For most roofs, yes. Architectural shingles cost more, with HomeAdvisor giving starting prices of $3.50 per square foot against $1.50 for 3-tab, but the home inspectors' association InterNACHI expects them to last about 30 years instead of 20. Manufacturers also back them with longer warranties: CertainTeed's architectural line carries a lifetime limited warranty and a 110 mph wind warranty, against 25 years and 60 mph for its 3-tab line. A 3-tab roof still makes sense on a tight budget, or on a house you will sell soon.
The difference at a glance
| 3-tab | Architectural | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price per square foot (HomeAdvisor) | $1.50 | $3.50 |
| Expected life (InterNACHI) | 20 years | 30 years |
| Construction | one flat layer with two cutouts | two layers laminated together |
| Weight per square, CertainTeed | about 190 to 203 lb (XT 25) | 211 to 225 lb (Landmark) |
| Material warranty, CertainTeed | 25-year limited | lifetime limited |
| Wind warranty, CertainTeed | 60 mph for 5 years | 110 mph for 15 years, upgradable to 160 mph |
| Algae warranty, CertainTeed | 10 years | 25 years, with matching hip and ridge caps |
| Lab wind classes, CertainTeed | ASTM D3161 Class F, ASTM D7158 Class H | ASTM D3161 Class F, ASTM D7158 Class H |
The CertainTeed rows compare two lines from one manufacturer, XT 25 and Landmark, from their technical data sheets. Other brands differ in the details, so read the data sheet of the exact product in any estimate.
What each shingle is
A 3-tab shingle is a single flat strip with two cutouts along its lower edge, so it looks like three separate tabs once installed. CertainTeed's XT 25 is 12 by 36 inches with 5 inches exposed to the weather.
An architectural shingle, also called a dimensional or laminated shingle, is two layers bonded together, which gives the roof depth and shadow lines. CertainTeed's Landmark is 13¼ by 38¾ inches with 5⅝ inches exposed, and comes three bundles to the square.
The extra layer is why architectural shingles weigh more and use more material per square.
The cost difference
HomeAdvisor gives starting prices of $1.50 per square foot for 3-tab and $3.50 for architectural. At those starting prices the gap is $2 a square foot, or $200 per square (100 square feet of roof). Treat that as a rough guide: the price of a finished roof also depends on tear-off, decking, flashing, pitch and labor, and HomeAdvisor says labor makes up about 60% of a shingle roof's cost. That labor is much the same whichever shingle goes on, so the difference in the total bill is smaller in proportion than the difference in the shingles.
For the whole job, HomeAdvisor reports that a shingle roof replacement costs $10,065 on average, with most homeowners paying $6,137 to $13,992. Our guide to roof replacement cost explains how to measure your roof in squares and compare estimates line by line.
Wind ratings, and what they really cover
Shingles are tested for wind in the lab under two ASTM standards, each with its own classes:
| Standard | Class | Wind speed passed |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D3161 (fan test) | A | 60 mph |
| ASTM D3161 | D | 90 mph |
| ASTM D3161 | F | 110 mph |
| ASTM D7158 (uplift test, 2016 edition) | D | up to 115 mph |
| ASTM D7158 | G | up to 150 mph |
| ASTM D7158 | H | up to 190 mph |
The D7158 speeds are the design wind speeds of the 2016 edition of the standard; some product pages, GAF's among them, still cite the older 150 mph figure for Class H.
The surprise is that basic 3-tab shingles often carry the top classes too. CertainTeed's XT 25 and Landmark both list D3161 Class F and D7158 Class H, and GAF says its Royal Sovereign 3-tab passes the 110 mph and 150 mph tests. The real difference is in the warranty. GAF warrants Royal Sovereign against wind up to 60 mph. CertainTeed warrants XT 25 to 60 mph for 5 years and Landmark to 110 mph for 15 years, or 160 mph with an upgrade. GAF gives its architectural Timberline HDZ a 15-year wind warranty with no speed limit when it is installed with four required GAF accessories.
If you live where strong winds are common, compare the wind warranty in writing, and ask what installation it requires, such as the manufacturer's own starter strips and ridge caps.
Lifespan and hail
InterNACHI lists 20 years for 3-tab and 30 years for architectural shingles, assuming normal maintenance and ordinary wear. It notes that hot climates shorten asphalt shingle life sharply.
Architectural shingles also stood up to hail somewhat better in lab tests by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. Using the UL 2218 steel-ball test, basic architectural shingles passed at about 55% of impact points with the smallest ball, against about 45% for basic 3-tab, and about 30% against 25% with the largest. Shingles sold with a UL 2218 Class 4 rating did much better than either, so where hail is common, the impact class matters more than the shingle style. CertainTeed rates its standard Landmark at Class 3.
