Architectural Roof Shingles

What are Architectural Shingles?

Definition:

Architectural roof shingles are a type of asphalt shingle that is designed to look more ascetically appealing. Many feel that architectural shingles or a.k.a laminate or dimensional shingles resemble the look of wood shake. Architectural shingles are an upgraded shingle when compared to traditional 3-tab shingles.

Benefits of Architectural Shingles:

Architectural shingles are thicker and have a longer manufacturers guarantee than 3-tab shingles. These types of shingles are quickly becoming the norm among residential homes. In fact, it is highly speculated that the architectural shingles will almost entirely replace the traditional 3-tab shingles. The market is so definite on this fact because of all the added benefits that architectural shingles provide. Some of the most obvious are looks and durability.

Negative Aspect of Architectural Shingles:

However, one of the negatives with these dimensional shingles is their price. Dimensional shingles are more expensive than 3-tab shingles and that is why they are still not the shingle of choice for home owners/property owners that are looking for the least expensive asphalt shingle. In cases where the property owner simply wants something that will cover the roof rather than last a "lifetime" they tend to opt in for the 3-tab shingles because they are cheaper in price.

How to Install Architectural Shingles

Installing architectural shingles is similar to installing 3-tab shingles and in fact the process is almost the exact same. Below is just a quick guide to installing / laying architectural shingles down. If you are not an experienced DIYer or contractor we recommend hiring a professional roof contractor to properly install your architectural shingles. Why? Because it is worth doing right and if something happens most (all should) have at least a 5 year leak free guarantee.

Steps To Installing Dimensional Shingles

• This is a simplified version of how to install an architectural shingle roof. Please refer to more complete tutorials or instructions if you wish to get all the steps for installation. Remember to check the manufacturers instructions and warranties to make sure your installation procedure is in adherence in order to qualify for the warranty.

• If you are doing a re-roof, apply and receive a city permit to re-roof the roof.
• Remove the existing shingle roof. Some people opt out of this step and simply roof over the existing shingles. This is not recommended. *We will go into why in a future article.
• Lay the proper underlayment and roof edging. Both of these aspects of the roof are very important when it comes to keeping the roof leak free.
• The first row of shingles will be slightly different than the rest. You start the first row by cutting off the 3-tabs and using the upper portion. Make sure you have a slight overhang. This first row will not be architectural shingles but will be 3-tab shingles.
• Once the starter row is complete you can begin with the second row or technically still the first row by laying the architectural shingles flush with the starter course.
• During the process of laying the architectural shingles side by side make sure you chalk horizontal lines to make sure your rows are straight.

Architectural Shingles Colors

Just like 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles come in many different colors. Your color options will depend on the brand of shingle you choose and the area you are located in.

Architectural Shingles Cost

• The best way to know how much architectural shingles cost in your area is to contact multiple roofing contractors and get prices. Architectural shingle prices have continued to rise throughout the years. Why? Why does the cost of almost everything seem to continue to go up? Oh and asphalt shingles are a petroleum product and as long as we see prices rising at the pump the shingle prices rise too.

Architectural shingles differ in price based on a view variables. These variables are color, warranty, geo location, availability, quantity purchased, brand, cost of oil, etc… We have done our best to give you average prices of architectural shingles to help give you a ballpark figure as to how much they cost.

Cost Per Bundle (avg): $28 or about $86 a square. ~ As Of: (August 2013)

Remember that this price will continue to go up. With architectural shingles it usually takes 3 bundles per square.

Architectural Shingles Brands

GAF Architectural Shingles

Tamko Architectural Shingles

Certainteed Architectural Shingles

Timberline Architectural Shingles

IKO Architectural Shingles

Architectural Shingles Pictures

Resources

Professionals Interviewed

Owens Corning Duration vs GAF Timberline HDZ

These two lines often show up side by side on quotes, and they are more alike than the ads suggest. Both are laminated architectural shingles on a fiberglass mat, both come in a long list of colors, and both makers sell matching starter, ridge, underlayment and vent products that unlock their stronger warranties.

Where they differ is mostly in how each maker handles the nailing area. Owens Corning builds Duration around what it calls SureNail Technology, a reinforced fabric strip in the nailing zone meant to grip the nail heads and help hold the layers together. GAF builds Timberline HDZ around what it calls LayerLock, which bonds the two layers along the nail line, and a wide nailing target it calls the StrikeZone. GAF also offers a wind warranty it calls WindProven on HDZ when it goes on with the required GAF accessories.

