Three Tab Shingles Vs Architectural Shingles

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• I appreciate the informative comparison between three-tab and architectural shingles.

  Architectural shingles were developed in the 70’s for the high end home market. Home owner’s were looking for an asphalt shingle product that had the architectural appearance of cedar shingles while providing the performance of asphalt.

• Hi all,

  OK-- Here's the deal----Listen I've done a few roofs in my life.
  I've heard and looked at these so called architectual shingles.........They guaratee 30 years on the archetectual...it's thicker but only in some areas!....As far as ease of application?-huh--for me I did'nt see it........OK BOTTOM LINE...IS IT WORTH IT PAYING MORE AND GETTING THESE SHINGLES?????

  tHREE tAB SHINGLES--ARE GUARANTEED FOR 15--TO--25 YEARS..NICE NEAT STRAIGHT LINES.
  Do tarred shingles look like cedar shakes ?? ha,..ha..ha...

  I think the american has been taken for a ride and talked into something else they don't need....Tell me I'm wrong

  • Wayne - Thanks for sharing. Frankly I think Architectural look much nicer than 3 tab. I'm not so sure they last any longer and frankly the warranties are a bit mis-leading in my opinion.

  • Wayne. I question your roofing experiences. Arch shingles are much easier to install, they hide a lot of 'mistakes' and don't have to be perfectly aligned for a good appearance.

    3 cut tabs are not as sturdy as a solid shingle with laminated shake applied to it. There are less tabs/flaps to catch wind. This is why arch's have better wind resistance and 'better' durability. The higher end 50+ year shingles are absolutely thicker, some are triple layered.

    3 tabs are not 'guaranteed' to last 15-20 years, neither are Arch shingles. Arch's have a better warranty, but I am highly skeptical of any asphalt shingle consistently lasting more than 25 years. Manufacture warranty's are nearly worthless once you get beyond 5 years or so...if they cover anything at all, you get pennies on the dollar. 50year shingles may be better built, but I doubt many will see that full 50 year life. Installation quality, climate, and ventilation have the biggest impact on lifespan.

    3 tab shingles are almost dead in most parts of the US. Look around, that's pretty easy to determine. There is a usually a minimal price difference of $5-$8/square difference. Most will agree that arch's look better and is worth the extra $100-$200 for a more modern/newer looking roof. I can't tell you the last roof I've seen covered with 3 tabs.

    What were Americans talked into that they don't need? It's called evolution. Technology, experience, manufacturing standards, fashion, economics all dictate changes in any product category...that's the case if your talking shingles, automotive, or blue jeans.

    • Phil - Well said! 3 tabs are a thing of the past in my book.

    • Yeh, you're completely right! I've installed many of both kinds of shingles. The architectural shingles are so much easier to lay, you don't have to worry about lining up the "weep holes" and there are much less waste with them. They are a little harder to handle, but not so much that they aren't more desirable! The look is SO much better than the three tab. I ALWAYS try to use the architectural shingles, always recommend them to my customers.

  • Wayne,
    Just how many roof have you done? Architectual shingles are way easier to install and thicker. If your roof hase any flaws your three tabs will not hide it at all where your architectual shingle will help hid a good portion of it, I dont think that americans have been talked into anything they are spending a little extra money to have a higher quality shingle that looks and last longer.

  • I've been installing architectural shingles for years here in Nebraska. And may I say that all my customers have not regretted it nor complained. In fact, they all have insisted on it. These shingles have a 50 percent more wind rating as well as impact rating of class 4 which means that it is more durable to mother nature than three tab. Three tab have a max wind stability of 60mph compared to the architectural 110-130 mph. Three tab have no impact rating. Also, your home owners insurance provider will give you a 20 percent discount on your yearly premium with architectural shingles. 3 tab, junk. And they are only 5 bucks less per bundle. Compare before you judge. Especially if your deductible is high. Trust the difference and the facts.

  • Wayne -

    As someone that has worked in the professional sloped roofing industry for my entire career - initially as an installer, then supervisor, and eventually a division head and project manager... several things you state immediately strike a chord.

    For one, I'm not entirely sure that I've met many grown men that don't claim to have "done a few roofs in my day". For what it's worth, I mean no disrespect but speaking frankly I've brushed and flossed my teeth on a *daily basis* and yet I don't consider myself to be a qualified dentist.