Look and resale
Architectural shingles give a textured, layered look; 3-tab shingles give a flat, even pattern of rows. Taste decides this one, but if the rest of your street has architectural shingles, a 3-tab roof will stand out.
In the 2025 Cost vs Value report, the standard asphalt roof replacement recoups 67.5% of its cost at resale. That report specifies shingles of at least 235 pounds per square with a warranty of at least 25 years, which is heavier than either CertainTeed line in the table above.
Availability
Three-tab shingles are still made. GAF sells Royal Sovereign and calls it the best-selling 3-tab shingle in the country, CertainTeed still publishes a data sheet for XT 25, and Owens Corning lists its Supreme 3-tab line. But the newest warranty programs go to architectural lines: GAF's no-speed-limit wind warranty, for example, applies only to its Timberline architectural shingles with LayerLock technology. Ask your roofer which colors are stocked near you, especially if you need to match an existing roof for a repair.
When each makes sense
3-tab shingles tend to make sense when:
- The budget is fixed and the savings matter more than the extra years.
- You plan to sell soon and the roof only needs to be sound for the sale.
- You are roofing a shed, garage or outbuilding.
- You are repairing a 3-tab roof and need the new shingles to match.
Architectural shingles tend to make sense when:
- You plan to stay in the house for many years.
- Strong winds are common where you live and you want a higher wind warranty.
- You want a textured look, or the neighboring houses have one.
- You want the longer algae and material warranties.
Before you sign, check the contractor as well as the estimate: see our guide to what to check before you hire a home improvement contractor.
Frequently asked questions
How much more do architectural shingles cost than 3-tab?
HomeAdvisor gives starting prices of $3.50 per square foot for architectural and $1.50 for 3-tab, a difference of $200 per square at those prices. Labor, tear-off and the rest of the job cost about the same either way, so the gap in the total bill is smaller in proportion.
How long do architectural shingles last compared with 3-tab?
InterNACHI lists about 30 years for architectural shingles and 20 for 3-tab, with normal maintenance. It notes that weather, material quality and upkeep all change how long a roof lasts.
Are architectural shingles better in high winds?
Their lab ratings are often the same: the 3-tab and architectural lines we checked both pass the top ASTM wind classes. The difference is the warranty, which is 60 mph for the 3-tab shingles we checked and 110 mph or more for the architectural ones.
Can I put architectural shingles on part of a 3-tab roof?
They will not match in size, exposure or look. For a repair, ask your roofer to find a matching 3-tab shingle; if half the roof needs work, pricing the whole roof in one style may make more sense.
Are 3-tab shingles being discontinued?
Not by the manufacturers we checked. GAF, CertainTeed and Owens Corning all still list a 3-tab line, although their newest warranty programs center on architectural shingles.
How we got these numbers
HomeAnvil does not yet publish price data of its own. Every figure on this page comes from a published source, read on September 26, 2026:
- HomeAdvisor, shingle roof replacement cost, updated June 17, 2026, for the starting prices by shingle type, the share of cost that is labor, and the national average and typical range. HomeAdvisor says its figures come from surveys of its customers and other published research.
- InterNACHI, the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, life expectancy of home components.
- CertainTeed technical data sheets for XT 25 and Landmark, and CertainTeed's product pages for XT 25 and Landmark for the wind warranties.
- GAF product pages for Royal Sovereign and Timberline HDZ.
- Owens Corning product page for Supreme 3-tab shingles.
- Mark S. Graham, The wind resistance of shingles, Professional Roofing, the National Roofing Contractors Association's magazine, September 2018, for the ASTM wind classes.
- Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, Relative Impact Resistance of Asphalt Shingles, August 2014.
- Remodeling Cost vs Value Report 2025, Journal of Light Construction with Zonda: the 2025 national averages and the asphalt shingle roofing replacement specification.
- The difference per square is a calculation from HomeAdvisor's starting prices, made for this page.
We will update this page when these sources publish new figures, and the date above will say when.
Related guides
How much does a roof replacement cost?A roof replacement typically costs $5,900 to $13,400, or $400 to $1,100 per square installed. How to measure your roof, what moves the price and how to compare estimates.
Is a metal roof worth it over asphalt shingles?A standing-seam metal roof costs about 1.6 times as much as asphalt shingles ($51,865 against $31,871) but is rated to last 40 to 80 years instead of 20 to 30.
How long does a roof last?Architectural shingles last about 30 years, 3-tab about 20, metal 40 to 80, slate 60 to 150. What shortens a roof's life, and why a warranty isn't a lifespan.