For decades, 3 tab shingles were the standard roof on American homes. Each shingle is a single flat layer cut into three equal tabs, which gives the roof that neat, uniform brick pattern you still see on many older houses around Pittsburgh.
Today, most homeowners replacing a roof choose architectural shingles instead. Here is how the two compare and what that means if you are planning asphalt shingle roofing on your home.
What Is a 3 Tab Shingle?
A 3 tab shingle is a single layer of asphalt coated mat with granules on top. Two slots cut into the bottom edge divide it into three tabs, and each row is offset so the slots do not line up.
Because it is one layer, a 3 tab shingle is lighter and thinner than an architectural shingle. That made it the budget option for many years.
Asphalt shingle roofs on city homes, where older 3 tab roofs are still common.
How Architectural Shingles Differ
Architectural shingles, sometimes called dimensional or laminated shingles, are made of two or more layers bonded together. The layered design creates shadow lines that give the roof more depth and texture.
The extra layers add weight and stiffness, which generally helps with wind resistance and lifespan. That is why architectural shingles are now the standard choice for most roof replacements.
Architectural shingles give a roof more depth and shadow lines.
3 Tab vs Architectural at a Glance
These are the differences homeowners ask about most.
Look
3 tab shingles are flat and uniform. Architectural shingles have depth and a more varied pattern.
Thickness
3 tab shingles are a single layer. Architectural shingles are laminated from two or more layers.
Wind resistance
The heavier laminated design of architectural shingles generally holds up better in wind.
Availability
Many manufacturers now focus on architectural lines, so matching an old 3 tab color can be hard.
Repairing an Older 3 Tab Roof
If your roof is 3 tab and in decent shape, small repairs are often still possible. The challenge is matching. Colors fade over time, and the exact product may no longer be made, so a repair can stand out.
When a 3 tab roof is brittle, losing granules or missing shingles in several places, replacement usually makes more sense than chasing repairs.
Repairs on older roofs depend on finding shingles that blend in.
Why Many Homeowners Upgrade When They Replace
When a 3 tab roof wears out, most homeowners move to architectural shingles. The layered look adds curb appeal, the heavier shingle generally stands up better to wind, and manufacturers now put most of their colors and warranty options into architectural lines.
The difference in price between the two has narrowed over the years, which makes the upgrade an easy call for most people. If you want the flat, classic look of 3 tab on a historic home, ask your roofer about the options that still fit that style.
How 3 Tab Shingles Are Installed
3 tab shingles are installed in rows starting at the eaves, with each row offset so the slots do not line up with the row below. A starter strip goes down first along the eaves to seal the first row and keep water out of the slots.
Each shingle is nailed in a narrow band just above the slots, and a strip of sealant on the back bonds it to the shingle below once the sun warms it. That bond is what keeps the tabs from lifting in the wind.
Because the tabs are a single layer, the alignment of every row shows clearly on the finished roof. Uneven rows or slots that line up stand out, which is one reason careful installation matters even on a basic shingle.
Signs an Old 3 Tab Roof Is Done
Many 3 tab roofs in the area are reaching the end of their life. The signs are usually clear. The tabs curl up at the corners or cup in the middle, granules wash into the gutters, and cracks appear across the tabs, especially on the sunny side of the house.
Wind becomes a bigger problem as the sealant ages. Tabs start lifting and tearing off in storms that the roof once handled without trouble.
Inside, you may notice stains on ceilings or in the attic. When several of these signs show up together, repairs only buy a little time, and replacement is the more reliable fix.
When 3 Tab Shingles Still Make Sense
Architectural shingles are the usual choice for a full replacement, but 3 tab shingles have not disappeared. They still fit a few situations well, and a good roofer will tell you when one of them applies to your home.
The most common case is a repair on an existing 3 tab roof that still has years left. A flat 3 tab patch blends into a flat 3 tab roof far better than a thick architectural shingle would. Some owners also like the clean, orderly lines of 3 tab on a simple ranch or an older home where that look is part of the original style.
- Repairs on a 3 tab roof that is otherwise in good shape
- Detached garages and sheds where looks matter less
- Homes where the owner wants the flat, traditional pattern
- Short term plans, such as a house that will be sold soon
Wind Ratings and the Seal Strip
Wind is where 3 tab shingles are most often compared with architectural shingles. Each manufacturer tests its shingles and publishes a wind rating, and that rating depends on the shingle being installed to its instructions, including the number of nails and where they go.
On a 3 tab shingle, each tab is a single thin layer, so the seal strip does most of the work of holding it down. When that bond is weak, the wind can get under a tab, bend it back and crease or tear it. Architectural shingles are heavier and stiffer, and many lines carry higher wind ratings, which is why they are the usual pick on hilltop and exposed homes around the North Hills.
Before you compare two products, look at the wind rating on each data sheet and ask what installation steps that rating requires. A higher rated shingle installed poorly can still lose tabs in the first big storm.
Lifespan Depends on More Than the Shingle
It is easy to compare shingles by their expected lifespan alone, but the shingle is only one part of the roof. Attic ventilation, the condition of the deck, the underlayment, the flashing and the quality of the install all affect how long any shingle lasts.
A poorly vented attic bakes shingles from below in summer and traps moisture in winter. Reused flashing or worn pipe boots can leak long before the shingles wear out. That is why we install complete Atlas roof systems, with Atlas shingles, underlayment and ventilation designed to work together, rather than putting a new shingle over old problems.
When you compare quotes for a 3 tab or architectural roof, ask what else is being replaced with the shingles. The answer tells you more about how long the roof will last than the shingle name does.
What We Install
We install complete Atlas roof systems, including Atlas Pinnacle Pristine architectural shingles with Scotchgard protection against black streaks, and we also use Owens Corning on some jobs. On complete Atlas systems, our Atlas Platinum Pro+ status lets us offer Atlas's 50 year warranty.
Related reading: asphalt shingles in Pittsburgh and comparing shingle brands.
3 Tab Shingle FAQs
How can I tell if my roof has 3 tab shingles?
Look for a flat, even pattern of rectangles with slots lined up every few inches. Architectural shingles look thicker and more random.
Are 3 tab shingles still made?
Some are, but many manufacturers have shifted their focus to architectural shingles, which can make matching older roofs harder.
Can I replace 3 tab shingles with architectural shingles?
Yes. Switching to architectural shingles is the most common choice when an older 3 tab roof is replaced.
Do 3 tab shingles blow off more easily?
They are lighter and thinner, so they are generally more vulnerable to wind than heavier architectural shingles, especially as they age.
Are 3 tab shingles cheaper than architectural shingles?
They have historically cost less per square, but the gap has narrowed, and many homeowners find the added durability and look of architectural shingles worth it. A written estimate for both, if both are available, is the easiest way to compare.
Do 3 tab shingles work on a low slope roof?
Asphalt shingles of any type need enough slope to shed water, and each manufacturer lists the minimum pitch on its data sheet, often with extra underlayment required on lower slopes. Below that point, a porch or addition roof needs a membrane such as EPDM instead. A roofer can measure the pitch and tell you which applies.
Talk to Malick Brothers About Your Shingle Roof
Have an older 3 tab roof and not sure if it can be repaired? We will look at it and give you an honest answer.
Malick Brothers Exteriors is a family owned roofing and exterior contractor at 500 Perry Highway in the North Hills, rated 4.9 on more than 350 Google reviews. Contact us or call (412) 616-0191 to schedule a free inspection and written estimate.
