An Atlas facility makes laminated shingles and three-tab shingles. Production starts with a glass mat, followed by top and back asphalt coatings and surface granules. The material is cooled, dried, given a self-seal application, and cut. Laminated shingles then move through cutting, taping, laminating, and packing.
For a reroof proposal, the practical takeaway is to name the exact Atlas product rather than relying on a broad label such as “architectural shingle.” If a copper-related feature matters to your choice, have the proposal identify whether the selected product includes it.
Glass mat, asphalt, granules, and sealant
The glass mat is the first material placed on the line. Asphalt is applied as top and back coating, and granules are placed on the top surface. Cooling water and fans cool and dry the sheet before self-seal material is applied.
Mineral stabilizer, also called filler, is part of the asphalt mixture. It is used to stabilize asphalt so it does not become sticky or gummy. The facility described filler as limestone-based mineral material.
The line can produce laminated shingles and three-tabs. For laminated shingles, the sheet is cut into pieces that are taped together, laminated, and packed.
A 15-minute check for granule adhesion
Granule adhesion is checked every 15 minutes on the line. A prepared shingle sample is weighed, flexed back and forth 50 times, then weighed again to measure granule loss.
The procedure was described as an ASTM test method. The facility's stated benchmark is below one gram of granule loss. This quality-control test measures loss from a prepared sample under the specified flexing procedure; it does not evaluate the condition of an installed roof.
Testing asphalt, back coating, and self-seal material
Incoming asphalt is checked for viscosity, penetration, and softening behavior using a ring-and-ball test. These raw-material checks are performed on every truck delivery of asphalt.
Finished-shingle checks include tear strength, self-seal thickness, and back-coating amount. For the back-coating test, a sample is weighed, the asphalt layer is burned away without burning the glass mat, and the remaining material is measured. The back-coating check is performed at least every half hour and is held to internal minimum and maximum specifications.
Self-seal application is measured for caliper, or thickness. The facility also uses ovens to evaluate self-seal bonding at different temperatures.
Copper readings across a laminated shingle
For shingles carrying the copper program, samples are cut from multiple areas of a laminated shingle, including the shadow line, and placed in an X-ray-reading machine. One displayed sample measured 14.4 percent copper, and the stated minimum reading was 10.
Samples are retained, with companion samples sent to 3M and a third-party laboratory for comparison. The copper testing is part of the facility's monitoring of copper percentage on the shingle.
Algae growth was associated with shade, moisture, and available nutrients. A proposal can identify the exact Atlas product, color, whether it is laminated or three-tab, and whether it includes the copper-related feature you selected. Directorii lists verified contractors.
Source: Atlas factory tour
FAQ
How are Atlas asphalt shingles made?
Production begins with a glass mat. Top and back asphalt coatings and surface granules are applied, then the sheet is cooled, dried, given a self-seal application, and cut. Laminated shingles are then taped, laminated, and packed.
What is the Atlas granule-adhesion test?
A prepared shingle sample is weighed, flexed back and forth 50 times, and weighed again to measure granule loss. The check is performed every 15 minutes, and the stated benchmark is below one gram of loss.
How is asphalt checked before it is used in shingles?
Incoming asphalt is tested for viscosity, penetration, and softening behavior. The facility described performing those raw-material checks on every truck delivery of asphalt.
What does the back-coating test measure?
The test measures the amount of asphalt back coating on a shingle. A sample is weighed, the asphalt layer is burned away without burning the glass mat, and the remaining material is measured. The check is performed at least every half hour.
What did the copper test measure?
An X-ray-reading machine measures copper content in samples cut from multiple areas of a laminated shingle, including the shadow line. One displayed sample measured 14.4 percent copper, and the stated minimum reading was 10.
