What are Luxury Asphalt Shingles? (3 Things to Know About Them)

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material around the country today. But there are actually three types that each have a different look, lifespan, and price. 

Most people go with the most affordable option out of the three. However, some homeowners want a more prestigious look for their asphalt roof. 

Because of this, manufacturers make luxury-style asphalt shingles. But what exactly are luxury shingles, and what do they offer to make them worth the price? 

For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners find the perfect roofing material fit for their roof replacement. Now we want to help determine if luxury asphalt shingles are the right one for you. 

I’ll start this article by breaking down what luxury asphalt shingles are and what makes them different from other asphalt shingles. After that, I’ll dive into the 3 things you need to know about them; lifespan, cost, and warranties. 

What are luxury asphalt shingles?

Luxury (also called premium) asphalt shingles are what the name says; they're the luxury line of asphalt shingles. They’re designed to look like slate tiles that give your roof a look that stands out compared to the other types of asphalt shingles. 

But their curb appeal isn’t the only thing that sets them apart. Luxury asphalt shingles are bigger and thicker, making them more durable than 3-tab or architectural shingles. 

But this higher curb appeal and extra durability come at a steeper price. You can actually expect to pay around double the price for a luxury asphalt shingle roof than you would for an architectural asphalt shingle roof. 

3 things to know about luxury asphalt shingles

Now you know what luxury asphalt shingles are. But there clearly wasn’t enough information for you to truly determine if it’s the right roofing material for you. 

That’s why you need to learn the 3 main things to know about them, their lifespan, how much they cost, and their material warranty. 

1. How long do luxury asphalt shingles last?

The lifespan of a roofing material is the number of years you get out of it. Because luxury asphalt shingles are thicker, they have the longest lifespan of the asphalt shingles. 

With that in mind, you should get up to 30 years of life out of luxury asphalt shingles. In perfect conditions, you can push that number even further. 

Just know there are a lot of factors that impact the life of a roof. So, it’s impossible to put an exact number on the lifespan of any roofing material. 

But as long as the luxury asphalt shingles are properly installed and the attic has adequate ventilation, they should get as close as possible to the maximum lifespan.

2. How much does a luxury asphalt shingle roof cost?

If you’re like most homeowners, the biggest factor in your decision-making process is pricing. The truth is that no matter what type of roofing material you choose, it will be an investment. 

Just like roof lifespan, I can’t give you an exact price for a luxury asphalt shingle roof due to all the factors that go into a new roof’s cost. However, I can give you a general idea of the budget you’ll need if you choose luxury asphalt shingles for your roof replacement. 

For a two-story house with a cut-up, complex roof, a steep pitch, and not easily accessible, you can expect a new luxury asphalt shingle roof to cost around $8.00 per square foot. This includes using all of the manufacturer’s roofing components and upgrading to copper flashing.

Remember, luxury asphalt shingles are considered a premium roofing material. So, it’s understandable for the price to be a little intimidating.  

If you’re looking for a more affordable but still great material, architectural asphalt shingles are the best option. 

3. What kind of material warranty do you get on luxury asphalt shingles?

You’ll have two types of warranties on a new luxury asphalt shingle roof. The first one is on the roofing contractor’s workmanship and varies from company to company. 

The second one is the material warranty you get from the manufacturer that covers any problems with the luxury asphalt shingles themselves. Luxury asphalt shingles automatically come out of the package with a 30-year prorated warranty. 

But if you use one manufacturer’s roofing components and materials to form a complete roof system, you’ll be able to qualify for a 50-year non-prorated warranty. The enhanced warranty ensures the manufacturer covers your entire roof for the life of the roofing materials.

Just know improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation will void an enhanced warranty. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, it’s crucial to hire a high-quality roofing contractor to install your luxury asphalt shingles. 

Are luxury asphalt shingles right for you?

Now you know the 3 things every homeowner needs to know about luxury asphalt shingles. After reading this article, you should have a pretty good idea if they’re the right roofing material for your roof replacement. 

If they are, you’re ready to reach out to a local roofing contractor. But what if they’re not? Or what if you just want to know your other roofing material options?

If any of the above applies to you, we have just the thing you need. The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof has all the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular residential roofing materials, plus their cost, lifespan, and warranty options. 

The free guide also helps you learn how to find a great roofing contractor, the different roofing components you’ll pay for, how to pay for your new roof, and so much more. Keep going to get Your Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof. 

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has replaced thousands of roofs in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. No matter what type of roofing material you want, you can count on us and our lifetime workmanship warranty to take care of your roof for decades to come. 

If you’re local to Nashville or another Middle Tennessee area, don’t hesitate to contact us for any of your roofing needs. 

Here’s The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof, so you have all the information you need to make the right purchasing decisions.