Architectural Shingles Or 3-Tab Shingles, Which Should You Choose?

roofing shingles

Because of their reduced cost and simple installation Asphalt shingles are a roof covering staple in North America. Currently they outpace all other roof covering materials by a considerable margin. Asphalt shingles are manufactured in 2 different kinds: three-tab and architectural.

Three-tab and Architectural Shingles Differences

Three-tab shingles are distinguished by cutouts– tabs– made along their long lower edge. This creates the illusion that “each tile looks like three separate items when installed, yet it’s just one.” Three-tab tiles have been around a long period of time and are still one of the most economical and popular tiles today, given their ease of setup and large range of colors.  However, during the 1980s, technical developments as well as changing consumer tastes took asphalt roof tiles to an entire brand-new degree, leading to building laminated shingles. The term “laminated” means that the tile’s construction consists of 2 or even more fundamental tiles laminated or bonded with each other.

Both laminated roof shingles as well as conventional 3-tab shingles offer efficient defense against wind. They likewise, defend against damaging water infiltration from wind-driven rainfall, offering you improved defense against the elements. In the roof market, laminated shingles tiles are more often described as being “architectural” because they’re specifically engineered to offer dimension to the roof covering by way of each individual roof shingles’ shape, cut and thickness. Therefore, the movement towards 3-tabs to architectural laminated tiles was basically for aesthetic purposes.

Architectural asphalt roof shingles can be made to mimic the remarkable, popular look of authentic cedar or all-natural slate ceramic tiles without the setup, weight, maintenance and flammability fears. In addition, some suppliers’ lines of architectural laminated tiles are readily available in a range of colors. Nonetheless, those lines that are developed to simulate the look of authentic timber shakes or natural slate ceramic tiles will always be limited to the very same color blends as those located in nature; e.g., natural or reddish browns, light as well as dark variants of grey to black.

Architectural laminated shingles are frequently called “high-definition” because of the depth and contour of each shingle. Some manufacturers utilize angled cuts while others make use of a straight cut which boosts the perception of depth as well as the appearance of a shake or tile roof covering. Although the difference between three-tab and architectural shingles seems superficial, roofers consider the latter a much more premium roof covering product because of price difference. Architectural shingles can set you back 20% to 40% percent more than three-tab roof shingles– a difference that can add up to $1500 more for larger roof coverings.

So are architectural roof shingles truly worth the added price? Some roofers say yes and here’s why:

Aesthetic Appeal

Architectural shingles can be made to resemble premium roof covering materials like cedar and also slate and are much better able to conceal flaws on the roof covering surface area.

Longevity

Architectural shingles are almost two times as thick as three-tab roof shingles and therefore extra sturdy and less susceptible to crinkling.

Weight and wind resistance

Three-tab tiles normally rate at 240 lbs per square and are ranked for wind acceleration to 60 miles per hour; architectural tiles rate at 340-440 lbs per square but are ranked for wind durability 80-120 mph.

Producer’s service warranties

25 years for three-tab, 40 to 50 years for architectural.

So is more affordable better? The response will certainly depend upon how you look at it. Three-tab roof shingles are cheaper upfront, but over the course of your roofing’s lifetime, Architectural roof shingles can cost less.

When choosing a roof always keep in mind that the main purpose of any roof covering is to shield your household, your home and its valuable materials from any types of weather conditions. Your decision, therefore, should be based on the environment you live in as well as the architectural style of your home. How much time you reside in your house and what the neighboring houses look like should also be considered and last but not least, your budget.

Warning Signs That Indicate You May Need A New Roof

Roofing_Worker

Is it time to repair or replace your old roofing? Look out for these warning signals so that you know when it’s time to call a roofing contractor.

Many property owners figure they require a brand-new roofing system after they find even a small leak in their ceiling. This leakage could be as a result of various roof covering problems. But what factors truly identify whether roof repair work will resolve the trouble, or your house needs a roof replacement?

It’s important to remember to get quotes from at least 3 pros! You should always look for a roofer who has good reviews and some manufacturers certifications like this company in Lancaster Pa.  You can see their GAF Certification right on their website like this lancaster pa roofing company: https://lancasterroofingmasters.com/

Below are some suggestions to help you figure out if you need a new roof.

  1. Roofing age

Just how old is your existing asphalt shingle roof? Many specialists agree that a normal roof will certainly last between 20-25 years. You must also take into consideration on whether the old roofing system was eliminated and you only have one layer of shingles, and if it is properly aerated. If the roofing was installed over one layer or a number of layers and it is older than twenty years, chances are you require a brand-new roof covering.

  1. Shingles curling and/or visibly distorting

Roof shingles that are curled or buckling are another sign that you may need a new roof. Check out the sides of your residence that get straight sunlight and look to see if the roof shingles are crinkling or losing granules as well. It could indicate that the shingles are past their life span. It could also mean that the roof covering is defective.  In this case, contact a certified professional roofer to see if you could be eligible for reimbursement.

  1. Contours (valleys and peaks) in your roof

If your roofing tiles are falling apart or missing in areas, it’s a certain sign you require a brand-new roofing system. Valley locations of your roofing system can cause rain and snow to circulate through valleys and into rain gutters. If the valley is endangered, you could be prone to roofing system leakages.

  1. Missing shinglesmissing shingles on roof

These are an additional indicator your roof covering could be failing. Examine to see if all of the roof shingles “tabs” are intact.

  1. Chimney flashing issues

This is an additional area to be worried about. If your chimney has an undercoat of tar or concrete as the seal between the roof and the brick or stone and morter, it may have to be replaced replaced with a long-term, water-tight metal flashing system.

  1. Shingle granules in the gutters.

Look in your seamless gutters to see whether they are loaded up with shingle granules. Roofs often tend to lose more granules toward completion of their life process. Variation in color on some parts of the roof is another sign the granules have actually deteriorated.

  1. Daylight showing through the roofing.

If you notice a squishy feeling or trampoline bounce when walking on the roofing system, this may imply the underlying outdoor decking is compromised from wetness. Inspect your attic room to see if there is any type of daylight coming through the roofing system boards. Also check for moisture in the insulation.

Welcome to Roofing Done Right!

roofing done right

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to visit our blog.  We have a network of roofing professionals who are willing to help you understand how your roofing system works, what you need to do to fix it and how to find the right contractor if you decide to hire one. Our focus is on helping homeowners but much of our content will benefit even the most seasoned pros as the industry continues to change and progress with new, more efficient tools and better, longer-lasting products.

Although we will concentrate on roofing, some of our contributors are experts in various home repair and construction projects. We will tap their knowledge to help you with how-to articles about everything from patching damaged drywall to fixing a leaking faucet. Please come back often as we will continue to post articles on a regular basis. Any one of them might be the solution your were looking for and it could save you thousands of dollars.