Laminated vs Asphalt Shingles: A Comprehensive Comparison

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Black stairway with railing located in corridor of modern light spacious apartment with doors and laminate floor and glowing lamps
Credit: pexels.com, Black stairway with railing located in corridor of modern light spacious apartment with doors and laminate floor and glowing lamps

Laminated shingles are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, with a minimum of 110 mph wind resistance.

Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, have a maximum wind resistance of 90 mph, making them less suitable for areas prone to severe weather.

Laminated shingles are made with multiple layers of asphalt and fiberglass, which provides added strength and durability compared to asphalt shingles.

Asphalt shingles are typically made with a single layer of asphalt and a fiberglass mat.

What Are Laminated and Asphalt Shingles?

Laminated shingles are made with multiple layers of asphalt and fiberglass, which provides added strength and durability.

They are designed to be more resistant to wind and weather damage, with some laminated shingles rated to withstand winds of up to 130 miles per hour.

Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, are made from a single layer of asphalt and are often less expensive than laminated shingles.

What Are Laminated Shingles

Credit: youtube.com, What Are Laminated Shingles And What Are The Benefits?

Laminated shingles are made from multiple layers of asphalt and fiberglass, which provides added strength and durability. This construction helps them withstand harsh weather conditions.

They are also known as architectural shingles, which is a testament to their layered design. Each layer is carefully applied to create a sturdy and long-lasting roof.

Laminated shingles can last up to 30 years, depending on the quality and maintenance. This is significantly longer than traditional asphalt shingles.

The multiple layers of laminated shingles also help to reduce noise from rain and hail. This can be a significant advantage for homeowners who value a quieter living space.

Laminated shingles are available in a wide range of colors and styles to suit different tastes and architectural designs.

What Are Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material used in residential and commercial buildings.

They're made from a mixture of asphalt, fiberglass, and minerals, which provides strength and durability to the shingle.

Credit: youtube.com, What Are Laminated Shingles And What Are The Benefits?

Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and styles to suit different architectural designs and personal preferences.

The most common type of asphalt shingle is the three-tab shingle, which has three tabs or sections that overlap each other to provide a watertight seal.

These shingles are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making them a popular choice for homeowners.

Asphalt shingles are also known for their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.

They're designed to last for 20 to 30 years, depending on the quality of the shingle and the installation.

Asphalt shingles are also recyclable, which makes them a more environmentally friendly option compared to other roofing materials.

Composition and Appearance

Laminated shingles are made of multiple layers of asphalt, making them thicker and heavier than asphalt shingles. This added layer of protection increases their durability and longevity.

Architectural shingles have a distinctive dimensional appearance, with a layered or textured look that mimics natural materials like wood shakes or slate. They can be made to resemble various materials, including wood shakes, slate, and even tile.

You might enjoy: Wood Shingle Roofing

Credit: youtube.com, 3 Tab vs Architectural Shingles | What's the Difference?

Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, have a flat and uniform look, which can be a drawback for some homeowners. However, they are available in a variety of colors and can be made to match the look and feel of any home.

Architectural shingles are typically composed of higher-quality materials, making them thicker and more durable than asphalt shingles. They also use stronger adhesives and a larger quantity of finer granules tightly packed together, which increases their longevity and durability.

Composition

Composition shingles are primarily made of asphalt, which serves as a waterproofing agent.

They can also be made with a variety of other materials, including fiberglass, organic felt, and mineral granules, which provide strength, durability, and protection from the elements.

Architectural shingles, on the other hand, have an additional layer of asphalt and built-in granules, making them thicker, heavier, and more durable than 3-tab shingles.

3-tab shingles, by contrast, are made almost entirely from asphalt, which helps to keep their cost down but at the expense of longevity.

