Introduction

Updating your roof means that you have to make decisions regarding what type of shingles you want to use.  A stylish, economical, and durable choice is architectural shingles. They are similar to traditional asphalt shingles but with valuable differences! 

Versatility

Architectural shingles come in a variety of colors, textures, and pattern choices, including options that can look like much more expensive roofing options. Whether you prefer a slate, cedar shake, or a tile look, architectural shingles are an economical alternative. They can be crafted with a depth and texture that gives them a high-quality appearance without the maintenance, or expense of pricier products. This can enhance your home’s beauty, curb appeal, and resale value.

Architectural shingles are easy to cut and fit into corners and crevices. This makes installing them easier than other roofing materials like slate, tile, or stone, especially on roofs with intricate architectural features. Architectural shingles don’t need extra support built under them as traditional asphalt shingles do, so despite being heavier, they actually put less stress on your roof. As a result, they are appropriate for a wide variety of ages and styles of housing—even older homes. Altogether, their convenience can save you a great deal on roof installation costs.

Durability

One of the biggest benefits of architectural shingles is their durability. Alternatively, standard 3-tab asphalt shingles contain a single layer of material on top of a fiberglass or cloth mat. This makes them vulnerable to deterioration and damage from hail, high winds, and other severe weather conditions. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, are made from multiple layers of refined asphalt and granules laminated together.

Because of their sturdier composition, they have a much higher wind resistance than standard roofing shingles; some can even withstand winds up to 120 mph! This is a significant improvement over standard shingles, which can typically only resist 60–80-mph winds. This saves you money on repairs and replacement over the life of your roof. 

Architectural shingles are also more fire-resistant than standard composition shingles, which can prevent significant damage in the event that lightning strikes your home. Because of this extra protection, some home insurers offer discounts on your premiums for installing architectural shingles.

Longevity

High-performance architectural shingles cost far less than materials like slate, tile, or shake roofing. They last longer than standard shingles, often coming with a 30-year warranty rather than the 20-year warranty that typically comes with traditional shingles. Architectural shingles also require less maintenance and replacement than 3-tab shingles. Although they usually cost around 20–30% more per square than 3-tab shingles, their longevity results in savings over time.

In Closing

Your roof has a huge impact on your energy use (and costs) in Rochester, NY. It takes more energy to cool buildings that have inefficient, hot roofs in the summer. Architectural shingles are engineered to remain cooler than traditional shingles by offering greater light deflection. They also provide added insulation, which reduces heat transference between your home and the outdoors, resulting in lower heating and cooling bills.