If you are comparing fiberglass shingles vs asphalt shingles, the names can be confusing. Most modern fiberglass shingles are asphalt shingles. The fiberglass is the reinforcing mat inside the shingle, while asphalt provides water resistance and mineral granules protect the surface. For Colorado homes, the better question is which asphalt shingle product has the right impact rating, wind rating, construction, warranty, and price for your roof.
Colorado homeowners often hear several names for the same family of roof products. One estimate may say asphalt shingles. Another may say fiberglass shingles or fiberglass composition shingles. That can make it sound like you are choosing between two completely different roof materials.
In most cases, you are not. Modern residential asphalt shingles usually have a fiberglass mat inside them. New Roof Plus installs asphalt roofing systems for Colorado homes and can help you compare the actual shingle products instead of getting stuck on confusing labels.
Fiberglass Shingles vs Asphalt Shingles: What Is the Real Difference?
The simplest answer is this: a fiberglass shingle is usually a type of asphalt shingle.
Asphalt is the waterproofing material. Fiberglass is the reinforcing mat that gives the shingle structure. Mineral granules cover the top surface. Those parts work together as one roofing product.
The National Roofing Contractors Association describes fiberglass shingles as a fiberglass mat with asphalt above and below it, plus mineral granules on the surface. GAF describes modern asphalt shingles in the same basic way. That is why phrases such as asphalt fiberglass shingle, fiberglass asphalt shingles, and fiberglass roofing shingles often refer to the same product family.
The comparison made more sense decades ago, when asphalt shingles could use either an organic felt mat or a fiberglass mat. Today, fiberglass-mat shingles are the standard product on most residential asphalt roofs.
What Are Fiberglass Roofing Shingles Made Of?
A shingle looks simple from the ground, but it is built in layers. Each layer has a job.
Fiberglass mat
The fiberglass mat is the thin reinforcing base inside the shingle. It gives the shingle shape and strength without adding a lot of weight.
This fiberglass is not loose insulation sitting on top of the roof. It is part of a manufactured roofing sheet and is covered by asphalt and granules.
Asphalt coating
The asphalt surrounds the mat and helps keep water out. Manufacturers use roofing-grade asphalt that can handle heat, cold, sun, and normal movement on a roof.
A good roof still needs more than shingles. Underlayment, flashing, starter shingles, ridge materials, ventilation, and correct fastening all affect how well the roof performs.
Mineral granules
The colored granules on top of the shingle protect the asphalt from sunlight and weather. They also create the roof color you see from the street.
Granule loss can happen as shingles age or after severe weather. A few loose granules in a gutter do not automatically mean the roof has failed, but heavy or uneven loss deserves a closer look.
Why Did Fiberglass Replace Older Organic Asphalt Shingles?
Older asphalt shingles often used a paper-like organic felt as the reinforcing base. That mat absorbed more asphalt and made the finished shingle heavier.
Fiberglass mats allowed manufacturers to make shingles with less asphalt while keeping the structure needed for the product. They also improved fire performance. NRCA notes that most fiberglass shingles carry a Class A fire rating, while many older organic products were Class C.
| Factor | Older Organic-Mat Asphalt | Modern Fiberglass-Mat Asphalt |
| Reinforcing base | Cellulose or organic felt | Fiberglass mat |
| Weight | Usually heavier | Usually lighter |
| Asphalt needed | More | Less |
| Fire rating | Often lower | Many products are Class A |
| Availability today | Mostly found on older roofs | Common modern standard |
If your home has an older roof and you are not sure what type of shingle is installed, a professional inspection can help identify the product and its condition.
Do Asphalt Roof Shingles Have Fiberglass in Them?
Yes, most modern asphalt roof shingles have fiberglass in them. The fiberglass is the reinforcing mat inside the finished shingle.
That answers several common searches at once: do shingles have fiberglass, do roof shingles have fiberglass, and is there fiberglass in shingles. In most current residential asphalt products, the answer is yes.
