Are you looking for an affordable roofing material but worried about choosing the wrong type of shingle for your Seattle home? Do you wonder if budget-friendly 3-tab shingles will hold up in our rainy, windy weather or if you're better off investing in architectural shingles?
At RoofSmart, we help hundreds of customers every year find the right roofing material for them. We assess your roof’s needs, and then ask about your budget and preferences so that we can recommend the roofing material that best fits your unique situation.
This article breaks down how 3-tab and architectural shingles compare in real-world performance categories (like wind resistance, algae protection, and lifespan) so you can feel confident in your choice.
How are 3-tab and architectural shingles designed differently?
The big difference in how 3-tab and architectural shingles are designed is that 3-tab shingles lie flat, whereas architectural shingles are layered to create dimensionality.
Here’s an example of how the shingle types look different individually and when installed on the roof:
Image from Atlas Roofing
As you can see, the three-tab shingle has three tabs cut as expansion joints in the strip shingle to help it expand and contract. It used to be made with felt paper as the reinforcement, but now shingle manufacturers make it with fiberglass.
An architectural shingle is the same thing (without the caps cut into 3 tabs), and then with another aesthetic layer laminated on top. And that's where you get the “architectural” look and dimensionality to it.
Although both products are made out of the same material, the added layers on the architectural shingles create a textured effect. It’s a simple change that can elevate the look of your home.
You can still buy three-tab shingles, but they've mostly been discontinued. Most manufacturers aren't making them anymore.
How do 3-tab and architectural shingles perform in Seattle weather?
This section will compare how 3-tab and architectural shingles perform in different categories. Each category will have a winner to highlight which shingle performs best in that category.
1. Durability
Winner- Architectural Shingles
3-tab: These are single-ply shingles, meaning that they only have one layer of asphalt. The granules do not have as much asphalt to embed into, making this shingle highly susceptible to granule loss. Once the granules are gone, there’s only one layer of asphalt for the sun’s UV rays to break down.
Architectural shingles: This style of shingle has multiple layers of asphalt, making it more durable. The granules are embedded better, and the shingle is thicker than a 3-tab. In general, the thicker the shingle, the more durable it is and the longer it will take to break down.
It’s important to note that because of the staggered layering, which makes the shingle look dimensional, not all parts of the shingle have two layers. However, because there’s more material and layers than a 3-tab shingle, the architectural shingle is more durable (this is especially true for shingles with 3 layers).
2. Wind Warranty
Winner- Architectural Shingles
3-tab: This shingle has three separate tabs that need to stick down, which makes it more of a liability. They’re more likely to pull up in the wind (as opposed to a shingle that is just one entire rectangular piece).
Typically, 3-tab shingles have a 60 mph wind rating, and the wind warranty only offers coverage for a handful of years.
This is definitely a point to consider as a Seattle area homeowner, because fall and winter can bring windstorms that blow shingles off the roof.
Architectural shingles: Standard architectural shingles have wind ratings of 110 to 130 mph, and a wind warranty of 10 to 15 years.
These shingles have a structural advantage because each one is designed to come in one piece, whereas individual tabs (like on a 3-tab shingle) are easier to flip up.
Architectural shingles are also designed to glue down securely, usually with multiple layers of adhesive between shingles (this varies depending on the manufacturer).
3. Algae Resistance
Winner- Architectural Shingles
3-tab: Shingle manufacturers don’t include any sort of algae resistance technology in 3-tab shingles.
The Seattle area is known for its dark, damp weather that persists most of the year. This is the perfect environment for algae to grow on the roof, which means that having no algae protection on your Seattle home might result in a huge hassle.
Architectural shingles: It’s pretty standard that architectural shingles have some sort of algae resistance technology built into the shingle and a protection clause in the warranty.
For example, Owens Corning embeds copper granules into architectural shingles to prevent algae growth (most manufacturer has some version of this technology for their shingles).
4. Longevity
Winner- Architectural Shingles
3-tab: Usually, 3-tab shingles are only expected to last around 20 years in the Seattle area. This can vary depending on how often you clean your roof and how many trees are around your house. But since 3-tab shingles are so thin, they aren’t expected to last long.
Architectural shingles: Architectural shingles usually last around 25 years in Seattle’s climate. Their longevity depends on the same factors as 3-tab shingles, but they’re still expected to last longer than 3-tab shingles.
5. Cost
Winner- Architectural Shingles
3-tab: Surprisingly, 3-tab shingles cost about 5% more installed than standard architectural shingles. You would expect 3-tab shingles to be less expensive because they’re thinner and old technology. However, because not many manufacturers make them anymore, 3-tab shingles have actually become more expensive and now cost more than architectural shingles.
Architectural shingles: The average cost to install architectural shingles on your home in the Seattle area is currently around $30,000 to $35,000. Inflation keeps these costs rising steadily.
How do I choose between 3-tab and architectural shingles?
When making your decision, it is important to consider your budget, aesthetic preferences, and needs. You can also decide which categories listed above are most important to you and choose the winner of that category.
A lot of Seattle homeowners choose architectural shingles because they are the most affordable option that still provides good roof protection. If you’re looking for an asphalt shingle, we recommend architectural shingles because they are more durable and last longer than 3-tab shingles.
However, just because architectural shingles won every category, that doesn’t mean they’re always the right choice. If you need a shingle that won’t last very long, or you have a low-slope roof and don’t want any issues with cupping, then 3-tab shingles might be a good fit.
Basically, the decision comes down to these factors:
How much you want to spend- How much you want to spend
- How much protection you want
- How long you need your roof to last
What are the lifetime costs of asphalt shingles in Seattle?
If you’ve been comparing asphalt shingle types based on price, it’s easy to assume that the cheaper option is the better deal. But Seattle’s wet, windy climate can shorten the lifespan of lower-tier roofing materials, meaning you might pay more in repairs and early replacement down the line.
So how do you know when it makes sense to spend more upfront—and when it doesn’t?
If you're trying to make a smart, long-term decision for your roof and budget, check out our article: Lifetime Cost vs. Initial Price: Which Asphalt Shingles Are Worth It in Seattle?
You’ll learn what you can expect to pay for your asphalt roof upfront, plus the potential repair and maintenance costs that come with it.
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