An Educational Guide for Property Owners in the Piedmont Triad
Asphalt shingles are most often associated with residential roofing, but they aren't limited to houses.
They're also used on many steep-slope commercial and institutional buildings, including offices, churches, multifamily properties, clubhouses, and business parks.
One reason asphalt shingles remain so common is the variety of options available. Property owners can choose from different styles, colors, profiles, and performance features while using a roofing system that's familiar and widely available.
But choosing a shingle is only part of choosing a roof.
The condition of the roof deck, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, roof geometry, installation details, and manufacturer requirements all contribute to how the completed roofing system performs.
Three-Tab, Architectural and Designer Shingles: What's the Difference?
Start looking through manufacturer samples and the number of shingle choices can become overwhelming pretty quickly.
Most asphalt shingles fall into a few general categories.
Three-Tab Shingles
Three-tab shingles have a flatter, more uniform appearance and represent a traditional style of asphalt roofing.
They're generally lighter and simpler in construction than laminated architectural shingles. Although three-tab shingles are still available, architectural shingles have become a common choice for roof replacements where owners want additional dimension and other available performance features.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles, sometimes called dimensional or laminated shingles, use multiple layers to create a thicker, more dimensional appearance than traditional three-tab shingles.
They're available in a wide range of colors and styles and are commonly used on homes as well as many steep-slope commercial properties.
For many property owners, architectural shingles provide a practical balance between appearance, available performance features, and project cost.
Designer and Specialty Shingles
Designer shingles are intended to provide a more distinctive appearance and may be manufactured to resemble materials such as slate or wood shake.
Some specialty shingles are also available with enhanced impact-resistance ratings or other performance characteristics.
These products can cost considerably more than standard architectural shingles, so the decision often comes down to the property's design, the owner's priorities, and whether those additional features provide value for that particular project.
The Shingle Isn't the Entire Roofing System
Just as with commercial low-slope roofing, the material visible from the outside is only one part of the completed roof.
A shingle roofing system can include:
- The structural roof deck
- Underlayment
- Leak-protection materials in vulnerable areas
- Starter shingles
- Field shingles
- Hip and ridge materials
- Flashing at walls, chimneys, valleys, and penetrations
- Roof ventilation components where applicable
- Manufacturer-specified accessories and installation details
The exact components depend on the roof and the roofing system being installed.
That's why comparing two shingle proposals based only on the brand or shingle name doesn't necessarily tell you whether you're being offered the same roof.
The Roof Deck Matters
Before new shingles are installed, the roof deck needs to provide a suitable substrate for the new roofing system.
Once an existing roof covering is removed, previously hidden deterioration may become visible. Damaged or deteriorated decking should be addressed before the new roofing system is installed.
This is one reason decking repairs can affect the final cost of a roof replacement. A contractor can evaluate visible conditions before work begins, but not every concealed condition can be known until the existing roofing materials are removed.
Putting new shingles over deteriorated decking doesn't correct the underlying problem.
Flashing and Details Matter Just as Much as the Shingles
Some of the most important parts of a steep-slope roof are also the easiest for a property owner to overlook.
Valleys, walls, chimneys, plumbing vents, roof transitions, and other penetrations require proper detailing to direct water away from vulnerable areas.
A premium shingle doesn't compensate for poorly executed flashing.
That's why the quality of a shingle roof shouldn't be judged by the bundle wrapper alone. The way the complete roofing system is installed matters.
What About Roof Ventilation?
On buildings where attic ventilation is part of the roof design, intake and exhaust ventilation need to work together appropriately.
Ventilation requirements depend on the construction of the building and roof assembly, so there isn't one ventilation solution that applies to every property.
When ventilation is part of the roofing system, it should be considered during replacement rather than treated as an afterthought.
What About Algae-Resistant and Impact-Resistant Shingles?
Some shingle products incorporate features intended to address particular conditions.
Algae-resistant shingles are designed to help reduce the dark streaking that can occur on roofs in humid environments.
Certain shingles are also manufactured and tested for enhanced impact resistance. Whether those products make sense depends on the property, available products, project budget, and the owner's priorities.
These features can be useful, but they shouldn't replace proper installation and sound roofing details.
Does a More Expensive Shingle Automatically Mean a Better Roof?
Not necessarily.
A more expensive shingle may provide a different appearance, heavier construction, specialty performance characteristics, or different manufacturer warranty options.
But the shingle itself is only one component.
A properly installed roofing system using an appropriate shingle can provide better value than simply purchasing the most expensive shingle while overlooking the deck, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, or installation details.
The better question is:
What are you getting for the additional cost, and does it matter for your property?
Why Contractor Certification Still Matters
B&D Roofing Solutions has been a CertainTeed ShingleMaster™ since 2018.
Manufacturer certification demonstrates training and familiarity with the manufacturer's roofing products and installation requirements. For a property owner, that's useful because a shingle roof is more than the shingles themselves—the various components and installation details need to work together as a roofing system.
CertainTeed offers different warranty options depending on the products, system components, and other requirements involved in a project. B&D can explain the applicable warranty options when discussing a roof replacement.
But a warranty isn't a substitute for proper installation.
Our focus is on installing the roofing system correctly in the first place.
Shingles Aren't Just for Houses
Although asphalt shingles are strongly associated with residential roofing, many non-residential buildings use them too.
Churches, offices, apartment and condominium buildings, clubhouses, and business parks may all incorporate asphalt shingles when the architecture includes steep-slope roof areas.
The same basic principles apply: the roofing system needs to be appropriate for the building, properly detailed, and installed according to the requirements of the selected system.
And asphalt shingles aren't the only option for a steep-slope property.
Standing-seam metal roofing can provide another alternative for buildings where its appearance, construction, and performance characteristics make sense.
The B&D Promise
We believe property owners deserve honest recommendations—not sales pressure.
Our job is to evaluate the roof, explain the available options, and help you understand what you're actually buying—not simply point to the most expensive shingle on a sample board.
The right choice depends on the building, roof design, desired appearance, product features, and budget.
Whether we're roofing a home, church, office, or another steep-slope property, we'll explain the reasons behind our recommendation and tell you what we would recommend if it were our own building.
