Do you need a new asphalt shingle roof? Are you trying to decide which asphalt shingle is right for your budget and situation?
The asphalt shingle you pick impacts every part of your upcoming roof replacement. They’ll determine pricing, lifespan, warranties, and more.
So, choosing one is a huge decision. But how do you ensure you make the right one?
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has given homeowners the power to make confident roofing decisions through transparent information. Now, I’ll give you the information you need to pick your asphalt shingle.
First, I’ll break down the three types of shingles, including their pros and cons. After that, you’ll learn the questions to consider and the information you need to answer them yourself.
There are three types of asphalt shingles for you to choose from. So, the first step to picking the right one is to know what they are and their differences.
Let's break down the basic information about each asphalt shingle, plus their pros and cons.
3-tab asphalt shingles get their name for the three tabs on each shingle strip that lay completely flat when installed. They dominated residential roofing until technology improved to create architectural asphalt shingles.
In recent years, the production of 3-tab shingles has slowed because they are phasing out of the roofing industry.
Architectural asphalt shingles (also called dimensional) have a multilayered pattern on each strip to provide texture and dimension, with some simulating the look of a wood-shake roof. They are heavier and thicker than 3-tab asphalt shingles, making them a much more durable option.
Today, they are the most popular asphalt shingle type in the United States. However, architectural asphalt shingles are also the most commonly used roofing material in residential roofing as a whole.
Luxury asphalt shingles (also called designer or premium) are high-end shingle lines designed to mimic natural slate tiles. They are larger, thicker, more durable, and offer higher curb appeal than architectural shingles.
Luxury asphalt shingles are the most expensive option, but they’re well worth it if you have the budget.
Now that you know a little about the three types of asphalt shingles, you’re ready to choose the right one for you. But how do you do that?
The best way is to consider the important things when going through the decision-making process. Fortunately, you can do this by simply asking yourself some simple questions.
There are no wrong answers, but asking yourself these questions is the best way to choose the right asphalt shingles.
Looks are always subjective, but you must consider the different levels of curb appeal for the shingle options. 3-tab asphalt shingles offer the lowest curb appeal, but some homeowners like the flat look.
The big downside is their limited color options and the fact that they're becoming scarce in some areas. Architectural asphalt shingles have higher curb appeal than 3-tab, but the slate look of luxury asphalt shingles by far offers the most.
I recommend going with architectural asphalt shingles if your home’s curb appeal isn’t the most important consideration. However, strongly consider luxury if you want a head-turning look guaranteed to stand out in your neighborhood.
Other than resale value, a roof’s lifespan is the ROI you get from your investment. So, it’s crucial to consider how long you want your roof to last when choosing your asphalt shingles.
3-tab asphalt shingles have the shortest lifespan of the three types, lasting 15 years and up to 20 years at the most. Architectural asphalt shingles have a manufactured-stated lifespan of 30 years but will realistically last around 22-25 years after installation.
Luxury asphalt shingles are thicker and larger than the other two, which helps them get up to 30 years and potentially up to 50 in the right conditions. Architectural asphalt shingles are a great option for any homeowner looking for a good lifespan for an affordable price.
However, luxury asphalt shingles give you peace of mind from not having to worry about your roof for 30 to 50 years.
The asphalt shingles you choose make up the bulk of the material costs for your roof replacement, so your budget is the most important consideration. 3-tab asphalt shingles are the cheapest, but you sacrifice a lot of quality.
Architectural asphalt shingles are the best quality for most budgets, which is why they're so popular in the United States. They're the best option if you’re looking for affordability, but will be around 20% to 30% more expensive than 3-tab.
Luxury asphalt shingles are the most expensive option, being almost double the cost of architectural asphalt shingles. However, their premium price point is well worth the durability, long lifespan, and high curb appeal.
Asphalt shingles come with a warranty from the manufacturer to protect against defects and other manufacturer-related problems. You’re investing a lot of money, so you should always strongly consider warranties when choosing an asphalt shingle.
3-tab asphalt shingles come with a basic 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer, while both architectural and luxury asphalt shingles come with a 30-year prorated warranty. The warranties on the shingles themselves aren’t far apart in length, but there's a little more to it.
Architectural or luxury asphalt shingles can qualify for a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty on the entire roof by meeting certain criteria.
On top of the shingles, either all or specific asphalt roofing components (depending on the manufacturer) must come from that one specific manufacturer and be installed by a certified roofing contractor.
After installation, the warranty ensures they’ll cover the entire roof for its life. Depending on the certification level of the roofer, some manufacturers even offer workmanship warranties.
Just know that shingles also come with warranties for things like algae and wind resistance, but the length varies by shingle and manufacturer.
At this point, you know the facts about the three types of asphalt shingles and the things to consider when making your decision. So, now it’s time to decide which is right for you.
The table below is a quick recap of the three types of asphalt shingles.
| 3-tab | Architectural | Luxury |
| Lowest curb appeal | Decent curb appeal | Highest curb appeal |
| Lasts 15 to 20 years | Lasts 22 to 25 years | Lasts 30 years, can get up to 50 years |
| Least expensive | Most affordable | Most expensive |
| 25-year limited warranty | 30-year prorated warranty | 30-year prorated warranty |
It’s tempting to get 3-tab asphalt shingles due to their low cost, but they are by far the most inferior option. So, I recommend architectural shingles as the baseline.
They’re affordable without sacrificing quality if budget is a concern and come with great protection if installed by a certified roofer. However, you won’t find a better-looking or quality option than luxury asphalt shingles if you have the budget.
After reading this article, you have the information needed to choose your asphalt shingle. If you keep everything in mind and ask yourself the questions, I’m confident you’ll make the right decision.
However, the biggest piece of the puzzle is missing. I touched on budget and cost differences, but this article doesn’t actually contain any pricing.
Obviously, you need to know how much a roof costs to truly make the right shingle choice. However, pricing in the roofing industry is complex.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down how much an asphalt shingle roof costs and the things that directly affect it.
Check out How Much Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost to learn the budget you’ll need for a full roof replacement using the shingle you choose.