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What are architectural shingles?

The asphalt shingle most new roofs in the United States are covered with, and why the word "architectural" says nothing about the standard it has to meet.

Updated September 12, 2026 · Every figure links to its source · Sources

DefinitionMaterialAlso called: laminated shingles, dimensional shingles

Architectural shingles — an asphalt shingle made of two or more layers laminated together, so that the exposed surface is thicker and shows a shadow line, in contrast to the single-layer three-tab shingle; the NRCA glossary lists the type under laminated shingles.

What they are

An asphalt shingle is a fibreglass mat coated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules. A three-tab shingle is one such sheet cut with two slots so that each strip reads as three rectangular tabs. An architectural shingle bonds a second, notched layer to the first, so the exposed part has two thicknesses and a broken, irregular edge; the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association describes both in its technical bulletins, and the major manufacturers — Owens Corning and CertainTeed among them — sell the laminated type in several weights and colour blends.

The word "architectural" is marketing, not a grade. What a shingle actually has to meet is a material standard and a wind-resistance class. The 2021 International Residential Code, Section R905.2 requires asphalt shingles to conform to ASTM D3462 (fibreglass-reinforced shingles) and to be tested for wind resistance under ASTM D3161 or ASTM D7158, with the class chosen for the site's design wind speed. Three-tab and laminated shingles are held to the same tests.

Why it matters

Two things follow from the extra layer. The first is weight and thickness: a laminated shingle is heavier, and the doubled surface resists wind uplift and hides minor deck irregularities better than a flat tab. The second is the look: the shadow line imitates wood shakes or slate at a distance, which is why the type displaced three-tab on new houses.

What the extra layer does not change is the rest of the assembly. A laminated shingle over a bad deck, thin underlayment, missing ice barrier or badly lapped flashing fails like any other. The IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard makes the point in its own way: it accepts any shingle that carries the highest wind class (ASTM D3161 Class F or D7158 Class H) and then spends its requirements on the deck, the nails, the edges and the underlayment.

If hail is the local risk, ask about impact rating separately: an architectural shingle may or may not carry a UL 2218 Class 4 rating, and the two are unrelated. The directory's note on class 4 impact-resistant shingles covers what the rating means.

What it costs and who does it

A shingle roof is priced by the square (100 square feet), with the material line varying by the shingle's weight and warranty tier and the labour line by pitch, storeys, tear-off and the amount of flashing and decking to replace. The shingle itself is usually a minority of the total. Any licensed roofing contractor installs laminated shingles; manufacturers also certify installers for their extended warranties, which is worth asking about because the longer warranties often require a certified crew and the manufacturer's own underlayment and accessories.

The directory's guide to a new roof installation walks through the sequence of a replacement, and its nails-per-shingle entry covers the fastening rule that decides whether the wind warranty holds.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers; the sections above carry the detail and the sources.

Are architectural shingles better than three-tab shingles?
They are thicker, heavier and generally carry longer warranties, and their doubled edge resists wind uplift better. Both types must meet the same ASTM material standard and wind test under the IRC; the difference is construction and appearance, not a separate grade.
How long do architectural shingles last?
Manufacturers warrant them for terms that vary by product line, and the real life depends on climate, ventilation, pitch and installation quality. Ask for the specific product’s warranty document rather than a figure quoted in conversation.
Are architectural shingles impact resistant?
Not by default. Impact resistance is a separate rating (UL 2218, Class 1 to 4) that some laminated shingles carry and most do not. If hail is a local risk, ask for the rating on the product data sheet.

See also

Next step

Find a roofer who does this

A shingle replacement is the most common job in residential roofing, which makes the choice of contractor, not shingle, the decision that matters. The directory lists roofing contractors by state and city, with licence details to check against the state board.

Find a roofing contractor near you

Sources

  1. Roofing glossary — National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
  2. Technical bulletins on asphalt roofing — Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)
  3. 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9: Roof Assemblies — International Code Council (ICC)
  4. FORTIFIED Roof: requirements and rated roof covers — Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
  5. Residential roofing products — Owens Corning
  6. Residential roofing products — CertainTeed