3-Tab Shingles vs. Laminate Shingles

You need a roof replacement (or maybe you&#;re building a new one?) and you don&#;t know enough about the different roofing types to make an informed decision.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website what is a laminated shingle.

Two of the most widespread types of shingles available to residential homeowners are asphalt and laminate. You need to know what the differences between them will mean for your roof.

Asphalt vs. Laminate Shingles

Regular asphalt shingles are also known as &#;3-tab&#; shingles. They are flat, with only one shingle tab shape and size.

Laminate shingles are also known as &#;laminated architectural&#; or just &#;architectural&#; shingles. They are a type of asphalt shingle, but are built with a heavier base mat and multiple material layers of a more refined type of asphalt. The shingle tabs have different shapes and sizes, giving them a more dimensional appearance.

Click here to see our gallery of laminate shingles.

Does your home&#;s roof need a replacement or upgrade?

3-Tab Shingles vs. Laminated Architectural Shingles

Short-Term Cost

3-tab shingles are typically 50% lighter than their laminate counterparts; they are comprised of less material. Although the materials themselves are cheaper, they are more time consuming to install than laminate. Due to this, many roofing companies will charge the same for both options.

Winner: Tie.

Durability

Because laminated architectural shingles are heavier than 3-tab shingles and have the strength of multiple shingles, they can withstand stronger winds and more intense weather conditions. 3-tabs are much more vulnerable to wind, and can sometimes even be ripped away during stormy conditions.

Laminated shingles typically last and retain their appearance longer than 3-tab shingles &#; extending the life of your roof significantly (up to as much as 20 years!).

Winner: Laminated architectural shingles.

Warranty

It&#;s important to know that warranties will always vary depending on the brand.

However, 3-tab shingles typically have a warranty of around 20 to 30 years. You should also know that manufacturers massively prorate the warranty for these shingles, leaving you with next to nothing if they don&#;t last.

Due to their greater reliability, laminated shingles have warranties ranging from 30 to 50 years &#; or even a Lifetime Manufacturer&#;s Warranty in many cases!

Winner: Laminated architectural shingles.

Long-Term Cost

Now that you know more about the differences between the durability and warranty, it&#;s time to talk about long term costs. Since laminate shingles are going to last you longer, you will actually save money in the long run! There&#;s an upfront investment for a long term benefit.

Instead of needing a roof replacement after a few decades with 3-tabs, you can keep your roof much longer with properly maintained architectural laminate shingles. This will save you money over time.

Winner:  Laminated architectural shingles.

Appearance

When seen side-by-side, it&#;s easy to tell that the &#;dimensional&#; look of laminated architectural shingles is more aesthetically pleasing. Laminated shingles can also be styled to imitate slate or cedar roofing, which improves the appearance of your home for much less than it would cost to install these more expensive roofing types.

Winner: Laminated architectural shingles.

Resale Value

Since laminated architectural shingles are more durable and nicer to look at than 3-tab shingles, you can probably guess that they will be the type of shingle to give you the better resale value on your home.

Are you interested in learning more about Fish Scale Asphalt Shingle? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Beyond that, as more homeowners are replacing their 3-tab shingles with architectural shingles, a home with 3-tab may look outdated in comparison.

Winner: Laminated architectural shingles.

[short-code id=&#;&#;]

What&#;s the Best Option for My Roof?

We recommend laminated shingles in nearly every case! When we lay out exactly why laminate shingles are superior, it&#;s not hard for our clients to see the benefits.

Of course, you will need to consult with a roofing contractor about your specific home and roof before making a final decision, but in 99 times out of 100, we find that laminate roofing is the option that makes the most sense for homeowners.

We are experienced roofing contractors with over 50 years in the business! Get a 10 year workmanship warranty on your roof replacement. Contact us today.

Serving homeowners in Hamilton, Burlington, St. Catharines, and Niagara.

Like this? You might also like:

When thinking about your home and trying to decide which roof shingle product to choose, it can be frustrating-we get it. Helping you to make an informed decision while adding value and protection to your home is our goal.

There are two types of shingles in the roofing world that we want to make you aware of, 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles and Laminated shingles.

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles vs. Laminated Shingles

APPEARANCE

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles are lightweight, flat, and have only one shingle tab shape and size. Each shingle is composed of three 12-inch tabs that are all identical.

Laminated Shingles, also called Architectural Shingles, are much thicker and heavier. Producers build Laminated Shingles with a heavier base mat and multiple layers of adhesive and granules.

DURABILITY

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles have about a 60 mph wind resistance and very often can be ripped away during stormy conditions. Because of their weight and construction, they are more vulnerable to wind and hail.

A Laminated Shingles&#; dense layered build makes them more resistant to hail and wind. They can withstand strong winds and more intense weather conditions, leaving them with almost twice the wind resistance as the 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles, sitting at around 130 mph on average. Today, the Laminated Shingles granules also have a copper and zinc compound, making them resistant to algae and moisture. This leads to the average life span of a Laminated Shingle being significantly longer than a 3-Tab Asphalt Shingle.

COST

Laminated Shingles are more expensive on average, but their longer life expectancy makes them more affordable in the long run. When you install your roof through Old Pro Roofing, we give you an industry leading product at a competitive price.

Our recommended Laminated Shingle product for your home is CertainTeed Landmark. Having used this product on thousands of roofs we know that we can confidently stand behind it&#;s performance and durability.

RESALE VALUE

Whether you are a homeowner of 30 years, or looking to sell or purchase a new home, taking time to look at the condition of your roof is certainly worth your time. Many new construction homes are built using 3-Tab Ashalt shingles. If you plan to sell your home and you are looking to upgrade your roof, Laminated Shingles are the way to go.

When thinking about selling your home, upgrading to a Laminated Shingle could potentially help the closing. Because 3-TabAsphalt Shingles are less durable, they have likely taken on more damage. When the home inspector looks at your roof, the likelihood of him tagging it for damage is a lot higher than it is on a Laminated Shingle roof.

Whether it&#;s saving money in the long run, increasing the value of your home or lessening your chances for storm damage, Laminated Shingles are definitely the way to go.

When comparing the two products we would definitely recommend Laminate Shingles over 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles. There&#;s just too many benefits to miss out on.using 3-Tab Ashalt shingles. If you plan to sell your home and you are looking to upgrade your roof, Laminated Shingles are the way to go. When thinking about selling your home, upgrading to a Laminated Shingle could potentially help the closing. Because 3-TabAsphalt Shingles are less durable, they have likely taken on more damage. When the home inspector looks at your roof, the likelihood of him tagging it for damage is a lot higher than it is on a Laminated Shingle roof.Whether it&#;s saving money in the long run, increasing the value of your home or lessening your chances for storm damage, Laminated Shingles are definitely the way to go.When comparing the two products we would definitely recommend Laminate Shingles over 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles. There&#;s just too many benefits to miss out on.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of fish scale asphalt shingles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.