Replacing your roof represents quite an investment. In fact, it’s one of the largest single investments a homeowner will make in the value of his or her property in a lifetime. For that reason, many homeowners prefer to choose the most cost-effective roofing material option in the short-term, which is usually 3-tab asphalt shingles. However, when viewed in the long term, there’s a potentially wiser investment that homeowners can make in their roofing materials in the form of architectural shingles.
Architectural, or dimensional shingles represent an upgrade over the traditional 3-tab shingle in many ways. They’re more attractive, more durable, and add value to your home. Because of their extended lifespan and upgraded level of durability, the additional cost of installing architectural shingles on your residence or business is mitigated over the long term, making them a tremendous value. Keep reading to learn more about why you should consider architectural shingles for your home or business.
Durability
Architectural shingles are significantly thicker than traditional 3-tab shingles, which makes them inherently stronger when confronted with the forces that usually result in roof damage. Their additional thickness makes them less prone to tearing. They’re also more resilient when it comes to UV light exposure and the effects of aging, which can make standard asphalt shingles more brittle over time.
Extended Lifespan
While standard asphalt shingles usually carry a 20- to 30-year guarantee, the lifespan of an architectural shingle is much longer. Architectural shingles are constructed to last for much of a homeowner’s lifetime, which means that some are guaranteed for up to 50 years of service. That’s a tremendous amount of time to withstand full exposure to the elements, which provides an indication of the quality and resilience of architectural shingles when compared to their standard asphalt counterparts.
Curb Appeal
Because they’re thicker and more robust, architectural shingles also have an enhanced appearance when compared to asphalt shingles. Many people like the sharp clean lines of a newly installed roof, and with architectural shingles, the appearance is even more eye-catching due to its depth and dimensional nature. Some architectural shingles come cut in 3-dimentional patterns that can lend a totally new look to your home. Many architectural shingles are also engineered with protective coatings that prevent them from fading over time or stain fighting technology that can prevent them from showing the effects of algae or stains from nearby trees.
Disaster Resistant
Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of homeowners more than the thought of having their home ripped asunder by disasters such as fire or severe weather. In this regard, architectural shingles can provide something of a security blanket for your home or business due to their ability to resist several common causes of property damage. They are more fire resistant than standard asphalt shingles, which means that they can fight off embers from nearby structural fires or wildfires. They are also more wind resistant than standard shingles, with many of them rated to withstand hurricane force winds without becoming compromised. Even hailstorms are no match for architectural shingles, since many brands are designed to take a beating from hail without tearing or being significantly damaged.
If you’re preparing to replace the roof of your home, it pays to consider the option of architectural shingles to give your new roof an extra pop of curb appeal, an extended lifespan, and the ability to withstand everything nature can throw at it. To learn more about the reasons to consider architectural shingles for your next shingle or roof replacement, contact Superior Roofing of Georgia at (770) 279-2621.