Architectural shingles vs. 3-tab: What’s best for your new roof?
Asphalt shingles are perhaps the best-selling material for a new roof. If you are investigating a new roof for your Oxford or Webster home, you will find that asphalt shingles fall into two basic categories: 3-tab and architectural shingles. To help you decide which version is best for your Worcester area home (and your wallet), LJ Construction offers this review of each type’s characteristics.
Construction
To begin, 3-tab shingles consist of a single layer of asphalt with slits in the bottom end to create the appearance of three shingles (hence, “3-tab”); architectural shingles are made up of multiple overlapping layers, with more of a textured appearance.
Durability
Architectural shingles typically come with warranties of 40-50 years, as they are made up of thicker materials. (LJ Roofing’s trusted suppliers, such as GAF and CertainTeed, even offer products with a limited lifetime warranty for your new roof.) 3-tab shingles, meanwhile, typically offer only 20-30 year warranties.
Looks
Until a few decades ago, 3-tab shingles were often the only game in town and worked well for generations of Worcester area homes. Architectural shingles, however, with their layered, textured appearance, offer a more distinctive look for your Sutton or Douglas home. Remember that both types come in a range of colors and textures. (See the GAF and Certainteed web sites for more information.)
Cost
Architectural shingles do cost more than 3-tab. If the budget is tight for your new roof installation, talk to your roofer about specific price differences for these two products.
In short, if cost matters for your project, 3-tab might be a good option. Otherwise, architectural shingles offer advantages in durability and appearance. Contact Dudley, MA-based LJ Construction today for a free estimate on asphalt shingle prices for your new roof project.
