Types of Roofing Shingles installed by Martino Home Improvements
Martino Home Improvements typically installs three types of roofing shingles on homes – three-tab shingles, architectural shingles and designer architectural shingles. All three shingle types offer distinct advantages, and deciding on any one style of shingle depends on the house as well as the homeowner’s goal. Here we offer you a brief overview of each type, as well as a comparison of the three.
Michigan Three-Tab Roofing Shingle
Typical dimensions for a three-tab shingle.
Three-tab shingles used to be the most common type of roofing shingles and are often used for residential applications. Considered the “economy” shingle, they generally last about 15 to 20 years and offer moderate wind resistance (typically up to 60mph). The shingle has three quarter-inch notches cut at 12″ lengths along the visible lower half of the shingle, giving the impression of 3 distinct shingles per sheet when installed. Typical weight of three-tab shingles is generally around 180-240 pounds per square.
A three-tab shingle roof. While colors of the shingles may vary to produce a textured effect, the shingles themselves have a uniform shape and texture.
Three-tab roof shingles come in a wide variety of colors. The look of the shingle is flat and uniform. Martino Home Improvements carries and installs many of the best brands including Certainteed, Tamko, and Owens Corning.
Michigan Architectural (Dimensional) Shingles
Dimensions of a typical architectural shingle. The shingle is double-layered to give the effect of stacked wood shingles.
Architectural roofing shingles (also referred to as dimensional shingles) are a relatively new option in residential roofing. The average weight of architectural shingles runs between 200 and 300 pounds per square.
Architectural shingles by Owens Corning are designed to mimic the appearance of wood shingles.
Architectural shingles provide significantly better wind protection than three-tab shingles, and are generally installed with a warranty of 30 years or more. The appearance of architectural shingles is more refined than that of the three-tab shingles.
Oakland, Macomb And Wayne County Designer Architectural Shingles
A designer architectural shingle from Certainteed's Luxury line - Centennial Slate in Venetian Red.
At the top of the shingle line, you’ll find the designer architectural shingle. With advances in technology, these shingles have been developed to offer a look that mimics slate, wood shake, metals, and other “classic” roofing materials – while also providing superior protection. These shingles are significantly heavier than standard asphalt roofing shingles, weighing in at 340-480 pounds per square. Because of their weight, designer architectural shingles require a thicker roofing deck and, in some cases, roof reinforcement.
A high-end designer architectural shingle by Certainteed - Landmark Series TL (Triple Laminate) Impact Resistant in Max Def Burnt Sienna
Designer architectural shingles give a distinct appearance to any home, and are commonly used on historic homes and buildings where maintaining a historically accurate look is desired. While the price of designer shingles is the highest per square in the residential roofing market, these premium shingles more than make up for it in length of life, protection and appearance.
Comparison: Three-tab Shingles vs. Architectural and Designer Architectural Shingles
Two offerings from Certainteed: On the left is the XT30 (Extra Tough 30-Year) three-tab in Autom Brown. On the right, Presidential Shake TL (Triple Laminate) designer architectural shingle in Aged Bark.
Many factors dictate what type of shingle is best for your roof. This comparison of the three most common types of shingles should help with your decision.
Michigan Replacement Roofing Costs And Shingle Price
Replacing a roof can be an expensive investment, but it is just that – an investment in your home. In terms of protection, there aren’t many other parts of your home that are as important as your roof, so saving money in the short term might end up costing you in the long run.
As a rule, three-tab shingles are roughly 20%-30% cheaper per bundle than architectural shingles, and designer architectural shingles are abou 20%-30% more. In many cases, more architectural shingles are required than three-tab shingles for the same area, so the price difference can be as wide as 40% for the shingles alone. Additionally, three-tab shingles are generally easier to install, so labor may also be less than with the architectural shingles, although this isn’t always the case.
On the other hand, three-tab shingles are significantly thinner and lighter than their designer counterparts, and therefore offer less protection against the elements. For homeowners living in areas with any kind of significant weather, these cheaper shingles can actually become a liability – and an expensive one at that.
Time And Effort To Install
A typical shingle install on a residential roof. Photo courtesy of Certainteed ™
It’s tough to draw a line between three-tab and architectural shingles when it comes to installation time and effort. The method for installing both is the same – for the most part. The three-tabs are almost always installed the same way. Some designer architectural shingles require additional skill in order to maintain correct pattern alignment, but this shouldn’t make much of a difference for a roofer with even minimal prior experience installing them. In fact, more and more roofers prefer installing the sturdier architectural and designer architectural shingles as the material tends to be manufactured more consistantly and is therefore easier to work with.
Color and Appearance
Above: An example of colors available for three-tab shingles. Below: Several colors and styles of architectural and designer shingles.
The architectural shingles win this category hands down. While also known for their superior protection, the architectural and designer architectural shingles first hit the market primarily as an alternative to the drab, flat three-tabbers that dominated the market for most of the 20th century. Available in a variety of styles and colors, the architectural shingles are a great way to restore the original look of an old home. Three-tab shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, but do not vary much in texture and don’t deviate at all in shape or size.
Protection
Shingles are responsible for protecting your home from rain, wind, hail, fire, and extreme temperatures. In every category, the architectural shingle and designer architectural shingle take it. Beginning with a heavier mat base than standard asphalt shingles, both the architectural shingles and designer architectural shingles are often made up of multiple layers laminated together. There is also no 1/4″ notch, which prevents curling and blow-off, and the weight of both shingles is anywhere from 75% to 200% heavier than that of the three-tab.
Warranty
The warranties for any roof system reflect the estimated lifespan of the roof. Three-tab shingle roof systems generally offer warranties anywhere from 15 to 30 years, depending on the particular shingle. Architectural and designer architectural shingles generally last 40 years, and warranties for these shingles run anywhere from 30 to 50 years.
A note about warranties: While a warranty is always important, another important indicator of whether a shingle will comply with modern building codes and hold up as expected is its UL or ASTM rating. Roof shingles that are certified for UL (ASTM) D-3462 (Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules) or ASTM D-225 (Asphalt Shingles Made from Organic Felt Surfaced with Mineral Granules) are the ones to go for.
