What roofing material should you choose for your home or business? Selecting a material from the various types of roofing available out there is tricky. You will need to understand your options to make the best decision for your home, budget, and aesthetic desires.
Keep reading for a closer look at two common roof shingle types: 3-tab and laminate. Once you’ve decided which type of shingle is best for your new roof, let our roofing team take care of you.
Is it time to replace your Central Illinois roof? Contact Sundown Exteriors, the best roofing company in Bloomington, about installing your new roof. As a five-star CertainTeed Select Shinglemaster and Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, our team proudly serves Bloomington, Normal, and Lincoln, Illinois. Call today at (309) 275-6801 for a free estimate.
Read on to decide if 3-tab shingles or dimensional laminate shingles might be a good fit for your roofing needs and budget.
What Are 3-Tab Roofing Shingles?
Typical asphalt shingles are 3-tab shingles. This asphalt shingle is lightweight, flat, and uniform in size and shape.
What Are Laminate Shingles?
Laminate shingles are a subtype of asphalt shingles, also known as architectural or dimensional, that are made from two layers bonded together, so they are thicker and useful as design elements. They create a three-dimensional pattern using different shapes and sizes.
Comparing Architectural Shingles to 3-Tab Shingles
Three-tab and laminate (architectural) are different types of asphalt shingles. Although they are composed of similar materials, they differ in durability, cost, and other factors.
A simple asphalt shingle has three layers: the fiberglass backer, the asphalt adhesive, and the protective granules. When comparing 3-tab roofing shingles to dimensional laminate shingles, these same materials comprise both types of shingles. However, each type offers homeowners different drawbacks and benefits.
Structure and Composition
These two shingle types use the same general materials but in different ways. In general, laminate (architectural or dimensional) fiberglass shingles use higher quality asphalt, two bonded layers of shingle material to create a thicker, heavier shingle, and more granules for a more robust shingle.
Wind Resistance
Roofing shingles contend with all types of weather, but wind can be one of the most significant when it comes to possible damage. Because they are heavier and sturdier, laminate shingles tend to hold up better to higher winds than 3-tab shingles do.
Laminates are typically rated for 110 mph winds, and up to 130 mph with special installation, whereas the thinner, lighter 3-tab shingles are typically rated for 60 mph. Because of this, 3-tab shingles are more likely to get ripped away by strong winds.
Durability and Lifespan
Laminate shingles are heavier and thicker, so they typically outlast 3-tab shingles. Under optimal conditions (minimal wind, rain, snow, ice, and sun), a laminate roof will last up to 30 years, which is twice the average lifespan of a 3-tab roof. In Central Illinois, architectural (laminate) shingles typically last 20 to 30 years, while 3-tab shingles typically last 15 to 20 years.
Initial and Long-Term Costs
As you may expect, laminate shingles can be more expensive to install than their 3-tab counterparts, but 3-tabs will require more maintenance as the roof ages. These two options balance out with laminate shingles costing more upfront and 3-tab shingles costing more over time, as repairs and replacements become necessary.
Aesthetic Appearance
Which type of shingle you choose for your roof may depend more on the desired appearance than any other factors. If you’re looking for a flat, uniform aesthetic, a 3-tab roof will suit you better than laminate. On the other hand, laminate will provide you with a more dynamic, architectural look with shingles of varying sizes.
In general, laminate shingles offer a more durable, longer-lasting roof. They are thicker, heavier, and more resistant to wind and other weather conditions.
Professional Laminate and 3-Tab Roof Shingle Installation
We’ve covered the basics in this article, but if you have further questions about choosing 3-tab shingles versus dimensional laminate shingles, our team at Sundown Exteriors can answer them to help you make an informed decision regarding what type of shingle to use on your new roof.
Contact our residential roofing professionals at Sundown Exteriors through our website or by calling us at (309) 275-6801 for a free estimate. We serve the roofing needs of property owners in Bloomington, Lincoln, and Normal, IL.
