Architectural Shingles VS 3-Tab Shingles

  When choosing the right roofing material for your home or business, it can be overwhelming and confusing. There are many different types of shingles, and they each have their own pros and cons. Fortunately, today there are many different colors and styles of shingles to improve the curb appeal of your home or business. 

     Architectural shingles are one of the most popular choices for shingle roofing today. They give your home a dimensional look, which can be very attractive. CertainTeed, a widely known shingle manufacturer, explains how architectural shingles are made: "Traditionally, they are composed of a heavy fiberglass mat-base and ceramic-coated mineral granules that are tightly embedded in carefully refined, water-resistant asphalt." The cool thing about these shingles is that they can be made to look like wood shake shingles or slate, without the added weight to your roof supports. The tabs on architectural shingles vary in width and shades of color to provide a more dimensional look, think 3-D versus 2-D. These shingles tend to be a bit more expensive, but they also come with a longer warranty, minimum of 30 years. Architectural shingles tend to cost $250-$300 per square (100 sq ft). They also have an excellent wind rating of being able to withstand winds of up to 130 mph. By choosing these shingles, you will pay more, but they are more durable and better looking.

      3-Tab shingles have been used for a very long time. They provide more of a flat look due to all of the shingles being the same exact size and shape. This is more of the 2-D look I mentioned before. The unfortunate thing about these shingles is that if the roof decking underneath them is not properly installed, it will show, because these shingles are so flat. 3-Tab shingles come in 25 yr and 30yr varieties, but they usually last only 15-18 years. They usually cost $200- $250 per square (100 sq ft). They also have a low wind rating of only being able to withstand winds of up to 60 mph. There is nothing wrong with choosing 3-Tab shingles. They have been a commonly used shingle for decades.

     All in all, choosing a type of shingle for your home or business depends on what you desire for your roof. A lot of rental properties, as well as commercial businesses, use 3-Tab shingles due to them being cost efficient. Perhaps, if you are planning on upgrading your home to put on the market, architectural shingles may earn you a few more dollars on the sell price because of the curb appeal.