subsequent installation in the case of bur roofing however coating or mopping of the mat with a hot surface coating of asphalt is generally delayed until a course of sheeting is installed on the roof the asphalt employed for coating may additionally contain an antifungal antibacterial uv inhibitor and or coloring agent at the option user the roof covering herein disclosed is a product of conventional weight and somewhat increased flexibility which meets and exceeds the requirements of astm d 3462 testing the significantly improved tear strength of the present product results in savings in packaging and transportation of the product as well as durability of the product when installed having thus generally described the invention reference is now had to the following examples which illustrate particular and preferred embodiments but which are not to be construed as limiting to the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims testing tear strength of 3 u00d7 2 5 inch samples of shingles employing glass fiber mats with urea formaldehyde uf modified binder tear test d 1922 as referenced in astm d 3462 jul 10 1997 version was used to determine the tear strength of various glass fiber mats coated on both sides with a 25 mil coating of asphalt conventionally used in roofing materials in summary the test measures the force in grams required to tear apart the coated mat specimen using a pendulum device acting by gravity the pendulum swings through an.