Architectural roofing shingles are a type of roofing material that has been around for over 100 years. They were invented in the early 1900s to provide an alternative to traditional flat shingles. How do they compare? Architectural shingles typically last longer and have more design options than traditional flat shingle roofs, but they also cost substantially more. Flat shakes have been used for centuries. But in recent years, there has been a new type of roofing material on the market that can be installed over your existing flat shake roofs – architectural shingle roofs! Architectural shingles offer some unique features, such as more colors and textures than traditional style exterior siding.
The decision about which is better for your home largely depends on what you want from your roof. If you need a long-lasting roof with various designs, it might be worth looking into architectural shingles!
Are Architectural Shingles Better Than Regular Shingles?
Architectural shingles are the answer to your dreams. They’re high-quality dimensional or laminated shingles that add beauty and sophistication to any roof. Architectural shingles are also referred to as dimensional shingles because they provide a more dimensional look than traditional flat roof coverings. Each of the multiple layers in architectural siding creates dimension and depth, giving them an appearance similar to cedar shakes without the added weight that it would bring on your roof. And they come in a variety of colors, so you can make sure yours pops!
Architectural Shingles have minimum warranties of thirty years! When considering whether or not someone should invest in their property, they are one crucial element – if this major piece isn’t up-to-par. There may come complications later on because fixing any issue would require rebuilding parts from scratch rather than simply replacing individual shingles.
What is the Advantage of Architectural Shingles?
Architectural shingles typically last longer and have more design options than traditional flat shingle roofs, but they also cost substantially more. If the price difference doesn’t scare you away, architecture shingles are an excellent option for anyone that wants to give their home some curb appeal and needs a durable roof. The composition of architectural roofing materials includes various synthetic or natural ingredients combined with asphalt binders that give them their unique properties, including durability, strength, flexibility, waterproof qualities, and fire retardant abilities. Some are made in such a way where you can walk on them without worrying about breaking through, while others only need to be walked on occasionally.
In addition, Architectural shingles offer some unique features, such as more colors and textures than traditional style exterior siding. Here are few benefits of Architectural Shingles:
- Longer lasting
- More design options
- Adequate resistance to extreme weather conditions (such as hail and UV rays)
- Higher grade of protection from the elements.
On top of those mentioned, these high-quality dimensional or laminated shingles make your home look new because they conceal all nail holes and other imperfections on the surface while at the same time giving it an upgraded appearance.
Do Architectural Shingles Add Value?
Architectural shingles are the perfect way to add beauty and value to your roof. They’re made from a fiberglass mat base with ceramic coated minerals embedded in water-resistant asphalt, which is then topped off by several layers of material for good measure.
Fiberglass mats make these architectural shingles strong enough for any weather condition or heavy snow load while preventing leaks. The tiles have an attractive dimensional look because they use real wood veneers instead of synthetic laminates, so you can enjoy natural-looking stains and textures without worrying about scratches!
Do Architectural Shingles Lay Flat?
After installing new shingles over old ones, it may be difficult to lay the newer layer of shingles flat. Shingle installation is designed to conform with surfaces beneath them, and if the existing layers are not laying flat, then your newly installed one won’t either.
Some people install a new layer of roofing materials onto their current roofs because they don’t have enough money for repairs or can’t find someone else who will do this work. Still, you run some risks by doing so that might cause more problems than before, such as sagging tiles on top which means any tiles laid atop these will sag too due to weight distribution issues in your roof’s surface area.
When someone is looking into purchasing or investing in an improvement project on their home, they need to take many things into account – whether it be new windows, roof repair, or even just repairing old paintwork. One key element would be your roof: if this major piece isn’t up-to-par, there may come complications later on because fixing any issue requires rebuilding parts from scratch rather than simply replacing individual shingles.
What is the Best Architectural Shingle Brand?
There are many different brands of architectural shingles, which means a lot more variety when it comes to colors and textures. There are many to pick from, which makes it challenging to narrow down the best. However, there is one that stands out in terms of variety and quality: GAF Roofing Shingles! Unlike other companies who offer only a few styles or colors for their customers, this company offers over 30 different types of color options so you can get exactly what suits your needs perfectly.
