How each one is made
Among the types of shingles in asphalt, three-tab and architectural differ first in their construction.
Three-tab is a strip of constant thickness. Two slots cut it into three tabs. The roof has the same thickness everywhere, and each tab forms a small flap the wind can catch.
Architectural, also called laminated, is made of two pieces. A full layer serves as the base. On top, the factory bonds a second layer cut into uneven tabs. Where the two overlap, the shingle is clearly thicker. No slot runs through its exposed part.
Facing a gust
Wind attacks a shingle at its lower edge. A gust lifts the shingle, makes it flap, and the adhesive strip holding it eventually lets go. A light, flexible shingle flaps more.
Architectural has two things going for it. Its mass holds it flat. Its stiffness keeps it from folding back when air rushes underneath. Manufacturers generally give it a higher wind resistance rating than three-tab. The exact figure is on the product's technical data sheet.
The nails decide the rest
The best shingle holds no better than its installation. Three things count: the number of nails, their position on the nailing line and the time given to the adhesive strips to set. A nail driven too high holds the shingle poorly, whatever its family.
What the eye sees
Three-tab draws a regular pattern, with slots that line up every other course. A crooked course jumps out, and so does a bump in the deck.
Architectural breaks that regularity. Its tabs are not all the same width, and its shades vary from one piece to another. The shadows they cast recall wood shakes, and the roof looks thicker. Small defects in the deck blend into the texture.
Three reasons to still install three-tab
Architectural is often the first choice today. Three-tab still remains the right product in some situations.
- The roof is already covered with it. To change a few shingles, the same type is used. Otherwise, the repair shows.
- The building is secondary. On a shed or a detached garage, budget often comes before looks.
- The house was designed that way. On some houses, the flat surface is part of the character.
Frequently asked questions
Is paying more for architectural worth it?
Paying more for architectural is often worth it. In the price of a roof, labour, tear-off and accessories account for a lot. The difference in material weighs little. The extra cost generally buys a roof that resists wind better and ages more slowly.
My roof is three-tab. Can I redo it in architectural?
Yes, a three-tab roof can be redone in architectural when it is fully replaced. Architectural is heavier, and we check the framing when in doubt. If a contractor offers to install the new over the old without tearing off, the deck will stay hidden. Then ask how they know its condition.
Laminated, architectural, dimensional: is there a difference?
None: the three words refer to the two-layer shingle. Each manufacturer names its lines its own way, but the construction does not change.