Types of Asphalt Shingles and Pros and Cons of Each

Learn which one is best for your home

woman looking at asphalt roof samples for house
Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock
woman looking at asphalt roof samples for house
Photo: Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock
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Asphalt roof shingles are the most common roofing material in the United States thanks to their low cost and durability. It's not out of the question to expect your new shingle roof to last for 40 years—if you get the right asphalt shingling installed by the right contractor. Of course, that means narrowing down what the right shingling is for your specific home. Learn about the types of asphalt shingles available for your roofing job.

What Are Asphalt Shingles?

Asphalt shingles are a popular type of roofing material made from a base material that’s coated with asphalt and other mineral granules. Asphalt is a popular choice for shingles because they’re affordable, easy to install, and come in a variety of colors and styles. Asphalt shingles can protect homes from weather like rain, ice, and snow. Plus, they can be used across different climates, making them a good fit for many homeowners.

There are different types of asphalt shingles based on size, style, and materials.

Types of Asphalt Roof Shingles

Asphalt shingles may be the most common and inexpensive roofing material available, but that doesn’t mean they’re one-size-fits-all. Asphalt shingles come in a wide range of styles and compositions.

1. Three-Tab Shingles

example of three tab shingles for roof
Photo: Edlits / Getty Images

Three-tab shingles get their name because each shingle actually looks like three different pieces on your roof.

ProsCons
Requires less supportLess durable
Easy installationShorter life span
AffordableFewer styles

Three-tab shingles cost an average $300 per square. With the average roof size around 1,500 square feet, expect to pay between $4,050 and $5,100 for professional installation.

While three-tab is the most affordable option, homeowners should keep in mind that this option has a shorter life span than competing architectural shingles. Three-tab shingles last an average of 12 to 15 years in mild climates but only seven to 10 years when regularly exposed to rough weather. Architectural shingles, by comparison, have an average life span of 20 years or more, even under heavy weathering.

2. Architectural Shingles

example of Architectural Shingles for roof
Photo: JamesYetMingAu-Photography / Getty Images

Thick and durable, architectural shingles are considered premium products. Most architectural shingles are twice as thick as three-tab shingles. They are considered "designer" because they can be customized to look like high-end materials like cedar.

Architectural shingles don't contain the cutouts that you see with three-tab shingles. They are instead laminated with an asphalt layer.

ProsCons
20 to 50-year life spanMore expensive
Resistant to shingle curlingHeavy weight
Aesthetic appealRequires more support

Bonded layers of this style create strong waterproofing and a wind rating of up to 130 miles per hour, similar to that of an impact-resistant roof. However, architectural asphalt shingles aren't the best for low-sloping roofs because performance suffers in wind-driven storms and there’s a high potential for water intrusion.

Homeowners will pay an average $900 per square for architectural shingles, including installation, with the full range running between $300 and $1,500 and up.

3. Luxury Shingles

In style, durability, curb appeal, and cost, luxury shingles (also called 3D shingles) stand a level above traditional shingles. Made from a mixture of asphalt and fiberglass, they are molded into a thick, rounded, dimensional shape that appears similar to high-end wood shake or slate shingles. These shingles are thick enough to enhance energy efficiency.

ProsCons
30-year life spanExpensive
Often come with warrantiesDon’t last as long as high-end fiberglass shingles
Thick enough to enhance energy efficiencyMay require additional support

Luxury shingles can cost between $6 and $10 per square foot, depending on the brand, and factors like your location and the pitch of your roof. 

How Much Do Asphalt Shingles Cost?

Depending on the type of asphalt you choose, the condition of your roof, and your location, the average cost of asphalt shingles falls between $350 and $550 per roofing square (100 square feet of roof). That compares against heavier, more expensive roofing options, such as slate and clay, for which homeowners pay between $2,000 and $3,000 per square.  

Keep in mind that if you’re replacing your old roof, you should expect to shoulder additional costs. The typical range of total costs for roof replacement is between $5,760 and $12,500. Removal of the existing roof adds an average $1,250 to your bill. 

One of the benefits of asphalt roofing is that you can actually select high-end tiles that recreate the look of custom, artisan roofing materials using the affordability, availability, and sturdiness of asphalt.

It's also very easy to find roofing contractors in your area offering a wide range of asphalt roofing options because this is the go-to roof choice across the country.

How to Choose the Right Type of Asphalt Shingles

man installing asphalt shingles on roof of home
Photo: brizmaker / Adobe Stock

Once you're ready to get quotes from trusted roofing companies, it's all about weighing cost, performance, and aesthetics when choosing the right asphalt shingles for your home.

Angi Tip

The many factors that play into choosing a roofing material may surprise you, such as durability, cost, style, and the climate in which you live. Many homeowners choose asphalt, but there are various types on the market. A roofer can advise you on the best materials for your home and region.

Samantha Velez
Content Editor, Angi

If the focus is aesthetics, architectural shingles will give you more styles and colors to choose from.

If you need a budget option because your roof is on the verge of catastrophe, three-tab asphalt shingles are great for being able to afford a new roof now. This does mean you’ll need to replace them sooner.

When roofing pros install your roof, you benefit from expert advice, installation, and company warranties. 

Local roofing pros also understand how to follow a manufacturer’s recommendations during installation. This can be tough for homeowners attempting DIY roofing because failing to follow the right guidelines during installation can create a faulty roof. A shoddy installation could even nullify a manufacturer’s roofing warranty. The last thing you want is to damage your home by letting in moisture and mold because of faulty or incomplete roof installation.

Knowing how to choose the right asphalt roof installed by the right contractor using the right professional tools is the secret to getting a beautiful roof that offers protection, ventilation, and value for decades to come.

Scott Dylan Westerlund and  C.E. Larusso contributed to this piece.

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