Are you building a new house or planning to replace your roof and wondering which roof type to choose? If yes, you have come to the right place. In this article, we have compared different roof types.

Generally, there are two most popular types of shingles that residential and commercial roofing companies will use, these are laminate and asphalt shingles. You must know the differences between them so that you will be able to choose the roof shingles for your roof.

Are laminate shingles and architectural shingles the same thing?

Laminate Shingles: A.K.A. “Architectural Shingles”

The laminate shingles are also called as architectural shingles or laminated architectural shingles. It is a type of asphalt shingle. It has heavier base mat and multiple layers of a refined type of asphalt. These shingles tabs are in different sizes and shapes.

Asphalt Shingles:

The asphalt shingles are also called as “3-tab” shingles. These shingles are flat with only one shingle tab. It is very easy to install them and it requires less maintenance. It also has higher fire rating when compared to the organic types.

What is the difference between architectural shingles and asphalt shingles?

Cost:

The asphalt shingles are lighter than the architectural shingles since it consists of lesser material. The cost is also less when compared to the architectural shingles. And the asphalt shingles takes more time to install than the architectural shingles. But the roofing companies generally charge the same amount for repairing both. So the cost is the same for both types.

Warranty:

Generally, the warranty will differ from one brand to the other.

But however, asphalt shingles or 3- tab shingles will have a warranty for 20 to 30 years. So, you must be aware of one thing, that the manufacturers can even cheat you by giving high warranty period for this type of shingles which is not worth it.

The architectural shingles are heavy and strong so they last longer than the asphalt shingles. They have a warranty for 30 to 50 years. Some manufacturers even give lifetime warranty for this type.

So the architectural shingles have more warranty than the asphalt shingles.

Durability:

Since the asphalt or 3 tab shingles are lighter in weight they don’t have a long lifespan and they don’t withstand any stormy weather conditions. But the architectural shingles are very strong and heavier so they are not vulnerable to wind and so they can withstand stormy conditions.

The architectural shingles have the capacity to retain their appearance for a long time. So they extend the lifespan of your roof for a long time.

So again the architectural shingles are more durable than the asphalt shingles.

Long-Term Cost:

The asphalt shingles do not last for a longer time. So after a few decades, you need to replace them. But the laminate shingles have a long lifespan so it is worth spending money on installing this type. This will also save money in future maintenance.

So here the winner is laminated architectural shingles.

Appearance

The asphalt shingles look very simple but the architectural shingles have a dimensional look and it is very pleasing to see. It has a design which is completely different from asphalt shingles. It can also be styled along with other materials to improve the appearance of your house and you can save money instead of spending the excess amounts on expensive roof types.

Resale Value:

Since the architectural shingles are more durable and look very appealing to your eyes, it adds more value to your house while selling it. In fact, the asphalt shingles are outdated and many house owners started replacing it with laminated shingles.

Are laminate shingles any good?

As far as we have researched, we find that the architectural or architectural shingles are better when compared to the asphalt shingles. It has durability, high resale value, good appearance, and long lifespan. These are the main thing you must look for when selecting the roof type for your house. But still, you need to consult a professional to decide which one is better for your house.