What You Need to Know About Asphalt Shingles

So, you find yourself in a position of likely needing a new roof.  You also know that most roofs use asphalt shingles.  It's what your current roof has.  Where do you start? 

Types/Grades of Asphalt Shingles

Not all asphalt shingles are created equal.  It will help you better know what you want/need if you know a little about each type/grade of asphalt shingle.  The three main types are:

1. 3-tab shingles — also referred to as three-tab shingles, or the "good" product.
2. Architectural shingles — also referred to as dimensional or laminate shingles, or the "better" product.
3. Luxury shingles — also referred to as premium shingles, or the "best" product.

While all three kinds of asphalt shingles are made of similar materials, they are not, again, created equal. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide which asphalt roofing shingles will meet your needs.

The 3-Tab Shingle

The 3-tab shingle is the most basic and least expensive shingle.  The 3-tab shingle is made of a base of either a cellulose material or fiberglass which is then covered with asphalt and topped a mineral granule layer. They are also the most lightweight of the shingles which means they may blow off your roof easier.  They are rated for up to 60 mph-70 mph wind uplift - which means that if you get winds higher than 60-70 mph, you 
may lose some shingles.

Most 3-tab shingles come with a limited warranty provided by the product manufacturer; 10 to 25 years limited warranty is the norm for 3-tab shingles.

You can easily recognize this style of shingles by its simple 3-tab pattern. They have a nice, uniform horizontal look.  There are some options as far as color is concerned, but it will still be the basic 3-tab look.  With the new shingle technology, 3-tab shingles are currently used more with low-cost housing or residential rental homes.

Architectural Shingles

Architectural, dimensional, or laminate shingles differ from the traditional 3-tab asphalt shingle look because the actual shingle tabs have various sizes and shapes. These various sizes and shapes give a more “dimensional” look that can actually make a shingle roof look more like a shake roof.

Architectural shingles are also thicker (they are layered) than the 3-tab shingles, which makes them heavier - sometimes up to 50% heavier than the 3-tab shingles, which also means they will have a longer life span than the 3-tab shingles.  Most architectural shingles have a minimum 30 year guarantee - manufacturer ratings range from 20 - 50 years of limited warranty.  Most architectural shingles are also rated for 110mph – 130mph wind uplift.

They will cost more upfront, but with the longer warranty it's not a bad trade-off. 

There are also Impact Resistant Shingles.  The biggest threat to an asphalt shingle roof - beyond long term exposure to the sun - is impact, and that mainly from hailstones. Shingles are made with varying degrees of resistance to cracking from impact. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standard UL 2218 governs the criteria for resistance to impact and shingles are rated on a scale from 1 to 4 with 4 being the most impact-resistant.

Living in our hail-prone area, it would seem that buying shingles with a class 4 impact rating would provide additional protection against cracking and failure of the shingle that can lead to leaks in the roof. There is also a possibility you may qualify for a home insurance discount by using these types of shingles.

For example, the Texas Department of Insurance provides discounts for hail-resistant roofing products, with the highest premium credit offered for Class 4 roofing.  (courtesy of home-style-choices.com).  

HOWEVER, these types of shingles will cost twice the amount as the regular shingles AND, with the size of hail we have been getting, they have not been able to withstand the hail stone damage.  For this reason, Lowry Roofing Co does not advise getting hail resistant shingles - with double the cost but not able to deliver - not worth it for our area.

Luxury Shingles

If you're going for the look, and money is not that much of a concern, luxury shingles are incredible.  They are designed to replicate natural cedar shake and slate roofs, but at a fraction of the cost.  They are also much easier to install.

However, luxury shingles are also heavier.  They are 3-ply thickness and can weigh twice as much as the 3-tab shingles.  That can be a problem for some houses and you may need to consult with a roofing expert or structural engineer to make sure your home's roof structure can handle the extra weight. 

Most premium shingles are rated for a wind uplift of up to 110mph.

One More Thing

Fiberglass-backed shingles have a Class A fire rating (the highest available) which is good if you live in fire-prone areas. 


When You're Ready For a New Roof

Call Lowry Roofing Co.  We are roofing professionals and we would be happy to come over, inspect your roof, and give you - either and estimate for repairs or a roof replacement.  No pressure (469) 412-4364.