    Amongst my current roles I oversee the sloped-roof maintenance and repair division at my company - and I can personally assure you that architectural/dimensional shingles experience far fewer wind damage and puncture issues than the vast majority of "comparable class" 3-tab shingles.

    It's a relative fact admittedly. Which is to say yes, I've seen very well-installed premium 3-tab shingles out-last poorly-installed or inferior-grade dimensional shingles. But given the same workmanship/installation, even a "low grade" dimensional shingle universally out-lasts and out-performs a comparable level 3-tab shingle.

    Aesthetics? Eye of the beholder. Aesthetics are a matter of opinion. The fact of the matter is that although not an exact facsimile, dimensional shingles do look a LOT more like cedar shakes than a 3-tab shingle. Would anyone confuse an asphalt dimensional shingle for real cedar shakes, slate, or ceramic tiles they mimic in appearance? Of course not. But nonetheless even the most discerning eye would begrudgingly admit that dimensional shingles look at lot more like cedar shakes (for instance) than 3-tab shingles.

    Dimensional shingles are, in fact, simpler to install. I say simpler (not "easier") intentionally. Again, that's relative, but the stepped-course installation of dimensionals is undebatably to lay out amongst other things and faster to install than a 3-tab shingle for anyone equally experienced in installing both types. Your initial statement about nice, clean lines is irrelevant - both types (as well as cedar, tile, slate, standing seam, etc/etc) have "nice clean straight lines" when properly installed.

    We install a lot of BOTH types and feel that, provided a quality installation, either type of shingle will serve nicely. But part of being a roofing professional (no offense) involves "what you're selling" - and simply put, the manufacturer's product warranties do in fact provide for a higher warrantable life expectancy and wind rating than a comparable-level 3-tab shingle. It's not by accident, they have to honor that - if they can't find a reason to wiggle out from a claim... not unlike homeowners insurance and so on regrettably. If the dimensional products (relatively) didn't hold up to those higher standards that would obviously be a losing proposition for the manufacturers.

    Am I poo-pooing 3-tab shingles? Absolutely not.

    I do feel that your broad stroke in labelling dimensional shingles as a "sales job" or "sucker bet" is deeply in err however.

    • Well said Nick!

• I live in the southwest area now and have a tile roof. However, when I lived in St Louis I had architectural shingles. I love the look, the weight, and the longer warranty.

• This conversation about 3 tabs and architectural shingles has been very helpful to me as I think I see a new roof in my future pretty soon. Looks-wise there's no comparison between the two--I like the three dimensional look of the architectural shingles. Thanks very much.

• I have been putting roofs on since 1984 and have put on my fair share of both types of shingles. When I bid a job I dont charge any more for installing architectural shingles becuase I can save the extra cost in the time saved to install.

  • That's right Ken, they are MUCH easier to install!! I LOVE them!

• It's tough to make up my mind as to metal or Architectural shingles. I have heard a lot of good about Arch type shingles. 3 Tab are probably out of the question, due to the fact that we are now encountering higher wind factors, like tornado's. Metal was a choice for me, but the price of concealed fastener systems is a bit to high. And exposed fastener systems, the screw down type are a bit of a worry, because of the screws themselves. It concerns me that the screws may cause leaking problems and walking on a metal roof may cause problems especially with slats to screw down the metal roof. I mean if you made a mistake and stepped on the part of the metal that didn't have a slat you might damage the metal itself. So, I am leaning toward Arch shingle roofing. Seems the best and you can walk on it without slipping off. Of course you only want to walk occasionally on any roof because to much walking can cause problems for any roof. I just wonder how hard it is to get the shingles on the roof since they are heavier than 3 tab.

  • Roofing Stretcher,
    I think that the bundles of shingles are about the same weight, whether 3-tab or Dimensional. 3-tab shingles are 3 bundles to a square while 40 and some 50 year Dimensional shingles are 4 to a square. Some 50 year dimensional shingles are 5 to a square.

• I,ve done some roofing in my life time,an there is not much differ in arch or 3 tab all it comes down to is how solid its nailed downed.arch is just pretty to look at and cost more,its the work ya put into it that counts.

• im tired of seeing arch shingles. they are on every new house here in ontario canada. kind of like granite counter tops in the kitchen. im not even in the roofing business and I can drive by a house and say "oh thats the hunter green shingle by certainteed". They look predictible and trendy to me. 3 tab is more classic and I bet we eventually move back to those, just a higher quality version of it.

