The roof may very well be the most important component in your home’s structure. It allows you to live in a warm, dry home and means that electricity can be installed and used safely. The roof helps to keep the home insulated, and it provides shelter.

Choosing the right type of roofing can mean that you have very little to worry about in this area for decades. There are various types of roofs available now, and different materials can be used.

One type of roof you may have heard of is an architectural roof. If you are looking for a new roof then it may be that an architectural roof is the right type for you. In which case, you will probably want to know how many years will the roof last, and what it will cost.

What are Architectural Roofs?

When someone asks what architectural roofs are you would likely think of all the different architectural styles available. For example, there are flat roofs, gable roofs, and gambrel roofs, to name just three styles.

However, an architectural roof is a reference to the shingles that are being used, not the style. Architectural shingles are also often called dimensional or laminated shingles.

They are a very high-quality shingle, and very popular with roofers and their clients. They are very durable and dependable and are considered better than standard shingles.

How Long do Architectural Roofs Last?

Browsing through a roofing company website will show you all the different available roofing materials. What can be difficult to ascertain when looking at these different choices, is how long they will last.

Architectural shingles are constructed with a thick base made from asphalt. This helps them to be one of the best roofing shingles that can be bought. Typical architectural shingles can cope with all manner of weather conditions and will last perhaps up to 30 years. Even at the lower end of their life expectancy, you would hope to get at least 15 years out of them.

Some versions are known as 50-year architectural shingles. These have an extended warranty far beyond most roofing products on the market. These could be expected to last 40 years at least. They are a good choice for anyone who is planning to live in a home for many years, or decades, to come.

Are Architectural Roofs Expensive?

The problem with some of the higher-end roofing materials is the cost. Metal roofs for instance will last perhaps the longest, but they are also more expensive than other materials.

When it comes to architectural roofs, the news isn’t too bad compared to other types. Find Any Answer notes that architectural roofs would cost between $13,500 to $21,500. However, Modernize puts the low end of an architectural roof at just over $6,500, and the upper end of the scale at $12,672.

This is very comparable to the less durable 3-tab asphalt roofing shingles and cheaper than any other option.

What is the Best Roofing Material?

Of course, anyone looking for a new roof wants the best materials that they can afford. A roofer worth their salt would also want to be installing quality materials, and providing the best service that they can.

This doesn’t necessarily mean using the most expensive materials though, and sometimes cheaper products can do the job just as well. When it comes to roofing though, it doesn’t pay to cut corners.

A poor installation can lead to leaks and other problems down the line. Cheap materials might lead to you having to call in roofers to make repairs, and they may be easily damaged in a storm.

If you want to know what is the best type of roofing, then metal, clay, and slate, would be strong contenders. If you want to know what is the most durable and yet affordable, then architectural shingles would be a good answer.

Is it Worth Using Architectural Shingles?

If you weigh up the additional cost of architectural shingles compared to 3-tab asphalt ones, alongside the extra durability, then the answer is yes.

Having a strong roof gives the occupants peace of mind. This is especially important in places that are frequently hit by bad weather and heavy storms. Architectural shingles are capable of coping with heavy rain, snow, ice, and hail. Knowing that they will last longer than cheaper materials should make them a worthy investment, yet they are still on the lower side when it comes to cost.

Summary

There are other benefits from fitting a strong new roof. Hippo Insurance states that having a new roof installed could lower home insurance premiums. Insurance companies often equate a new roof with one that will cope with weather damage better.

Architectural shingles would appear to be a long-lasting, yet affordable alternative to more expensive materials. If you are fortunate, they might be providing a roof over your head for decades to come.