Laminated Shingles vs. 3-Tab Shingles: Which Do You Need?

Planning a roof replacement can be a daunting task for any homeowner, especially if they have absolutely no idea where to begin. Colorado Roof Toppers has been the best residential roofing contractor in Longmont, CO, for more than 40 years, helping homeowners choose the right roofing materials for their homes.

Choosing Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles can be categorized into main groups - laminated shingles, and 3-tab shingles. Your choice of which type to install depends mostly on your preferences, but many homeowners find it simpler if they base their decision on a few key factors: cost, roof shape, style and color.

Laminated Shingles

Laminated shingles give character to any roof and fit almost any existing gutter installation style that you might already have. Also called dimensional or architectural shingles, the seeming random sizes of their cutouts give these shingles a look reminiscent of wood shakes.

The fiberglass reinforced asphalt is laminated between two layers of protective covering, giving them a thicker and heavier finish. This allows laminated shingles to be more durable in the long-term, and be covered by longer warranties from many manufacturers.

Three-Tab Shingles

At first glance, three-tab shingles look like the less luxurious cousin to the laminated shingle, but they are just as durable thanks to the same fiberglass reinforcement in the asphalt layer. Three-tab shingle uniform cutouts can give your roof a much cleaner look, perfect for homes with seamless gutters.

Cost-wise, 3-tab shingles use fewer materials than laminated shingles, making them more reasonably priced compared to other types of roofing. Additionally, they are also much lighter to install, which expands the number of homes that can support this particular type. Three-tab shingles remain the most popular type of roofing among many homes due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness.

We Can Help You Find the Right Roof

Colorado Roof Toppers have helped many homes over the years and will be more than happy to help you find the right roof for your home. Call us today at (303) 622-0305 or (303) 622-0305 or fill out our online contact form to get a free estimate. We serve Longmont, CO, and surrounding areas.

by Denise Bart January 30, 2019
Roofing