Premium vs. 3-Tab vs. Dimensional Shingles: What’s the Difference?
Homeowners who need their roofs replaced often make a common mistake. They choose either the cheapest roofing material available or whatever material is proposed by the latest sales rep who knocks on their door. So how do you identify the best type of roofing for YOUR Texas home?
There’s a huge benefit in taking the time to carefully consider the best roof type for your home, not just for functionality, but curb appeal as well. Following are some popular roofing solutions for your consideration.
Asphalt roofing shingles are the most commonly used roofing material on residential properties. Their primary purpose is to waterproof the home. Asphalt also helps hold roofing granules in place and adds to the strength and durability of the shingle. The best type of asphalt remains flexible and resists drying out or becoming hard or brittle for the expected life of the roof. There are three main types of asphalt roofing shingles available on the market.
Premium Asphalt Roofing Shingles
These shingles are typically laminated shingles with an upscale appearance and/or functionality to traditional dimensional asphalt shingles. They are often designed to mimic old-world shingles, such as natural shake or slate shingles.
These shingles may also have important functional enhancements such as solar reflectivity or impact resistance that can potentially provide lower energy costs or extend the life of the roofing system.
Strip Asphalt Roofing Shingles (3-tab)
These are single-layered asphalt shingles designed to look like slate. They are normally the lightest weight asphalt shingles available. Due to their durable fiberglass base construction, these shingles provide premium wind resistance. They are used primarily by home builders constructing economy-priced homes or as replacement shingles for homes with existing strip shingles.
Dimensional Asphalt Roofing Shingles
These roofing shingles are multi-layered products, providing a multi-dimensional look. Dimensional shingles are typically heavier than strip roofing shingles and usually have better warranty protections, ranging from 30 years to lifetime.
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