When you decide on asphalt shingles on your home, you still need to pick between three-tab and architectural shingles. Which one you choose depends on your needs and budget.
Both types of shingle look essentially the same once installed. Before installation, you can observe the three tabs separately, while architectural shingles feature a single tab. Some architectural shingles mock the appearance of metal roofing or cedar shakes, but the majority of the designs look like typical asphalt shingles. If you handle both, it becomes obvious that architectural shingles offer a thicker design.
Architectural shingles prove much more durable than three-tab shingles. Three-tab shingles consist of a single layer while Architectural shingles consist of a double layer. Manufacturers design the heartier type of shingle, architectural, to withstand winds of up to 120 mph, but three-tab shingles can only handle winds up to 60 mph.
Architectural shingles last longer than three-tab shingles. The life of architectural shingles lasts about 20-30 years, while three-tab shingles last about 15 years.
While both types of roofing material contain asphalt, three-tab shingles consist only of that substance. Although architectural shingles contain asphalt, they also contain minerals and fiberglass.
Three-tab shingles offer those on a budget a great-looking roof for less. They typically cost between $1 and $2 per square foot. Expect to spend about four times that amount on architectural shingles, which cost between $4 and $8 per square foot.
Ease of installation affects the speed of installation, so if you want a new roof fast, three-tab shingles take much less time to install. Three-tab shingles come in strips of three, a design aspect that makes them quicker to lay out and nail down. The bulkier architectural shingles come in singles, which require greater time to lay out and nail down.
Most three-tab shingles come with a limited 25-year warranty. These warranties usually cover manufacturer defects, plus algae, fires, and wind damage up to 60 to 70 mph. Typically, architectural shingles come with a lifetime warranty that features coverage for damage from algae, wind, and fire.
Which shingle you choose to top your house depends on where you live and your budget. Areas with a climate that features strong winds, such as California’s Santa Ana winds or tornado-prone Oklahoma, should opt for the stronger architectural shingles. Areas with little wind can choose the more affordable three-tab option.
Both shingle types offer color choices, but architectural shingles provide greater color options and a variety of designs. If you want the look of cedar shakes in a more affordable format, architectural shingles provide it.
Whether you choose three-tab or architectural shingles, contact Grace Mountain Renovations when you want to build or renovate your home. We also handle roofing repairs, so if your roof undergoes a damaging event, you can have it repaired by the same company that installed it. Let us help you revitalize your home.
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