Did you just learn that you need an asphalt roof replacement? Do you want the most common type of asphalt shingle available?
An asphalt shingle roof is the most common type of roof in the United States. However, one specific type of asphalt shingle is used much more than the others.
There’s actually a pretty good chance this is the type of roof you’ll see on the majority of homes in your neighborhood. So, what is the common type of asphalt shingle?
For over 35 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in helping homeowners understand on all things asphalt shingle roof. That's why I'll break down what the most common type of asphalt shingle is and what you need to know about it.
In this article, I'll answer the following questions:
Architectural shingles (also known as dimensional) are the most common type of asphalt shingle used in residential roofing today. 3-tab shingles shingles used to dominate the industry, but architectural shingles were created as technology improved.
Now, there are still plenty of 3-tab shingles. However, the cost difference between the two isn't much, but the difference in quality is drastic.
So, the reason architectural shingles are the most common type comes down to affordability combined with good quality. But even with the affordability, a new architectural shingle roof will still be a large investment.
That's why it's crucial invest in quality instead of looking for the lowest price possible.
Architectural asphalt shingles are an asphalt-based roofing material consisting of fiberglass, tar, and granules on a fiberglass mat. Their design provides a random pattern to give a roof dimension or simulate the look of a wood-shake roof with certain colors.
(Architectural shingles after installation)
As you just learned, architectural asphalt shingles the most popular asphalt shingle. However, they are also the most common type of roofing material installed on roofs today.
Let's look at the pros and cons of architectural asphalt shingles:
Architectural asphalt shingles have a stated lifespan of 30 years. However, there are many factors that impact how long a roof actually lasts.
With that in mind, an architectural asphalt shingle roof should last around 80% of the maximum manufactured-stated lifespan as long as it's properly installed and properly ventilated. So, you can realistically expect architectural asphalt shingles to last around 22-25 years as long as you invest in quality and hire a reputable roofer.
I can’t give you an exact price for architectural asphalt shingles alone due to area specific pricing, shingle brands, and all the other factors that impact a roof’s cost. However, I can give you an idea of the budget you’ll need for a full new roof.
A architectural asphalt shingle roof costs around $5.00 to $7.00 per square foot, for labor and materials. As I said, this price isn’t just for the shingles but also for the other components and labor costs.
The components you'll pay for, along with architectural asphalt shingles, to form a roof system include:
If your roof is missing just one of these components, I guarantee you’ll have problems. That’s why you must invest in quality over trying to get the cheapest roof possible to avoid left-off materials, cut corners, and lazy workmanship.
Architectural asphalt shingles come with a basic 30-year material warranty (prorated after 10 years) to protect against manufacturer defects. However, you can upgrade to an enhanced warranty by getting a full roof system from a shingle manufacturer and hiring a certified roofer.
This 50-year non-prorated warranty ensures the manufacturer covers your entire roof system (architectural shingles and the other roofing components) for the life of the roof. If just one component fails, they'll pay to replace your entire asphalt roof (labor and materials).
While the defect warranty is the main one, architectural shingles also come with algae and wind resistance warranties. However, how long they’ll last and what's exactly covered varies by shingle manufacturer.
After reading this article, you now know architectural shingles are the most common type of asphalt shingle and the main things you need to know about them. There's a reason they're the most popular asphalt shingle and roofing material in general.
And it all comes down to the great balance between affordability and quality. However, there are two other asphalt shingle types to consider.
After all, how can you really determine which asphalt shingle is right for you without comparing them on key factors? The truth is, you can't.
That's why I wrote another article breaking down and matching up the three types of asphalt shingles.
Check out The 3 Types of Asphalt Shingles to learn the differences in cost, lifespan, curb appeal, and much more so you have confidence to make the right decision.