Laminated Shingles vs. 3-Tab Shingles: What’s Best for Your Roof?

best asphalt shingle roofing

During a home build or a roof replacement, you need to make many decisions as a homeowner. There are several different roofing types, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed in a sea of information if you don’t know what to look for.

Asphalt shingles remain the most popular choice for homeowners in the United States, with up to 80% of homes having this material on their roof. When compared to other options, asphalt shingle roofing are affordable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. However, there are different kinds of asphalt shingles, and this can become confusing.

Asphalt shingles come in organic or fiberglass variants. Organic asphalt shingles are made with felt paper coated in asphalt, and fiberglass shingle roofing are made with a woven fiberglass mat that is covered in asphalt. Beyond this distinction, asphalt shingles come in two types: 3-Tab, or laminated, also known as architectural shingle roofing.
Though both are good choices in different applications, there are a few key differences.

What Are 3-Tab Shingles?

Budget-friendly and durable, 3-tab shingles are the most widely used option. In the manufacturing process, one long shingle is made and then cut into three tabs of equal size. There is uniformity here, as every shingle is the same shape and thickness. These asphalt shingle roofing are also lightweight and easy to install.

What Are Laminated Shingles?

Laminated (or architectural) shingles offer distinctiveness. These shingles can give your home’s roof a unique and more sophisticated appearance. Instead of being cut into tabs, laminated shingles have additional pieces of asphalt laminated to the shingle with an asphalt sealant. Instead of having a uniform appearance, these vary in thickness and color, which can give the look of a slate or shake roof for a lower cost. Laminated shingles are twice as heavy as 3-tab shingles, and they also cost a bit more.

Comparing The Options

When taking on a roof replacement, you should consider the cost, appearance, and durability of the materials.

Cost: When it comes to affordability, 3-tab shingles win out. Often, you can find 3-tab shingles on lower-end home purely for budgetary reasons. Laminated shingles can cost up to 25% more than 3-tab shingles, so are more commonly found on higher-end homes. Laminated shingles can also increase the value of your home.

Appearance: Both 3-tab and laminated shingles are manufactured in a variety of colors, finding something to match your home should be straightforward. Laminated shingles come in more shading and texture styles and can even mimic the look of high-end materials like slate. 3-tab shingles, on the other hand, can look dull.

Durability: Laminated shingles are thicker and heavier, making them more durable than 3-tab shingles. Laminated shingles are rated for winds up to 110 mph while 3-tab shingles are rated for 60 mph winds. 3-tab shingle roofs will need replacing after 20 years while a roof with laminated shingles can last about 30 years all being well.

If cost is no concern, then there are many more advantages when it comes to laminated shingles.

No matter which shingle type you choose, we can help. Call the best roofing contractor at Home Genius Exteriors today for your free estimate.

Customer Reviews

Rating

4.8

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4.7

“Home Genius did a great job, we really appreciate the work they did for us, both Trey and Pablo were efficient, kind and very knowledgeable. The crew was amazing and they were able to install the roof before it started to snow, Thank you everybody at Home Genius, From call center to the salesman, the entire process was pain free an very easy to understand . We highly recommend”

Cynthia B.

“Excellent service from start to finish! The inspector was highly knowledgeable about roofing and other specialties. They were able to provide multiple quotes for my roof, gutters, windows, and siding almost instantly after the inspection. The communication from the project manager and others were superb during the job. Quality and service worth every penny! As a contractor myself, I highly recommend this company.”

Sean J.

“I replaced the roof and gutter, not my first time on the project. It's my first time working with Home Genius. I'm glad I chose this company. The crew that represent the company ( Buddy, Alex, Tim, Pablo, and the crew) are the greatest persons I've met. Very professional, pleasant, respectful, and they show up on time, they all take their time to explain all my questions/concerns and show me every step of the project. I am grateful to be served by these wonderful people and company.”

Kidest K.

“We very much appreciate Mr. Hunter spending time to understand and address our concerns regarding the leaks we have had the last couple of years. He provided us with a quote promptly and accurately. He explained thoroughly and transparently the costs involved in the project. We were made aware of different materials and their workings. He has extensive knowledge about exterior work. I would definitely recommend Home Genius Exteriors for your next project.”

Bipin K.

“Home Genius has provided great service from the start of the project until the end. From the moment I met Brady Phillips, the home remodeling expert, my experience has been amazing! He explained everything from the products that would be used, of my choice until the end of the project. I really loved the professionalism and consideration of the workers and also the project manager. The project manager notified me of every step. I appreciate the workmanship. Thank you again Home Genius and I have already begun recommending this company!”

Sharnita A

“Home Genius Exteriors replaced my entire roof and they were absolutely amazing. They were professional, did quality work, and had great customer service. We had missing shingles and Home Genius was able to complete our roof in less than a week from the estimate! Melissa did the estimate and was very knowledgeable and helped us make the best decision for our home. Casey was the project manager and she communicated all the information we needed, was on top of everything with the project, and was even helping clean up after the work was complete to make sure the yard was safe for my kids. Would definitely recommend Home Genius 10/10 they went the extra mile!”

Catherine G.

“Casey is amazing and totally sold me on my new roof. She covered all bases with her knowledge of each aspect of the job and really made me feel at ease. The crew worked quickly and got the job done over two days. Minor cosmetic concerns were promptly dealt with. All in all I can’t really complain and they will see more business from me in the future!”

James P.

“Met today with Sam. He was very knowledgeable, professional and forthcoming about what we needed to have a complete, safe and professional job completed in a very timely manner. He spent 6 hours with us making sure we were 100% satisfied and comfortable with everything. I would definitely recommend this company in the future!!”

Suzanne R.

“I’m very impressed with Home Genius Exteriors. From the sales opportunity, to ordering, and finally execution everything was smooth sailing. Rob, who sold us our roof, was educated on the product and process. He answered all my detailed questions with patience. A special comment must be left for our Project Manager, Mike, who went above and beyond in every way. He was always available, answers all our questions, thoroughly reviewed the work was done, and even let us know that he is available after the project with any questions. You can tell he truly takes pride in his work. I have worked with others, and so has my family, and I’ll tell you right now we’re sticking with Home Genius Exteriors for all future projects due to Mike’s customer service. Highly recommended company to work with! Our roof is gorgeous.”

Anthony L.

“Sam from Home Genius Exteriors came out to our home. He was professional, incredibly thorough, patient, and friendly. He answered all of our questions. We went with Home Genius Exteriors on the spot. We had such peace of mind knowing the work would be completed with quality and care! Highly recommend!!”

Thespina G.