  • I agree that Arch are all over the place and almost passe now. I put 3 tab on my home in Atlanta 7 years ago and still looking good to my eye and I think will come back, nobody wants to be like everyone else.

    As aside, this happened with Granite and esp because it was pushed by the RE industry. What they did not tell you is that Granite is a source of interior Radon in the home and that virtually all slabs have some Radon and if you have it in your home, you have Radon. Probably not a lot to worry and esp since you dont "live in the kitchen", but guaranteed nobody measured when you installed it. Just sayin'.

    • Rob.....3 tabs are dying a slow death and likely won't be around much longer. And the granite....lol....there's simply not enough granite in anyone's house to off gas sufficient radon to even measure :)

• I am 53 years of age and live in Ohio. I am getting ready to re-roof with a complete tear-off. A good friend, who has several income properties, suggests a 3-tab shingle because down the line I will be able to roof over it. I guess my question is, what is the realistic life span of both the 3 tab and an architectural, all warranties aside? Even though I prefer the aesthetics of a dimensional roof, I'm trying to figure out just how soon will I actually need to re-roof with an GAF Timberline archetectural because I will be facing another tear-off at that time. Regarding prices, the 25 year 3 tab is about $10.00 per square less than the dimensional and the 30-year 3 tab (which needs to be special ordered)is darn near the same price as the architectural.

  • Lisa - I'm not a huge fan of 3 tab shingles. Today's good quality architectural shingles can last 25 years or more. While it is possible to re-roof over architectural shingles it's not something I recommend. The roof ends up looking very bumpy and poor quality. However, it's been my experience that architectural shingles last longer than 3 tab and they certainly look much better.

    I would investigate more options on the architecturals as many now have even longer warranties. 3 tab shingles really shouldn't be that close in cost to architectural shingles in my opinion.

    • Thanks so much, Todd! Have a couple of more questions for you, if it's OK. 1) In your opinion do you think that the
      'Lifetime warranty' that all the manufacturers are offering now, ends up not having much value down the line? 2) Also, how effective do you think that zinc strips are at keeping mildew off of the shingles? Seems like the algae resistant shingles only provide a 10 year warranty. The roof I'll be doing is black and my understanding is that the strips are silver. 3) Also, in your experience, is there one manufacturer you favor over another for their willingness to solve warranty issues? For example, someone told me that one manufacturer seems to work better with you on color fading than another, but I forget which. 4) I have a carport with lower than a 3-12 pitch.(can send a picture if you forward your email) The roofing salesman suggests either a 2-step modified roofing product, with a 10 year warranty, (2 squares per roll) or a 3 step process with a 13-year warranty and 1 square per roll. Do you think if the contractor ice and water guards the whole area and puts down the 10-year warranty product down, I'd be in for less money overall and get the same duration out of it? Last... 6) What ridge vent product do you favor? I understand they've come out with some new ones. Thanks so much! - Lisa

      • You've got quite a list of questions. Let me give you a few pointers as best I can.

        1. Check out http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/asphalt-roof-shingle-warranty/
        You probably already know that shingle warranties are not super great. I prefer to select a shingle based on the roofers experience. Find a really good roofer, someone with a really good reputation, then pick a shingle based on his recommendation. Ask for a good, better best list.

        2. I think the zinc strip is a detail that architects spec and seldom get's used anymore. I'd stick with a good shingle that works well defending that sort of things. Again rely on a local roofer.

        3. I've had good luck with two shingle manufacturers, CertainTeed and IKO.

        4. I'd follow the manufacturers recommendations to the letter. Low slope roofs are a royal pain, pick a product made for it. Don't try to save 4 or 5% it's just not worth it.

        5. I prefer rigid roof vents. I'm not a fan of the "brillo pad" types as they crush and hardly work very well.

• Whereas with "Architectural" shingles you get something that looks "bumpy and poor quality" even when it's brand new. Admittedly this is great if you're building a haunted house and want to give it a nice decrepit look while still having a roof that won't actually leak, but outside that niche application I can't see the appeal.

  • I think quite the opposite. It gives you a roof with far more architectural texture similar to older homes that used shakes and slate. The beauty though is everyone can make their own personal choice.