What’s the Most Common Type of Roofing Material in Nashville, TN?

Is it time to replace your roof in Nashville, TN? Are you having trouble deciding which roofing material is right for you?  

With the investment a new roof requires, you need to be confident in your decision. The best place to start is with the roofing material we and other roofers install the most in Nashville, TN. 

Bill Ragan Roofing has been replacing roofs in Nashville and surrounding Middle TN areas for over 30 years. We always provide transparent information so our customers can make the right decisions on their own. 

I want to put this knowledge out there to help even more homeowners, whether they’re customers or not. So, let’s break down the most common type of roofing material in Nashville, TN. 

By the end of this article, you’ll learn:

• What’s the most common type of roofing material in Nashville, TN?
• 5 things to consider when choosing the one in Nashville, TN

What’s the most common type of roofing material in Nashville, TN?

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in Nashville, TN (and the entire United States). Their popularity is simply because they’re the most cost-effective compared to other materials.

However, there are three types of asphalt shingles (3-tab, architectural, and luxury) that vary in quality and come with their own pros and cons. Let’s look at the differences so you can get an idea of which one is right for you.

3-tab asphalt shingles

3-tab asphalt shingles lay completely flat when installed and get their name for the 3 tabs on each shingle strip. They were the dominant shingles in the residential roofing industry until technology improved to create architectural asphalt shingles.

Cost: ≈$4.00 per square foot

Lifespan: 20 years at most in Nashville, TN

Material warranty: 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer

3-tab asphalt shingle pros:

• Cheapest roofing material on the market
• Ease of repair and installation

3-tab asphalt shingle cons:

• Shortest lifespan
• Being phased out of the roofing industry
• Hard to color matches for repairs and insurance
• Needs yearly maintenance
• Low curb appeal
• Prone to wind damage

Architectural asphalt shingles

Architectural (also called dimensional) shingles provide a random pattern that gives a roof dimension, and some simulate the look of a wood-shake roof. They are the most commonly used roofing material in Nashville and around the country today.

Cost: ≈$5.86 per square foot

Lifespan: 22-25 years in Nashville, TN

Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.

Architectural asphalt shingle pros:

• Affordability
• Ease of repair and installation
• Readily available materials and colors

Architectural asphalt shingle cons:

• Low curb appeal compared to other materials
• Needs yearly maintenance
• Prone to hail damage

Luxury asphalt shingles

Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are the premium line of asphalt shingles designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, more durable, and offer the highest curb appeal, but they are also the most expensive.

Cost: ≈$8.00 per square foot

Lifespan: 30 years or longer (up to 40-50 years) in Nashville, TN

Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.

Luxury asphalt shingle pros:

• Durability
• Longevity
• High curb appeal
• Stands up well to storm damage

Luxury asphalt shingle cons:

• Expensive
• Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
• Needs yearly maintenance

5 things to consider when choosing the right asphalt shingle in Nashville, TN

At this point, you have the main details needed to determine which shingle is right for you. However, it’s hard to make the best decision without considering the right things. 

So, let’s look at the things you need to consider about your needs, situation, and our area to narrow down which one is right for you. 

1. The look you want for your Nashville, TN, home

While it may seem trivial to some, you need to consider the look of the asphalt shingles and how important your home’s curb appeal is to you. If you don’t care about the look at all, 3-tab asphalt shingles have the lowest curb appeal. 

Just keep in mind that many color options are becoming scarce, and some areas may not even stock them anymore. While they have a lower curb appeal than other roofing materials, architectural shingles have a higher curb appeal than 3-tab and offer plenty of color options.  

They still give your home a great look, but their popularity means your home won’t really stand out from your neighbors. If you really want to boost your home’s curb appeal, the slate look of luxury asphalt shingles is the way to go. 

At the end of the day, all three types make for good-looking roofs if they’re installed properly. However, architectural or luxury asphalt shingles are the best options if your home’s curb appeal is important to you.