There are still many different asphalt shingle designs. A basic 3-tab shingle, an architectural shingle, and an impact-resistant shingle may all use fiberglass mats. The major differences come from how the shingle is built, how much material is used, its shape, its impact rating, its wind rating, and the warranty attached to that product.
Fiberglass Shingles vs. Asphalt Shingles on Cost
The phrase fiberglass shingles vs asphalt cost creates another false choice. Since most modern asphalt shingles are fiberglass-mat shingles, price depends on the actual shingle grade rather than whether the shingle contains fiberglass.
A basic 3-tab fiberglass asphalt shingle usually sits at the lower end of the product range. Architectural shingles use more material and cost more. Designer shingles and Class 4 impact-resistant shingles may cost more again.
The roof price also includes much more than the shingles. Size, pitch, tear-off, deck repairs, flashing, ventilation, access, permit needs, and labor all affect the final estimate.
A low shingle price can be misleading if the quote leaves out work that the roof actually needs. It is better to compare full scopes of work line by line.
Which Fiberglass Asphalt Shingle Is Better for Colorado?
Colorado puts roofs through hail, strong sun, wind, snow, and large temperature swings. The fiberglass mat is only one part of the decision.
For a Front Range home, ask about the exact shingle product and its tested performance. Impact-resistant products can be useful in hail-prone areas, but they are not all equal. IBHS publishes side-by-side hail performance ratings because products that share an impact-resistant label can still respond differently to realistic hail impacts.
You should also compare wind ratings, starter and ridge components, underlayment, ventilation, and the installation requirements for the warranty. A premium shingle installed poorly is still a poorly installed roof.
Color matters too. Dark and light shingles can behave differently in the sun, and the roof color has a large effect on the look of the home. If you are changing siding or exterior paint at the same time, compare those samples next to the roof sample outdoors.
Do Not Shop for Fiberglass Alone: Compare the Whole Shingle
The label “fiberglass” does not tell you whether one shingle is better than another. Compare the exact products, the roof system around them, and the installer who will put them on your home.
New Roof Plus can inspect the existing roof, explain which asphalt products make sense for the property, and provide a complete scope for residential roof repair and replacement. Homeowners in the south metro can also work with the Highlands Ranch roofing company team. You can review local customer feedback through New Roof Plus reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are fiberglass shingles asphalt shingles? – Usually, yes. Most modern fiberglass shingles are asphalt shingles built around a fiberglass reinforcing mat.
- Do roof shingles have fiberglass in them? – Most modern residential asphalt shingles do. The fiberglass mat sits inside the shingle under the asphalt and mineral granules.
- What are fiberglass shingles made of? – They generally contain a fiberglass mat, roofing asphalt, mineral granules, and sealant or backing materials. The exact formula varies by manufacturer and product line.
- Are fiberglass shingles better than organic shingles? – Fiberglass-mat shingles became the modern standard because they are lighter and many products carry strong fire ratings. The condition and performance of a specific roof still depend on the product, installation, weather, and age.
- How long does a fiberglass shingle roof last? – There is no single lifespan for every fiberglass asphalt roof. Product grade, hail exposure, sun, ventilation, installation, maintenance, and roof design all affect useful service life.
- Are fiberglass asphalt shingles fire resistant? – Many are. NRCA says most fiberglass asphalt shingles have Class A fire ratings, but homeowners should verify the rating of the exact product being considered.
- Are architectural shingles made with fiberglass? – Most modern architectural asphalt shingles use a fiberglass mat. Architectural describes the laminated, dimensional design of the shingle, not a different reinforcing material.
Conclusion
Fiberglass shingles and asphalt shingles are usually not competing roof materials. Fiberglass is commonly the reinforcing mat inside a modern asphalt shingle. The useful comparison is between the specific shingle products available for your home and how those products handle Colorado weather.
If you want help comparing shingle types, impact ratings, colors, and the full roof scope, schedule a free roof inspection with New Roof Plus.
