Architectural shingles—or designer shingles, as they’re often called—have been rising in popularity since about the 70’s as a high-end alternative to traditional asphalt shingles. While they are a little more expensive than 3 tab shingles, 3D shingles add resale value to a home by their greater wind resistance, longer warranties and design versatility.

No matter whether you’re looking to replace, install or repair architectural shingles, here’s what you need to know:

• Varieties of designer shingles
  One of the draws of designer shingles are the many design and shape options. There are 3D shingles that are designed to mimic cedar shake and slate. There are also many color, size and style options for architectural shingles. Architectural shingles are often chosen to round off the design of a home.??To ensure the longevity of your system, you’ll want to look for a contractor that provides only premium shingles—CertainTeed and GAF are some of the best manufacturers available. While subpar products allow some contractors to provide lower quote, they will not provide the same level of protection nor will they last as long.
• Replacing and installing architectural shingles
  As with any roof installation, installing architectural shingles is highly technical and is best left to the professionals. While 3 tab shingles are a standard size and shape, the size and shape of designer shingles can vary widely. An experienced roofing contractor will easily be able to ascertain which technique will work best for your particular 3D shingles—stair-stepping, racking or installing them diagonally.??Of course, the installation process is a long and arduous one. First, the roofing contractor must remove any broken designer shingles and debris. Then they’ll prepare the roof deck for installation and lay roofing felt, Replacing architectural shingles is the next step, followed by cleaning up the job site. For more information on installing and replacing architectural shingles, be sure to visit our roof installation page.
• Factors affecting cost of 3D shingles
  Designer shingles are slightly pricier than your standard asphalt shingle—3D shingles run about $33-52 per bundle. Designer shingles do, however, add more value to your home, making the slight price increase worth it. While asphalt shingles typically carry a 15-30 year warranty, architectural shingles sometimes carry a ”lifetime warranty.” Additionally, asphalt shingles are outfitted to withstand about 60 mph winds while 3D shingles can withstand up to 120 mph winds. So, while the upfront costs for materials is substantially higher than asphalt shingles, the lifetime cost for designer shingles can sometimes be significantly less.As far as installation costs go, the size and pitch, or slope, of your roof will affect the cost of installing architectural shingles. The rule of thumb is the steeper the roof, the more expensive the installation due to increased insurance costs.

Gateway Environmental Roofing Solutions, LLC has been replacing, repairing and installing architectural shingles in St. Louis for years. Over the years, we’ve mastered roofing technique and styles. But, because we hold ourselves to a higher standard than other roofing contractors, it’s not enough to just be the best—we want to exceed each of our client’s expectations from the free quote to the completion of the roofing job. That’s why our clients have such good things to say about us.

If you’re looking to have work done on your roof, give us a call and set up a cost- and obligation-free consultation.