A plurality of granules comprising particulate silicate material bonded together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the hardener is at least one of aluminum phosphate, amorphous aluminosilicate, fluorosilicate, Portland cement, or a calcium silicate, wherein the particulate silicate material is present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granules have Tumble Toughness Value of at least 70 before immersion in water and at least 40 after immersion in water at 20 C.2 C. for two months. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

In an embodiment, a method includes applying a liquid plural component polymer to a sloped roof to form a protective surface that inhibits moisture seepage to the roof sheathing. In some embodiments, the plural component polymer may be a polyurea compound having a hardening time that is less than approximately 10 minutes. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be aerated prior to application to the roof substrate. In some embodiments, one or more polystyrene panels may be affixed to the sloped roof prior to application of the liquid plural component polymer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

In an embodiment, a method includes applying a liquid plural component polymer to a sloped roof to form a protective surface that inhibits moisture seepage to the roof sheathing. In some embodiments, the plural component polymer may be a polyurea compound having a hardening time that is less than approximately 10 minutes. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be aerated prior to application to the roof substrate. In some embodiments, one or more polystyrene panels may be affixed to the sloped roof prior to application of the liquid plural component polymer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Roofing materials and related methods are provided. A roofing material comprises a first layer, and a second layer on the first layer. The first layer comprises a first thermoplastic polymer. The first layer has a first color. The second layer comprises a second thermoplastic polymer. The second layer has a second color. The second layer comprises a plurality of openings or a plurality of thermoplastic polymer pieces. The first layer is exposed through the second layer.

Roofing materials and related methods are provided. A roofing material comprises a first layer, and a second layer on the first layer. The first layer comprises a first thermoplastic polymer. The first layer has a first color. The second layer comprises a second thermoplastic polymer. The second layer has a second color. The second layer comprises a plurality of openings or a plurality of thermoplastic polymer pieces. The first layer is exposed through the second layer.

A method of making a laminated shingle is provided. The method includes coating a shingle mat with roofing asphalt to make an asphalt-coated sheet, adhering a reinforcement member to a portion of the asphalt-coated sheet, covering the asphalt-coated sheet, and optionally covering the reinforcement member, with granules to make a granule-covered sheet, dividing the granule-covered sheet into an overlay sheet and an underlay sheet, wherein the overlay sheet has a tab portion normally exposed on a roof and a headlap portion normally covered-up on a roof, the headlap portion having a lower zone adjacent the tab portion and an upper zone adjacent the lower zone, and wherein the reinforcement member is adhered to the lower zone of the headlap portion and laminating the overlay sheet and the underlay sheet to make the laminated shingle.

A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

A laminated composition shingle includes a first sheet having a first mineral granule surface and a first rectangular shape without tab cut-outs laminated with a second sheet having a second mineral granule surface. The second sheet has tab cut-outs along only one of the longer edges of the second sheet. An exposed portion of the laminated composition shingle that remains uncovered when the laminated composition shingle forms a roof covering has a width that is between 40% and 45% of an overall width of the laminated composition shingle. A width of the tab cut-outs is between 90% and 97% of the width of the exposed portion of the laminated composition shingle. All the tab cut-outs may have the same width. There may be visible marking on the shingle to indicate placement of the next course of shingles.