2. The weather in Nashville, TN

The Nashville and Middle Tennessee areas aren’t strangers to severe storms. So, you need to consider how each shingle stands up to the severe weather we see from time to time. 

If we have a wind or hail storm, I can guarantee most of the roofs we go on will be 3-tab. They are simply more prone to be torn off and damaged. 

Architectural shingles can still get damaged by hail, but their wind resistance is significantly better. For example, CertainTeed’s Landmark architectural shingle is made to withstand 110-mph winds, while the XT 25 3-tab shingle is only made to withstand 60-mph winds. 

It only takes one storm to cause damage, so architectural shingles are definitely better than 3-tab for Nashville, TN. On the other hand, luxury shingles can withstand the same wind speeds as architectural shingles. 

However, their thickness makes it harder for wind to lift them and gives them a higher Impact Resistance Rating to withstand hail damage. 

3. How important material warranties are to your investment

Each asphalt shingle comes out of the package with a standard material warranty from the manufacturer. However, you need to consider how important getting a material warranty with long-term protection is to you.

The only protection you get on 3-tab asphalt shingles is a 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer. Architectural and luxury asphalt shingles have a 30-year prorated warranty, which isn’t much of a difference.  

But unlike 3-tab shingles, they both have the opportunity to get a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty. To get an enhanced warranty, the asphalt roofing components (including the asphalt shingles) must come from a single manufacturer to form a complete roof system and be installed by a certified roofer.

After installation, this warranty ensures the manufacturer covers all of your roofing materials for the life of your roof. The manufacturer will even cover a roofer’s workmanship if you hire one with the highest level of certifications. 

So, architectural and luxury asphalt shingles are definitely the way to go if warranties and long-term protection are important. 

4. How long you want your roof to last

Other than the increase in home value, an asphalt shingle roof’s lifespan is the main form of ROI. So, it’s crucial to consider how long you want your roof to last after it’s installed. 

3-tab shingles have the shortest lifespan and should last 15 to 20 years at most in Nashville, TN. While architectural asphalt shingles have a stated lifespan of 30 years, they’ll realistically last around 22 to 25 years in Nashville, TN.

Luxury asphalt shingles have no problem lasting 30 years in Nashville, TN. With the conditions in our area, it’s even possible to get 40 to 50 years. 

Keep in mind that these lifespans are counting on the roof being properly installed and having the right amount of attic ventilation. 

5. Your roof replacement budget

The biggest thing you need to consider is the budget you set for your roof replacement. Pricing is almost always the number one decision-making factor, which makes budget the biggest factor when choosing an asphalt shingle.

If you’re looking for the cheapest option, you won’t find anything cheaper than 3-tab shingles. However, they’re becoming less available in Nashville, TN, due to manufacturers and suppliers phasing them out of the industry. 

Architectural asphalt shingles are the most affordable quality roofing material for most budgets in Nashville and around the United States. However, they are 20% to 30% more expensive than 3-tab shingles. 

Luxury asphalt shingles are by far the most expensive option. They’re almost double the cost of architectural asphalt shingles but are more durable, have a longer lifespan, and offer incredibly high curb appeal.

If your budget isn’t a concern, luxury asphalt shingles are a great option. Just know an asphalt roof will be a sizable investment, no matter which shingle you choose. 

What else do you need to know before replacing your roof in Nashville, TN?

After reading this article, you should have an idea of which asphalt shingle roof is right for you. As long as you keep the 5 considerations in mind, I have no doubt you’ll make the best decision. 

But choosing the right shingle or roofing material is just one thing you need to know before replacing your roof in Nashville, TN. After all, you’re about to make a big investment. 

So, it’s absolutely crucial to go into the process with as much information as possible. That’s why I wrote another article about the things every homeowner in Nashville and Middle Tennessee needs to know before a roof replacement. 

Check out 7 Things to Know Before Replacing Your Roof in Nashville, TN, for the crucial information you need when replacing your roof in our area.

If you're ready to start the roof replacement process, Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free roof inspection.