When faced with replacing the roof on your HOA or multi-family apartment building, you may come across dimensional shingles in your initial research. What are they and why should you incorporate them in your next roofing project?
Also known as architectural shingles, dimensional shingles are more of a designer option than standard 3-tabs. Decorative in nature, dimensional shingles come in ornate shapes, cuts and colors, featuring additional layers of granules and asphalt. They can also be used to mimic the appearance of other, more expensive, roofing materials such as shake, tile and slate.
Here are some considerations to think about when choosing dimensional shingles.
Cost
It costs more to install dimensional shingles than standard 3-tab versions, but they increase your curb appeal and property value, with a better ROI. The average cost to install architectural shingles is between $13,500 and $21,500, or $4.50 to $7 per square foot, according to Modernize. If you go with higher quality 50-year architectural shingles, you can expect to pay between $5 and $8 per square foot.
Performance
You will find that there is a wide range of lifespan and warranties when it comes to architectural shingles. They start out at 25 to 30 years, and go all the way up to 40 to 50 years for higher end products. Because dimensional shingles are more robust compared to 3-tab shingles, you get a better durability and longer lifespan out of these, which gives you a higher return on investment.
Benefits of Dimensional Shingles
From texture and beauty to durability and low maintenance requirements, there are several advantages to investing in architectural shingles, also known as laminate shingles.
Dimensional shingles:
- Are available in a wide spectrum of colors, patterns and textures
- Can be customized to fit your unique tastes
- Can resemble the look of costly slate, cedar shake, or tile roofs due to their three-dimensional pattern
- Offer a higher-quality appearance due to their depth and texture
- Come with no maintenance hassles
- Feature a distinctive look to enhance your building’s natural beauty and curb appeal
- Provide a sense of character and age with timeless appeal
- Are high performing
- Pay for themselves over the years due to durability and longevity
- Are heavier and sturdier than 3-tab shingles
- May withstand up to 120 mph winds
- Resist fire better than traditional composition shingles
- Are easier to cut and fit into hard-to-reach corners and crevices
- Stay cooler than regular asphalt shingles due to deflection and added insulation
3-Tab vs. Dimensional Shingles
Regular roof shingles are called 3-tab, and they’re the most common that you will see on homes today. That’s because they’re affordable and easy to install. True to their name, they feature three tabs/flaps with a ¼-inch groove between the tabs. Installed in flat, even rows, you can contrast this with dimensional shingles which are installed in a layered, textured pattern.
Regular asphalt shingles last about 20 years, while dimensional shingles last between 30 and 50 years depending on the type you get. With these, you also get more options when it comes to patterns and colors. Thanks to their heavier granule covering, dimensional shingles resist the wind and harsh weather better than 3-tab – a big consideration living in this cold and snowy climate.
While you will pay more up front for architectural shingles (25 percent more on average), you also get a 50 percent longer lifespan with stronger warranties.
Standard 3-tab asphalt shingles only sport a single layer of material on top of a mat (usually made of cloth or fiberglass), making them more susceptible to deterioration and damage from weather. However, architectural shingles feature many layers of granules and refined asphalt all laminated together. It’s this sturdier composition that gives you a higher wind resistance than standard shingles. While dimensional shingles can withstand 120 mph winds, standard shingles can only withstand 60 to 80 mph winds.
When you take all these things into consideration, you will soon find that you will save money on replacements and repairs over the life of your roof. Some insurance companies even offer discounts on premiums for property managers and home owners who install architectural shingles.
As a property owner yourself, you understandably want the most bang for your buck, which you will get with dimensional shingles.
Contact Allstar Construction and Maintenance for Multi-Family Roofing
If you would like to learn more about how dimensional shingles can benefit your HOA, contact us today at (952) 234-9995 to schedule service or get a quote. We install all types of shingles and can go over the pros and cons of each with you.