Are you considering installing shingle roofs on or around your home? If so, there are several differences between architectural vs. 3-tab roof shingling. You’ll want to know the difference before you make your final decision. Here’s a rundown of some of the key differences between these two types of shingles.
The first difference between architectural vs. 3-tab shingles is the color options available. In general, architectural shingled can cost up to 25% more than 3-tab shingles, but they’re considered the minimum for high end homes. They’re also made up of less metal, perforations can be left or right without compromising safety and their layers of asphalt shingle do not have as many holes in them. This may pose a difficulty if your home isn’t structurally adequate for this load.
Architectural shingles have been around longer and have withstood a lot more testing than 3-tab shingles. They were tested for their ability to hold up to extreme temperatures and held up to intense beating from hurricanes. Modern roofers are able to handle these conditions with ease. In contrast, 3-tab shingles weren’t made to handle extreme temperatures or heavy beating and have often been damaged by hail storms or even worse.
Architectural shingles are also usually lower tech compared to 3-tab shingles. They don’t need to have nails in them which increases the chance for collapse. Additionally, these shingles are made of a material that is slightly crumbly. It may be crumbly to some but others won’t mind because it makes the final appearance of your roof look neat and professional. If you want the appearance of architectural shingles, then you may not be interested in using modern day asphalt shingles. You can opt for an older style of architectural shingle, which would be a bit heavier weight and require nails for installation.
It doesn’t have to take a professional architect to come up with traditional shingles either. If you have old buildings sitting around, then these can be used as well. Look for companies that are experienced in building traditional shingles and ask them about costs for the work. This may be more expensive than the cheaper asphalt ones but the benefits in terms of durability and appearance make up for the extra expense. It really all depends on your budget as to which roofers are most qualified to make the necessary repairs.
If you are looking at installing new roofs on commercial or residential property, then you need to know that using older 3-tab shingles will cost more in the long run than the newer hybrid laminated shingles. The reason being is that older shingles are much weaker and will not stand up to the tougher competition from the laminated type. It may take you a couple of years of paying extra for the maintenance, but it’s a small price to pay when you consider the look and longevity of the product. There is also the option to get just the tabs replaced but this will still end up being less expensive than replacing all the shingles from one roof.
This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier Largo Roofing Contractor! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978. Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.