The two most common types of asphalt shingle roofing is three-tab shingles and architectural shingle roofing. Below is a breakdown of each.
Architectural shingle roofing
- One of architectural shingles’ biggest appeals is that they come in various shapes and sizes, so there is not a uniform or standard look.
- They have a guarantee of at least 30 years.
- Can easily mimic the look of more premium roofing alternatives like cedar or slate, at a fraction of the cost.
- More durable than three-tab shingle roofing because of its thickness. This also makes it less likely to curl.
- The thickness also makes it heavier, which must be taken into consideration in terms of whether the home’s structure can manage the weight.
- Architectural shingles is the more expensive of the two, but your investment will last longer.
Three-tab shingle roofing
- While architectural shingles offer variety, three-tab shingles only come in one size and shape.
- Three-tab shingles present a really affordable roofing option, and is the less expensive option of the two.
- They don’t fair very well in terms of durability, especially because they are much less thicker than architectural shingles, so will likely have to be repaired or replaced often.
- Since they are made of less material, three-tab shingles are more lightweight, which could be a necessity for certain home structures that can’t bear heavy roof weight.
