Roofing Contractors Association) WSRCA member contractors.  Following complaints,
            in 1991, the WSRCA circulated an Asphalt Shingle Problem questionnaire to its members to determine
            if there was a problem with asphalt shingles.   [1]

            The results of the questionnaire showed that many of the 20-year guaranteed asphalt fiberglass shingles
            were failing as early as six months and continuing to fail up to 12 years.  The average failures were occurring
            at about five years of age.  The WSRCA determined that there was a problem.   [2]

            The failures and problems reported included:  blow-offs, buckling, curling, loss of granules,
            splitting and cracking and seal-down problems.   [3]

   While many asphalt manufacturers (and roofers) like to pretend that problems with premature failures were limited
   to the cheaper (post 1980's) organic shingles, the fact is, premature shingle failure has ALWAYS been associated
   with the fiberglass design.  A fact quickly confirmed  in cursory examination of trade magazines in the early-1990's
   which contained numerous articles on the defective fiberglass shingles - and strategies for contractors to eliminate
   financial liability for selling fiberglass shingles which they expected to fail prematurely. 

   While the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) is credited with the initial identification of the
   premature failure of fiberglass shingles, other contractor associations from across the country were also reporting
   premature failure of fiberglass shingles and expressing similar concerns about the financial liability for continuing
   to sell these defective shingles.

            The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA), another trade organization, has also received
            reports from their members of early failure of fiberglass shingles from Connecticut to California...
            According to Don Berg, of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) technical department,
            the cracking is not limited to one or two brands, or one or two types of qualities of shingle.  It has
            occurred in the commodity grade and the architect grade shingles.  Berg has received reports
            from generally around the country...   [4]

   As a result of complaints from contractor associations - In the early 1990's asphalt manufacturers were finally forced
   to admit they had been (and were) selling defective fiberglass shingles and that the premature failures of fiberglass
   shingles were not limited to any particular manufacturer, or any particular type of shingle. 

   Unfortunately, while asphalt manufacturers were finally forced to acknowledge the sale of defective shingles, they
   did NOT initiate any product recalls and they did NOT alert consumers to the known problem of premature failure.
   They simply acknowledged they were aware of the defective shingles and they promised to "study" the problem.

            The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is also aware of the problem, and
            responding in part to WSRCA test results, has recently formed a task force to study it and find solutions...
            the cracking problem occurs in a number of different types of shingles, from a number of different
            manufacturers, in many parts of the country.   [5]

   The premature failure of fiberglass shingles is simply historical fact.  Reports of defective fiberglass shingles
   were documented by contractor associations and acknowledged by manufacturer associations.  By the late-1990's
   premature failure of "modern" asphalt shingles, both fiberglass and the newer organic, was common knowledge
   within the roofing industry - and had started to become more widely known by the general public, finally resulting in
   several recent Class Action Lawsuits.

   Unfortunately, many asphalt manufacturers were very reluctant to even admit shingles were failing prematurely,
   they NEVER issued product recalls or warned consumers about defective shingles after acknowledging problems
   and they continue to deny liability - while providing (hundreds of) millions of dollars for class action settlements...

   And still, some consumers are SHOCKED by information that manufacturers (and roofers) are currently selling
   fiberglass shingles with a documented history of premature failures.  Consumers should not be shocked that roofers
   are currently selling products KNOWN to be defective - they have been selling defective shingles for almost 30 years.

The asphalt roofing industry is NOT like the automotive industry.
There are no "Recalls" when asphalt shingles are found to be Defective.
Recent history has shown defective shingles continue to be sold for Decades.

   The asphalt industry does not NEED to demonstrate the same responsibility (to consumers) as the auto industry
   because most Americans move every 5 to 7 years - before the premature failure occurs - so they are not affected
   by sales of shingles known to be defective... The subsequent homeowners must deal with the premature failures.
   Asphalt manufacturers have admitted, in major trade publications, this Strategy of Planned Obsolescence.  [6]

   Homeowners can be excused for considering an idea as ridiculous as 30, 40 or 50 year asphalt shingles... they are
   unsuspecting consumers, not roofing experts.  But what about the roofing contractors?  What about manufacturers?
   Can they ever be excused for using deception to sell defective products?  See:  Selling Defective Shingles in Seattle

   It's very easy to "sell" inexperienced and unsuspecting buyers the idea of a long-term lifespan for asphalt shingles,
   when the only examples shown are less than 10 years old.  It's something altogether different when consumers have
   the opportunity to actually see the condition of a 20 year fiberglass installation.  See: Recent Class Action Lawsuits

   Fiberglass shingles have been on the market for over 30 years.  Even "luxury" shingles like the Presidential Shake
   have been produced for over 23 years.  If a manufacturer or roofing contractor is unwilling (or unable) to let you see
   what you can expect your roof to look like in 15 or 20 years... maybe you should look for a different roofing material.
   Learn what roofers (and manufacturers) DON'T WANT you to know.  Also see:  The Truth on Presidential Shingles

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   [1]   Charles Frost and Arlene Lawson, 'Seminar to Explore Asphalt Shingle Concerns at NRCA Convention'
          Western Roofing Magazine, (Jan/Feb 1993).
   [2]  ibid.
   [3]  ibid.
   [4]  Ted Cushman, 'Choosing an Asphalt Shingle: Organic vs Fiberglass'
          Journal of Light Construction Magazine, (May 1993).
   [5]  ibid.
   [6]  Greg Malarkey, 'Cheap Shingles: As with Everything Else in Life, You Get What You Pay For'
         Western Roofing Magazine, (Nov/Dec 1991).
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