Composition Shingle
Asphalt Composition Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of shingle. They are sold in 3-tab, architectural styles, and designer styles. The 3-tab shingle is the most affordable and basic shingle, but these shingles are thinner and wear out more quickly. Architectural shingles are more durable and often more pleasing to look at. They are more expensive but last up to twice as long as the 3-tab shingles do. And the designer shingle is your premium shingle that is the most expensive and replicate slate or wood shake shingles.
3 Types of Asphalt Shingles
These common roof shingles are distinguished by cutouts—tabs—made along their long lower edge. The result is that each shingle looks like three separate pieces when installed, but it’s only one.
Budget-Friendly - Lightweight
- Easily Maintained
- Energy Efficient
- Last 20+ years
Most Popular
These roofing shingles contain no cutouts, but their lower portions are laminated with an additional asphalt layer. This creates the contoured, dimensional look that gives them their name. Asphalt sealant bonds the layers, reinforcing the shingles’ waterproof capability. Though durable, architectural shingles are not recommended for low-sloping roofs, which are more vulnerable to wind-driven rain.
- Energy Efficient
- Durable
- Increase Home’s Value
- Lasts 30-50 years
Luxury premium shingles replicate the high-end natural slate and cedar shake roofs but at a much lower price. Natural Wood Shakes and slate are more expensive to install and involve extended roofing installation labor. A slate roof may cost as much as 10 times that of architectural laminate shingles.