What Are Architectural Shingles? Here’s What to Know

If you’re interested in asphalt shingles for your roof, you may wonder—what are architectural shingles? Also known as laminated or dimensional shingles, this roofing option is a high-end way to recreate a more durable version of some of your favorite roofing styles. Attractive and functional, these dimensional shingles come in a variety of shingle styles and colors to recreate perennial favorites like slate, cedar shake, and more.

But their durability and character come at a cost. While topping a roof with traditional shingles can run a homeowner anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000, architectural shingles usually cost about 15% more. But don’t discount them yet; for many, the benefits of architectural shingles outweigh the cost. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are Architectural Shingles Made Of?

Made popular in the 1980’s, architectural roof shingles are made from a mix of a heavy fiberglass mat base and ceramic-coated mineral granules. These materials are then embedded into a water-resistant asphalt mix and shaped and colored to resemble a variety of popular roofing styles. Unlike more traditional three-tab shingles, these dimensional options can give your roof a more unique and stylized look, and avoid duplicating the repetitive nature of common asphalt shingles. Which makes them perfect for homeowners who really want their home to stand out, from top to bottom.

Pros and Cons of Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles are a great pick for anyone who loves the look of a certain shingle style, like slate, but prefers something a bit more sturdy. 

Architectural shingles may cost more than alternatives, but their enhanced durability and lengthy life span merit the higher price tag. This pick comes in many different styles, so it’s not hard to find an option for your set-up. Not to mention, little to no maintenance is required once they’re installed. Damages from extreme weather like hail, heavy snow, or rainfall are also less likely to occur in the first place, but easy to fix if they do. 

All that said, there are a couple of downsides to these shingles—like that they’re heavier than traditional 3-tab shingles, so they won’t work on an old house with a frail roof frame. They also take longer to install than lightweight options, which means you will pay more in labor costs on top of the pricey materials.

What’s the Difference Between Architectural Shingles and 3-Tab Shingles?

Let’s break down the differences between these two types of shingles. We factor in visual appeal, durability, longevity, and costs.

Although both 3-tab and architectural shingles are made of asphalt, their similarities end there. Architectural shingles come in many more styles, colors, shapes, and sizes, and it’s easier to find an option within this category that suits your home’s appearance. By contrast, 3-tab shingles are flatter and restricted to gray color schemes. 

Architectural shingles weigh more than 3-tab shingles, at between 65 to 80 pounds per bundle, which is one of the characteristics that makes them so sturdy. They also stand up to the elements better than 3-tab and resist roof blistering.

How Long Do Architectural Shingles Last?

With proper maintenance, architectural shingles last between 30 and 50 years. Manufacturers and installers tend to stand behind the quality of architectural shingles—so much so that these roofs often come with longer warranties than their asphalt counterparts. 

How Much Do Architectural Shingles Cost?

Architectural shingles cost less than the roofing materials they often mimic, like slate and cedar shakes. Expect to pay between $100 and $300 per square foot for materials, plus $40 to $80 hourly to hire a professional roofer near you. 

Architectural Shingle Alternatives

If durability and versatility are what you’re after, architectural shingles aren’t your only option. Material like composite and metal shingles come in just as many styles and provide similarly long life spans, too. 

Slate shingles: Made from slabs of natural slate or other stone, these shingles are dark, durable, and irregularly shaped. They’re also pricey: Homeowners will pay around $5,900 to $23,600 for a slate roof. 

Cedar shakes: Real cedar shake roofing tiles are rectangular pieces of wood laid with a slightly raised look, giving homes a more rustic, natural vibe with plenty of rough edges and non-uniform pieces. Homeowners can expect to pay $6 to $9.50 per square foot when installing a new cedar shake roof.

Composite shingles: This roofing option is made from a combination of synthetic and recycled materials (like slate, wood, and laminate). It looks and performs similarly to architectural shingles but at a higher price—between $10,000 and $42,000 for an entire project.

Metal shingles: Like architectural shingles, this roofing option can mimic a number of different styles, like stone-coated steel shingles. They also have similarly long life spans but cost more—between $700 and $2,200 per square, depending on the type of metal used.

Rubber shingles: Made from recycled rubber, these shingles can also mimic other styles, but not quite as many as architectural shingles. Plus, despite their similar heaviness, rubber shingles don’t have a life span quite as long—between 15 and 25 years. 

Lauren Wellbank contributed to this piece.