For a lot of home and business owners, most purchases come down to cost. This includes roofing shingles. Although 3-tab shingles are the least expensive, they are not necessarily the best value, or the best “bang for your buck”, as they say. They are also not the most popular, and for good reasons – they don’t last as long, they aren’t as resistant to wind and hail. What’s more, in some areas, 3-tab shingles aren’t allowed. In some areas, we are not permitted to install a non-impact resistant roofing shingles, such as 3-tab/strip shingles. Below, we compare 3-tab vs architectural shingles and take a closer look to why we feel architectural roofing shingles are worth the additional cost.
Short Answer: Yes, architectural shingles are worth the additional cost. For only a little more money, upgrading to architectural shingles from 3-tab shingles gets you more wind protection and a better warranty.
If you’re considering 3-tab shingles just to save a little money, you should consider architectural shingles (also known as dimensional shingles), such as Owens Corning’s Oakridge or GAF’s Timberline shingles. For not much more money, you get a shingle that has a higher wind resistance, a longer wind warranty, and an overall lifetime warranty, and these are huge upgrades!
3-Tab/Strip Shingles
Consider your entry-level 3-tab/strip roofing shingle on a 2500 square-foot roof. That will cost you around $7,900, materials and labor, 2020 prices. These shingles either don’t have a wind rating, such as GAF’s “Royal Sovereign”, or is rated for only up to 60 mph winds, such as Owens Corning’s “Supreme”. Both offer a limited 25-year warranty.
Architectural Shingles
Compare those to Owens Corning’s least expensive architectural Oakridge, or GAF’s Timberline NS shingles. Both have 130mph wind ratings and limited life-time warranties. These are big differences! For that same 2500 square foot roof, you get a roof that’s resistant to stronger winds AND with a much better warranty. Here along the Front Range, it’s not uncommon to see wind gusts above 60 mph. Just this past June, gusts between 50 and 70 mph were reported by CBS Denver. The price difference between your basic 3-tab shingles and entry-level architectural shingles is minimal, $7,900 vs $8,200, respectively.
Warranties 3-Tab vs Architectural Shingles
Most 3-tab shingles only come with a 25-year warranty. With 25-year warranties, your roof is not covered beyond 25 years against manufacturer defects. If you find that your roof has failed after 25 years due to a manufacturer’s defect, it’s up to you to fix and pay for it.
Most architectural shingles, on the other hand, come with Limited Lifetime Warranties. These warranties are in effect for as long as you own your home. If anything goes wrong with your roof, you have someone to call for help.
For example, compare warranties on CertainTeed’s 3-tab XT-25 shingles versus their architectural/designer Landmark™ shingles. Their designer shingles offer a longer warranty against manufacturer defects, a longer SureStart™ warranty which covers labor costs, and a much longer wind warranty, which also covers stronger winds.
CertainTeed’s XT-25 3-Tab Shingles:
- 25-year, limited transferable warranty
- 5-year SureStart™ warranty (100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 10-year StreakFighter® warranty (on available colors) against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 5-year, 60 mph wind-resistance warranty
CertainTeed’s Landmark™ Designer Shingles:
- Lifetime, limited transferable warranty
- 10-year SureStart™ warranty (100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 10-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 15-year, 110 mph wind-resistance warranty
- Wind warranty upgrade is available for Landmark up to 130 mph. Specified CertainTeed starter and CertainTeed hip and ridge are required
High Winds
With 25-year warranties, damages or blow-offs caused by winds in excess of 60 mph are your responsibility to repair or replace, and pay for it. The length of wind protection is also shorter with 25-year limited warranties, depending upon the manufacturer. CertainTeed’s 3-tab shingles is only warrantied for the first 5 years, for example.
Compared to Limited Lifetime Warranties, the wind warranty length is often 15 years or more. And, if winds were recorded to have been over 60 mph, but under 130 mph, you have help available to repair, replace, and pay for the damages.
3-Tab vs Architectural Shingles Summary
For just a few hundred dollars more than your entry-level 3-tab shingles, you get a lifetime warranty, twice or three times the wind warranty length, and twice the wind protection. And, if you’re trying to sell your house, prospective buyers will also notice and appreciate the longer warranties and better coverage 🙂 If you want an even better roof, again for not much more money, consider Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration line, which, thanks to their SureNail technology, has even better gripping power.