We all know that the only thing keeping us from getting wet during a rainstorm is a thin piece of asphalt nailed or stapled to a piece of plywood above our heads. The average shingle is fairly cheap and will last between 15 and 20 years, depending on where you live.
But if you’re looking for a premium shingle that lasts longer, looks better, and gives you more value for the money that you put into it, look no further than architectural shingle.
Sometimes they go by the name of ‘dimensional’ or ‘laminate shingles’ and became popular in the 1980s for the level of enhancement it offers in both looks and durability. Roofers are also fond architectural shingle as their design helps to hide any little imperfections as the texture of the shingles themselves are unique.
Architectural shingles are of higher quality, made with fiberglass coated with asphalt, it’s made up of several layers and laminated together. This makes these particular types of shingles heavier, often as much as 100 pounds per 100 square feet heavier. That’s a lot of extra weight, so ask your contractor or roofer if your roof is strong enough to handle it.
Architectural shingles have an appearance unlike any other type of shingle. Because they’re thicker and heavier, they have a more distinct appearance that are somewhat dimensional and textured.
It’s the thicker and layered texture that makes architectural shingles last a lot longer than traditional. You can get may be between 15 and 20 years out of the average shingle, while architectural shingles will more than give you 30 years, with some brands lasting as long as 40 years. That means you could go most your life and probably never have to worry about re-shingling the roof ever again.
With architectural shingles, you can get them in a wide variety of different patterns and colors. If you’re looking for specific type of shingle that can match the outside of the home and give it a real pop or a nice, classic feel, these types of shingles are exactly what you’re looking for.
Because architectural shingles are laminated and contain multiple layers, there much more durable than the average shingle. Not only do they handle pounding rains and downpours, they’re much more resistant to heavy wind. This also has a lot to do with how these types of shingles are laid as well as their weight.
These types of shingles are really a bargain when you consider all that they do and how long they last. On average, will spend about 25% more on architectural shingles, but they last 50% longer and protect your home better against the elements.
This is why you’re much more likely to find architectural shingles and more upscale neighborhoods, but if you’re able to make the investment, you’ll get much more out of them than standard varieties.
The ultimate cost savings is in the fact that you have to replace traditional shingles twice and have a much higher risk of losing them in a storm then you would with architectural shingles.