Homeowners across New York are starting to request architectural roofing more often with their roof replacements. If you live in Albany and need to replace your roof and want to invest in a reliable roofing system that will outperform a 3-tab shingle roof, architectural roofing offers several substantial benefits you shouldn’t overlook.
Upgrading your home’s roof is a long-term investment that can benefit you in many ways. A new roof offers increased security when it comes to withstanding rain, snow, and strong winds. A new roof also boosts your property value. If you are planning to relocate, a new roof made with architectural shingles can not only enhance curb appeal but also increase buyer interest in your home over another with an older, typical 3-tab shingle roof.
In This Article
What Is Architectural Roofing?
When you think of a 3-tab shingle roof, you likely imagine the standard flat shingles that overlap, but pretty much look flat from a distance. While a well-built 3-tab shingle roof can last many years with proper upkeep, architectural shingle roofs offer much more than just increased longevity. They offer an aesthetic value that can enhance the exterior beauty of virtually any type of home.
Architectural shingles offer the traditional look of asphalt shingles with a three-dimensional appearance. The shingles are thicker and overlap one another in a more noticeable pattern, enhancing the visual interest of a roof while providing several practical benefits as well. These shingles feature heavy fiberglass construction with ceramic-coated mineral granules, tightly packed on the surface to create a very refined water-resistant surface. These shingles first hit the residential home market in the 1980s and have grown in popularity ever since while the technology behind them has continued to improve. Today, they are more affordable and more functional than ever before.
Benefits of Architectural Shingles
Many homeowners in Albany and all throughout New York are making the switch to architectural shingles for the many practical and aesthetic benefits they offer. If you’re thinking about upgrading your roof or need to replace an old or damaged roof, the following benefits should inspire you to consider choosing architectural shingles:
- Design versatility. Architectural shingles, also commonly referred to as dimensional shingles, are available in a very wide variety of design options. If you prefer the traditional look of asphalt shingle roofs, you’ll find architectural shingles in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. You can also find these shingles in a cedar shake style, mimicking the appearance of cedar wood shakes, and even slate-style tiles that look like the natural stone, but don’t come with the high price tag or typical problems that accompany natural stone roofs.
- High water resistance. Your roof’s primary job is to divert water off of and away from your home. 3-tab shingles can crack and break over time, allowing water to leak into the cracks and seep into the roof bed. Leading manufacturers of architectural shingles use advanced fabrication processes to create incredibly water-resistant roof tiles. Architectural shingles offer far superior water resistance than 3-tab shingles.
- While a well-built 3-tab shingle roof in Albany may last many years, architectural shingle roofs can last up to 30 years and typically come with a 50 year warranty. Leading manufacturers stand behind these products because of their solid construction. They withstand physical punishment much better than 3-tab shingles and do not sustain the same level of wear-and-tear from excessive sunlight, harsh weather, and do not crack or break nearly as easily as 3-tab shingles.
- Overall value. If you are replacing your roof, all New York homeowners are looking for value in their home improvement projects. Architectural shingles, while coming at a higher price point compared to 3-tab shingles, deliver a great return on investment. They require less maintenance, withstand more damage, last longer, and boost curb appeal and property value by substantial amounts.
After considering these benefits, start thinking about the type of architectural shingles that would look best on your home in New York. These shingles outperform competing products by a wide margin and offer a tremendous level of flexibility when it comes to aesthetic design.
What to Expect with Architectural Shingle Installation
When you pay for a new roof installation, the cost typically comes down to the price of the materials you choose for the roof and the labor cost for the amount of time it takes the roofing crew to install the new roof. While architectural shingles may cost a bit more than 3-tab shingles, they offer some significant advantages during installation that may actually help keep installation costs lower.
Architectural shingles go onto a roof bed the same way other shingles do: one row at a time, staggered appropriately to give the finished roof the correct appearance. However, while flatter shingles often require very careful placement and precise cutting to get them into the correct alignment, the bulkier shape of architectural shingles can actually make them easier to install on some homes.
Choose the Right Installation Team for Your New Roof
If you’re sold on the benefits of architectural shingles and want them on your house, then you need to remember to choose a reliable and experienced roofing contractor that can perform the work correctly. Architectural shingles may require fairly straightforward installation, but it is still crucial for the installation team to perform the job correctly so the roof performs the way it should and looks the way you expect.
Take your time when looking for the right roofer. Spend time reading through a potential roofer’s reviews, look at the roofer’s gallery of completed jobs, and ask friends and family for their recommendations. You can spend your money on the highest quality architectural shingles on the market but if you choose a subpar roofer, it will be money wasted. Find a reliable roofer that has a verifiable track record of successful architectural shingle installation projects in your area for the best results.