For another approach, see: 3 Tab Shingle vs Architectural Shingle

Empty spacious room with laminate and window with colorful curtains between walls with pink ornamental wallpapers and glowing white chandelier
Credit: pexels.com, Empty spacious room with laminate and window with colorful curtains between walls with pink ornamental wallpapers and glowing white chandelier

The added layer and materials in architectural shingles also make them thicker than 3-tab shingles, and they tend to use stronger adhesives and a larger quantity of finer granules tightly packed together.

This combination of materials and construction makes architectural shingles more durable and long-lasting than 3-tab shingles, with some lasting more than 30 years.

Composition shingles can also be made to resemble other materials, such as cedar or slate, and can come in a variety of colors, styles, and textures.

Appearance

3-tab shingles can be found in a variety of colors, making it easy to match your roof to the look and feel of your home.

Their flat appearance can result in a smooth, clean finish, but they may lack the visual interest of other shingle types.

Architectural shingles, on the other hand, offer a more dimensional appearance that can mimic the look of natural materials like wood shakes or slate.

Minimalist wooden furniture with shelves and wardrobe in spacious room with laminate floor and bright lamps
Credit: pexels.com, Minimalist wooden furniture with shelves and wardrobe in spacious room with laminate floor and bright lamps

Their textured surface and layered appearance can give your roof a more luxurious look that's hard to achieve with traditional 3-tab shingles.

Architectural shingles come in a range of styles, from wood shakes with uneven edges to smooth slate-like surfaces.

They can even be made to resemble clay or concrete tiles, perfect for finishing the look of a Mediterranean or Spanish-style home.

The layered and textured appearance of architectural shingles can add depth and visual interest to your roof, making it a great choice for homeowners who want a more unique look.

Durability and Performance

Architectural shingles can withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour, making them a great choice for areas prone to strong winds.

Most three-tab shingles, on the other hand, can only handle winds up to 70 mph, making them more vulnerable to damage.

Laminated shingles have a dense layered build that makes them more resistant to hail and wind, with an average wind resistance of 130 mph.

Credit: youtube.com, Consumer Reports: The best asphalt shingles for your roof

This added durability means laminated shingles can last significantly longer than three-tab shingles, with some lasting up to 30 years with proper care and maintenance.

In fact, most laminated shingles come with warranties ranging from 25 to 50 years, depending on the manufacturer, giving homeowners peace of mind.

The increased durability of laminated shingles also makes them more resistant to algae and moisture, thanks to the copper and zinc compound in their granules.

Durability

Architectural shingles can withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour, making them a great choice for areas prone to strong winds.

Their durability is also a major advantage, with a lifespan of up to 30 years with proper care and maintenance.

Three-tab shingles, on the other hand, can only withstand winds up to 70 mph and typically need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years.

Their lightweight construction makes them more vulnerable to wind and hail, which can lead to costly repairs.

Interior of modern spacious light room with wooden laminate floor white walls and panoramic windows
Credit: pexels.com, Interior of modern spacious light room with wooden laminate floor white walls and panoramic windows

Laminated shingles have a dense layered build that makes them resistant to hail and wind, with an average wind resistance of around 130 mph.

Their granules also contain a copper and zinc compound that resists algae and moisture, leading to a longer lifespan.

In fact, architectural shingles are almost twice as wind-resistant as 3-tab shingles, making them a safer choice for homeowners.

Their thicker construction and stronger adhesives also make them more resistant to wind, with a rating of up to 120 miles per hour.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is a key factor in the durability of your roof, and architectural shingles outperform 3-tab shingles in this regard.

Similar to wind resistance, architectural shingles outperform 3-tab shingles when it comes to water resistance because they’re laminated and coated with tightly packed granules.

Ella Paolini

Writer

Ella Paolini is a seasoned writer and blogger with a passion for sharing her expertise on various topics, from lifestyle to travel. With over five years of experience in the industry, she has honed her writing skills and developed a unique voice that resonates with readers. As an avid traveler, Ella has explored many parts of the world, immersing herself in new cultures and experiences.

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