When shopping for shingles, you’ll notice various options available that range in price and durability. It may seem easy to go with the cheaper alternative, 3-tab shingles, over architectural shingles since they look very similar, but not all asphalt shingles are the same. Architectural shingles are recommended for New Jersey homeowners because they can often survive extreme winds, ice dams, wind-driven rain, and hail that the New Jersey seasons can bring better than traditional 3-tab shingles.
Architectural shingle roofs are also easier to install, are more durable and offer a better warranty. Often, architectural shingles cost less across their lifespan than a basic 3-tab roof, which is why northern New Jersey homeowners often conclude that architectural shingles are a worthwhile investment for their homes.
What Exactly Are Architectural Shingles?
For decades, when people talked about asphalt shingles, they meant the 3-tab variety. These basic shingles feature a woven fiberglass mat embedded in asphalt and covered with protective mineral granules. You’ll find three “tabs” separated by quarter-inch grooves along the bottom of each shingle. Architectural shingles have now taken over as the most popular style. They are also called dimensional or compositional shingles. They feature a tough fiberglass mat laminated between two layers of asphalt and covered with protective mineral granules. This laminated design yields a thicker, more substantial product than basic 3-tab shingles.
Architectural Shingles Deliver More Value
There are several ways that architectural shingles are of better long-term value. Some of the reasons architectural shingles are the better choice include:
Architectural Shingles Are More Dimensional
3-tab shingles look flat, while architectural shingles look far more three-dimensional because of how they are constructed. As a result, architectural shingles are the more aesthetically pleasing choice.
Architectural Shingles Weigh More
Architectural shingles can weigh 50–100 percent more than their 3-tab counterparts, so you’re getting more product per square when investing in these shingles. In the tri-state region, we often experience repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and these thicker shingles tend to hold up better through the harsh NJ winters. Shingles can develop tiny cracks over time, and water in these fissures expands as it freezes, widening them over time. A thicker, heavier shingle better endures this process.
Architectural Shingles Are Less Vulnerable To Storm Damage
Tri-state homeowners understand that the weather here can be unpredictable. Hurricane-force winds and severe ice storms bring down large branches that can damage shingles on your roof. High winds alone can loosen shingles until they break or come right off. ” 3-tab shingles have a low, 60 mph wind rating, whereas GAF’s Timberline series and Owens Corning’s Duration TruDefinition Premium series have a 130 mph wind rating. For NJ homeowners who frequently experience summer storms with winds over 60 mph, 3-tab shingles simply don’t cut it anymore.
Architectural Shingles Have A Positive Impact On Property Value
The property market is hot right now, and homebuyers often prefer architectural shingles’ highly textured, more dimensional look. If the time comes to sell your home, having architectural shingles on your roof may mean a quicker sale or a better offer. Investing in high-quality shingles signals that you took good care of your home, inside and out. The warranty of architectural shingles is also a bonus for potential buyers. Architectural shingles often come with a transferable manufacturer’s warranty. Major roofing manufacturers like Owens Corning and GAF offer warranties that can be transferred to the new homeowner, ensuring the roof remains protected.
Architectural Shingles May Save Energy
When you consider re-roofing or a roof replacement, you may want to look carefully at certain types of architectural shingles that are designed to reflect more of the sun’s UV rays away from your home. Energy Star-rated products like GAF’s Timberline Cool Series shingles and Owens Corning’s Duration TruDefinition Premium Cool shingles can keep attics cooler, which can help reduce the load on cooling systems.
Architectural Shingles Come With Better Warranties
Warranty coverage is often a good indication of quality and durability. Top-of-the-line roofing manufacturers only offer lengthy warranties when they are highly confident in their products. If you learned that the warranty for one type of shingle was 2.5 times that of another, which one would you choose for your home? For example, GAF’s Silver Pledge and Golden Pledge warranties include 50-year coverage on materials when they cover architectural shingles but only 20-year coverage on the basic 3-tab variety. When you factor in the overall lifespan and reduced maintenance and repair costs, NJ homeowners typically find that an architectural shingle roof will be a better value in the long run. For example, compare a 50-year roof and a 20-year roof. The annual cost of a roof with a 20-year lifespan is $50 per $1,000 of roofing expense, while the longer-lasting 50-year roof costs just $20 per $1,000.
Benefits Of Working With A Certified Contractor
Inviting a factory-certified roofing contractor to your NJ home will ensure you receive expert information about the latest in asphalt shingles. Certification by a major roofing manufacturer like Owens Corning or GAF signals that a roofing company meets their stringent standards regarding customer service, product knowledge, and installation expertise. For example, a GAF Master Elite Contractor or an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor will possess detailed knowledge about shingles produced by these leading manufacturers and will be able to confidently answer “Yes!” when a homeowner asks, “Are architectural shingles worth the extra cost?.”
Contact Us For Prompt Assistance
Since 1977, northern NJ homeowners have trusted CRS to help them make the right choices for their roofing systems. Count on the roofing pros at CRS to provide the expertise you need when you ask, “Are architectural shingles a worthwhile investment?” CRS is a full-service roofing contractor that values its long-term business relationships with homeowners in Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties and beyond. We provide certified roof inspections, regular roof maintenance, emergency work, updated roof ventilation, structural repairs and complete roof replacements. To schedule a visit with one of our certified roof inspectors, please contact us today!
