Architectural vs 3-Tab Shingles: Which Is Better?

What is the difference between architectural and 3-tab shingles?

The difference is how they are made. A 3-tab shingle is one flat layer of asphalt-coated fiberglass cut into three equal tabs. An architectural shingle (also called dimensional or laminated) has two or more layers bonded together. That makes it thicker and heavier, and it gives the roof a textured, shadowed pattern.

Both are asphalt shingles, and both go over the same underlayment, flashing and deck. Only the shingle itself changes:

• 3-tab shingles lie flat and repeat the same rectangle pattern across the roof. They are the older, more basic product and are sometimes sold as strip shingles.
• Architectural shingles have a base layer with extra tabs of different shapes bonded on top. That extra material gives the roof depth when seen from the street, and the added weight helps each shingle stay down.

CertainTeed's guide to the main types of asphalt shingles shows the same categories side by side. Most new roofs today use architectural shingles, and 3-tab has become the budget option.

How can you tell which type is on your roof now?

You can usually tell from the ground in a minute or two. Look at the pattern. A 3-tab roof has neat, evenly spaced slots lined up in straight rows. An architectural roof looks random and layered, with no repeating slots.

This is a safe check to do yourself, as long as you stay off the roof and off ladders:

1. Stand across the street or at the end of the driveway, where you can see a whole side of the roof in good daylight.
2. Use binoculars or zoom in with your phone camera.
3. Look for slots that line up like brickwork. That is 3-tab.
4. Look for darker shadow bands and tabs of different widths. That is architectural.

Plenty of Long Island Capes, ranches and split-levels still have a 3-tab roof from an earlier replacement. If yours is 3-tab and looks worn, it probably went on some time ago. Have someone check its overall condition before you plan anything.

Which holds up better in Long Island wind?

Architectural shingles usually hold up better in wind. The extra layers make them heavier and stiffer, and manufacturers usually give them higher wind ratings and wind warranties than their 3-tab shingles. How the roof is installed still matters just as much as which shingle you pick.

Wind is the main threat to shingles here. Nor'easters can blow strong gusts across the whole Island for hours. Homes on the South Shore, from Long Beach and Freeport out to Babylon and Bay Shore, also face open wind off the water and salt air. Most wind damage starts at the edges of the roof: the lower edges, the sloped side edges and the ridges. That is where a thin 3-tab shingle can catch the wind, lift and crease.

Two things hold a shingle down: a strip of sealant that glues it to the shingle below, and correct nailing. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety explains on its Roof 101 page that a shingle's wind resistance depends on how well that sealed shingle resists being lifted. That leads to a few practical points:

• Check the wind rating. Shingle packages list a wind test rating. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says in its guide to asphalt shingle roofing systems that Class H is the highest rating under the ASTM D7158 wind test.
• Nails must go in the right place. Each shingle has a marked nailing area. Nails placed too high are a common reason shingles blow off, whatever the type.
• Cold weather slows sealing. The sealant strips need warmth to stick. For late fall and winter jobs, the manufacturer's instructions may call for extra steps such as sealing shingles by hand, and a careful crew follows them.

In short, a well-installed architectural roof gives you more protection in a nor'easter than a 3-tab roof. But a badly nailed architectural roof can still lose shingles.

How do they compare on looks and curb appeal?

Architectural shingles look richer and have more depth, and they suit almost every style of house in the area. 3-tab gives a flat, even look that can seem plain, especially on a large roof.

The difference shows most when the roof is a big part of what you see from the street. A Cape with tall front slopes, or a colonial with a wide, simple roof, can look flat and dated in 3-tab. Architectural shingles break up that surface with shadow lines, which adds depth without looking busy.

The look has a practical side too. Architectural shingles are thicker and have a random pattern, so they hide small dips in an older roof deck better. 3-tab rows run in straight lines, so every dip shows. Architectural shingles also tend to come in more blended colors, which helps if you are matching new siding or trim.

What drives the cost difference?

Architectural shingles cost more per bundle than 3-tab. But the shingles are only one part of a roof replacement, so the difference in the total price is usually smaller than people expect. Most of the cost is labor and work that stays the same whichever shingle you pick.

On a full roof replacement, these items are the same no matter which shingle you choose:

• Removing every old layer down to the deck, and hauling it away
• Repairing any rotted plywood found once the old roof is off
• Ice-and-water shield at the lower edges and valleys, plus synthetic underlayment
• New flashing at chimneys, walls, skylights and pipes
• Ventilation and clean-up

What changes your price most is the size of the roof, how steep it is, how many angles and valleys it has, how many old layers must come off, how much rotted deck turns up, and how many chimneys, skylights and walls need flashing. Shingle type matters, but it rarely decides whether a project is affordable. If money is tight, ask about financing before you choose a cheaper shingle. The shingle is what you will look at and depend on for as long as the roof lasts.

When does 3-tab still make sense?

3-tab still makes sense in a few cases. The main ones are small repairs on an existing 3-tab roof, and jobs where the lowest price today matters more than anything else. For a full replacement on a home you plan to keep, architectural is almost always the better value.

Fair examples where 3-tab can be reasonable:

• Repairing a 3-tab roof that still has life left. If a storm blows off a handful of shingles on a roof that is otherwise sound, a roof repair with matching 3-tab is the sensible fix. An exact color match on an older roof is not always possible, so expect some difference until the new shingles fade in.
• A very tight budget on a small, simple roof. 3-tab installed correctly over proper underlayment and flashing will still keep water out. It just stands up less well in high wind and looks plainer.

3-tab is a poor choice for homes exposed near the water, for large roof slopes that are easy to see, and for any home you plan to stay in for many years. Mixing the two types on one side of a roof is also a bad idea. They differ in thickness and pattern, so the patch will always stand out.

Which should you choose for your replacement?

For most homeowners replacing a whole roof, architectural shingles are the right choice. They handle wind better, look better and make up only a small part of the total cost. That is why architectural shingles are our standard for roof replacements.

Before you decide, it helps to know what shape your current roof is in and what the job will involve. A free roof inspection takes about 45 minutes. You get a photo report on the condition of your shingles, flashing and ventilation, plus an honest view of how much life the roof has left. If a replacement makes sense, you get a free written, itemized estimate that shows exactly where the money goes.

LaRocco Roofing & Siding works across Long Island (Nassau County and Suffolk County) and Queens, NY. Owner Peter LaRocco has 30+ years in the trade. Call (516) 924-2050 or request a free inspection online.

Related service: Roof Replacement