Ready to re-roof your home? If you're wondering what type of shingles to use, today you'll learn the distinctions between asphalt and fiberglass. What's best? What's fastest? Which will last longer? One would assume asphalt is made of asphalt, and that fiberglass is made of — well — fiberglass. Not so. Asphalt shingles have a base of paper and wood pulp saturated with asphalt, while fiberglass shingles are a glass-fiber mat coated with asphalt. In both cases, the asphalt is surfaced with granules. Many people (even roofers) have a hard time telling them apart. Which is the best in terms of performance? Fiberglass was developed because hot weather made asphalt soft and thus easily damaged. Conversely, fiberglass shingles are coated (not saturated) and less prone to damage from heat. Still, asphalt is the roofer's choice in cold climates because fiberglass becomes brittle and can crack.