roofing

The Ultimate Guide to Architectural Shingles: Costs, Top Brands

Vocab Moment: To nip in the bud any potential confusion, architectural shingles are also called fiberglass, dimensional and laminate shingles, or a combination such as fiberglass laminate shingles. Top of the line architectural shingles are referred to as luxury, premium and designer shingles.

All these terms refer to the same type of asphalt shingles, and the reason for each name should become clear as we proceed.

Architectural Shingles vs. 3-tab Shingles

This is often the first decision homeowners think through. Let’s consider the specifics of cost, construction, and durability, so you’ll understand exactly what your choices are in the 3-tab vs architectural shingles debate.

IKO Armourshake WeatheredStone premium shingles roof – Source: Iko

Architectural shingles last 33% to 100% longer and cost 15% to 100% more depending on which products you are comparing. While the initial cost is higher, the better longevity means the lifetime value of dimensional shingles – cost per year of use – is roughly the same as 3-tab shingles.

Most homeowners believe that architectural shingles look better than 3-tabs which look flattish. The 3D look of architectural shingles is stemming from their raised profile, which better mimics cedar shakes and stone slate roofing tiles.

Now, let’s delve into specifics with respect to cost, durability, longevity, and more.

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3-in-1 Solar Roof Cost & Comparisons – The Ultimate Guide

A 3-in-1 solar roof gets its name because it has been designed to accomplish three functions: insulation, protection, and solar power generation. – This means you can get a roofing system capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions like hurricane winds and hail, while helping you save energy in two ways:

By providing insulation, the insulation baked into the 3-in-1 roof makes indoor spaces more comfortable while reducing your heating and cooling costs. At the same time, 3-in-1 roof tiles generate electricity with built-in photovoltaic cells, lowering your monthly power bills.

When using the 3-in-1 roof, you also get a wide variety of design options. There are many shingle types and colors available, so you can choose a roof design that matches the rest of your home.

You can also choose between exposed solar shingles, which have a higher productivity, or you can cover them with a semi-transparent layer that matches the shingle design.

When the photovoltaic cells are covered, their productivity decreases slightly but they become completely invisible, blending in with the rest of the roof.

Solar roofs are part of a broad product category called building integrated photovoltaics or BIPV.

Unlike traditional solar panels, which are attached to the roof structure using a racking system, BIPV products are designed to become part of your building.

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CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles Costs & Comparison

CertainTeed roofing shingles are known for superior quality that comes at a premium cost. However, CertainTeed’s most popular Landmark and Landmark Pro lines offer good affordability and value, comparing favorably against flagship roofing products from GAF and Owens Corning.

CertainTeed Landmark Roof
Source: CertainTeed

Owens Corning is known for its excellent selection of mid-priced TruDefinition Duration shingles that compete against top sellers like GAF Timberline HDZ and Malarkey Vista shingles. OC produces a few premium options like Berkshire dimensional shingles, and Duration Storm (and Duration Flex) lines designed to withstand heavy weather and hailstones.

Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning also make a single, decent-quality basic line of 3-tab shingles – Owens Corning Supreme vs CertainTeed XT25 shingles.

Let’s dig into essential considerations when comparing CertainTeed and Owens Corning shingles.

Quality and Dependability

Many roofing contractors and independent testing agencies agree that CertainTeed and Owens Corning are #1 and #2 when it comes to quality – and the brands change places depending on who does the rating.

A look at the most recent Consumer Reports ratings on asphalt shingles shows that Owens Corning and CertainTeed dominate the rankings with more products than GAF, Atlas, Tamko, and IKO.

OC takes the top spot in the standard architectural shingles tier and in the luxury/premium shingles category. That’s a huge statement about the quality Owens Corning delivers and the longevity you can expect.

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