The truth is most people would say all brands make great products, but some stand out among professionals looking at roofs on professional job sites- like those made by GAF’s Windmill line. This particular type has been around since 1985 when they were first released as an alternative option because it was environmentally friendly and had a 25-year warranty as opposed to the standard 20.
Are There Different Grades of Architectural Shingles?
The world of shingles is a vast and varied place, but three tiers will cover most needs:
- Economy products offer the cheapest option for homeowners who want to save money on their roof replacement project while still getting an attractive appearance.
- Mid-range offers good protection with more durability than the economy at a reasonable price.
- High-end premium features superior quality and longevity so you can keep your home looking fresh well into the future without spending top dollar on maintenance costs!
These grades are also categorized as good, best and better. At the bottom tier, you have “3-tab” shingles. They’ve been a mainstay in the roofing business for decades and offer minimal thickness with short warranty durations. Next up are architectural shingles that come in both “better” and best options. Architectural shingles are thicker piece of material that feature more shapes to choose from, which increases visual appeal thanks to increased texture patterns on their surfaces. And they come with a more extended warranty.
When shopping for new shingles, it’s essential to understand what each tier has available because they all have different prices and varying levels of insulation capabilities. The lower-priced ‘economy’ options provide average performance with appealing styling by keeping installation costs low. Still, the mid-range and high-end premium tiers offer superior insulation so you can save on your energy bill.
What is the Difference Between Architectural Shingles and Traditional Flat Shingles?
Architectural shingles are more expensive than regular flat shingles, but they last longer and have more design options. For one thing, an average family will go through four traditional flat roofs in the lifespan of just ONE architectural roof! Plus, when you’re looking at different types of homes with various designs—some may require some kind of slope that can be difficult for a single-ply or clay tile roof to cover appropriately. While others might want something lighter weight so they can avoid structural supports on their home’s facade—architectural tiles typically provide better coverage. These benefits come with higher cost and greater installation complexity; however, if your house requires something that flat shingles can’t accommodate, architectural roof tiles are the way to go.
Architectural shingles typically last longer than traditional flat shingle roofs because they’re made from a composite material rather than just an exterior coating like most other types (such as wood). In addition, these high-quality dimensional or laminated roof tiles make your home look new again without having any imperfections in the form of cracks or water leaks that are seen in flat shingles.
While architectural shingles have many advantages over regular shingles when it comes down to design options and durability, there is one thing you may not be considered with them that could come back later on. They add a lot more weight than your average roof! When installed properly, this is not a problem. However, if you want to install them on an existing home with weight restrictions or need structural supports for your house’s facade – then it may be wiser to invest in traditional flat shingles instead.
Is it Normal for New Shingles to Not Lay Flat?
After installing new shingles over old ones, it may be difficult to lay the newer layer of shingles flat. Shingle installation is designed to conform with surfaces beneath them, and if the existing layers are not laying flat, then your newly installed one won’t either. This can also prevent the new layers from properly adhering to any preceding layers of material laid down before it, leaving bumps in your roof and potentially causing leaks if this problem is left untreated.
To avoid these problems altogether, you should have all previous materials stripped off so that anything placed overtop will allow for proper installation without having trouble staying put like many other kinds of products would face on such an incline where gravity has less control over what happens.
Final Thoughts
Architectural shingles have become popular in recent years because of their versatility and durability. Architects typically recommend architecture shingle because it has more design options than standard exterior siding and is less expensive. How does an architect decide which one would work best for your home or business when looking at different types of houses with various designs—some may require some kind of slope that can be difficult for a single-ply or clay tile roof to cover properly, while others might want something lighter weight so they can avoid structural supports on their home’s facade—architectural tiles typically provide better coverage. These benefits come with higher cost and greater installation complexity; however, if your house requires something that flat shingles cannot accommodate, architectural roof tiles are the way to go!
Architectural shingles have a variety of benefits. They come with excellent warranties, ranging from 35 to 45 years (or sometimes, if you get the right manufacturer, it can be a lifetime). It is much longer than a three-tab shingle warranty which ranges anywhere from 3-5 years depending on your location and what company provides them for that area.
I hope this article has helped! If you’re still unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask an architect or contractor for clarification. They may also offer other recommendations based on your specific needs.
