Architectural — also called laminated or dimensional — shingles are built from two or more bonded layers. The extra thickness casts a shadow line that reads as depth from the ground, and it doubles the material at the point where wind gets under a shingle.
In practice this buys roughly a decade of extra life and a materially better wind rating for about half again the cost of three-tab. That trade is why it has become the standard specification on most American homes.
It is also the material this estimator defaults to, because for the majority of houses it is the correct answer and starting anywhere else would be leading you somewhere.
The trade-off, honestly
What it gives you
- 25 to 30 year life
- Higher wind rating
- Depth and shadow from the street
- Enormous colour range
What it costs you
- Heavier than three-tab
- Still a petroleum product with a finite life
Best for
Most family homes, and any replacement you intend to be the last for 25 years.
Price it on your roofYou click. We climb. Deal?
Tell us what you need and we will handle the rest. No ladders required on your part.
