Most homeowners end up choosing between an architectural shingle and a 3-tab shingle. Both work. The question is which one fits your roof and your plans for the home.
What Each Shingle Type Is
An architectural shingle is also called a laminated shingle. It’s built from two or more layers bonded together. That layered build adds thickness and creates deeper shadow lines on the roof.
A 3-tab shingle is the flatter, traditional style. It’s a single layer with three repeating tabs along the bottom edge. The look is clean and uniform, and the upfront price is often lower.
Why East Tennessee Often Favors Architectural Shingles
We’re not trying to push you into the priciest option. We’re looking at what tends to hold up best in our weather.
In many product lines, architectural shingles bring advantages that matter here:
- Thicker construction that handles seasonal temperature swings better.
- Higher published wind warranty levels than basic strip shingles.
- Longer algae resistance coverage, which helps in humid and shaded spots.
Warranty terms can be upgradeable and may depend on matching accessories and correct installation. That’s why the shingle choice and the roof system go together.
CertainTeed And Owens Corning: What The Specs Point To
We install multiple brands, but CertainTeed is our most common pick for asphalt roofing. Owens Corning is another strong option, especially in architectural lines built around a reinforced nailing zone.
CertainTeed Landmark
CertainTeed Landmark is a laminated architectural shingle with a dual-layer build. It’s positioned with a limited lifetime warranty, a 110 mph wind warranty that can be upgraded, and algae resistance. CertainTeed also highlights its sealant and bonding approach for wind uplift and layer separation concerns.
Owens Corning Duration
Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration is an architectural shingle that emphasizes its SureNail nailing strip and published 130 mph wind warranty levels. Many Duration materials also highlight longer algae resistance coverage than typical 3-tab lines.
When A 3-Tab Shingle Still Makes Sense
A 3-tab shingle can still be a good call if budget is tight and the roof design is simple. We also see it on rentals and outbuildings where you’re focused on controlling costs. In some repair situations, matching what’s already on the roof can matter, too.
How We Help You Pick The Right Roof System
We keep it simple and direct. We’ll walk the roof, look for ventilation and deck issues, and talk through what you want the roof to do over the next 10 to 20 years.
If you want to get familiar with options, start with our asphalt roofing overview. If you like knowing the steps before work starts, read what to expect during the roofing process. When you’re ready to talk shingles and scheduling, you can contact Mountain View Exteriors.
A Practical Way To Decide
If you want a longer-run roof with stronger published wind and algae coverage in many product lines, an architectural shingle is usually the better fit for East Tennessee. We’ll help you compare CertainTeed and Owens Corning options side by side and choose what fits your home.