On the roof, the crew matters more than the logo. A shingle nailed too high, too low or crooked loses its wind rating whatever the brand. Pick the line your roofer installs week in and week out, look at the color in person on a sunny day, and ask which accessories are in the price, since the warranty terms hinge on them.

CertainTeed Landmark and IKO Cambridge

CertainTeed Landmark is a two-layer laminated shingle and the base of a family. Landmark Pro is the heavier, thicker member, and Landmark ClimateFlex is the impact-rated version made with a rubberized asphalt. CertainTeed marks a wide nailing area on the Landmark series that it calls NailTrak, and like the others it offers stronger system warranties when its accessories and credentialed installers are used.

IKO Cambridge is IKO's mainstream laminated architectural shingle. IKO sells it alongside a heavier line called Dynasty, which has a reinforced nailing strip IKO calls ArmourZone. As with every brand, the colors on offer and what the local supply house keeps in stock vary by region, so a color you saw online may not be easy to get near you.

The practical question with any of these lines is supply. A brand only helps you if your roofer can buy it in the color you want, and if matching shingles will be on hand for repairs after a storm. Ask the roofer which lines they buy most, and look at a full-size sample or a finished roof nearby rather than a small chip in a brochure.

Architectural shingle warranties: what lifetime means

Most architectural shingles are now sold with a limited lifetime warranty, which sounds like more than it is. Read three parts of it. First, the non-prorated period at the start, when the maker covers full value for defective material; after that, coverage is prorated and shrinks as the roof ages. Second, what is covered at all: the standard warranty covers manufacturing defects, not storm damage, poor attic ventilation or bad nailing. Third, transfer: many warranties can pass to the next owner only once, often only if registered soon after the sale, and coverage may drop when they do.

The system warranties each maker sells on top are a different product. They usually require a credentialed contractor, the maker's own starter, ridge, underlayment and vents, and registration after the job. In return they may cover labor and tear-off for longer, and some include the roofer's workmanship.

Workmanship is the gap people forget. Most leaks on a newer roof come from how it was installed, not from the shingle. Ask the roofer, in writing, how long they stand behind their own work and what the maker's warranty adds on top of it.

Starter strips and ridge caps for architectural shingles

This guide's install steps describe cutting the tabs off 3-tab shingles to make the starter row. That still works, but since this guide was written nearly every maker has come to sell a purpose-made starter strip for its architectural lines. It carries a line of sealant right at the eave and rake edges, where wind first gets under a roof, and the maker's wind warranty usually depends on using it.

The same goes for hips and ridges. Cut 3-tab pieces leave a thin cap on top of a thick field shingle, and the ridge is the most exposed line on the roof. Makers sell thicker hip and ridge caps, often pre-bent, colored to match their architectural shingles. If you have a ridge vent, the cap has to suit that vent, and the nails have to be long enough to pass through it into the wood.

When you read a quote, look for these items by name. A low bid that leaves out the starter strip and ridge cap, or lists them as cut pieces, may also be leaving the stronger warranty on the table.

Questions people ask

Which is better, GAF or Owens Corning shingles?

Neither wins across the board. Both make laminated shingles with similar ratings and warranty tiers. The installer's skill, the accessories used and local supply matter more, so choose the line your roofer installs most and the color you like in person.

What is the difference between GAF Timberline HD and HDZ?

HDZ is the newer version of Timberline HD. GAF says the HDZ adds its LayerLock bonding along the nail line and a wider StrikeZone nailing area. If your roof has the older HD, HDZ is the usual pick for repairs, though weathered colors may not match exactly.

Is Owens Corning Duration a Class 4 impact rated shingle?

The standard Duration is not sold as Class 4. Owens Corning sells impact-rated versions, Duration FLEX and Duration STORM, which carry a UL 2218 Class 4 rating. Check the wrapper or the product data sheet for the exact shingle being quoted.

What is the difference between CertainTeed Landmark and Landmark Pro?

Landmark Pro is the heavier, thicker member of the Landmark family. Both are two-layer laminated shingles; compare the current data sheets for weight, wind rating and algae warranty terms before choosing.

This guide was updated in October 2026 with new sections and the questions people ask most.