Shingles: Fiberglass vs. organic

Q: What’s better, fiberglass or organic shingles? Two of the three companies quoting on my roof job strongly recommend fiberglass. From a price stand point, there’s little difference, though warranties look better on the fiberglass. Can you help me make my decision?

A: Based on my research and personal experience, I’ve chosen fiberglass for my own buildings. Both look quite similar when you tear open a bundle, but the main difference is the underlying mat used as a substrate for the tar and gravel coatings. Organic shingles are built on a heavy paper-like base, while fiberglass shingles have non-woven glass fibres at their core. This results in better resistance to heat, both on roofs that might not have sufficient ventilation, and in the event of a fire. Fiberglass shingles are surprisingly fire resistant, while most organic shingles burn like crazy once they get going.