Are you going to replace your home's roof? If so, you have to make a decision about what type of shingles you want to use. You can pick a standard asphalt shingle that has three tabs, or use an architectural shingle for a different look. While the former is more classic, you may find the style of the latter to be more appealing to you. Here is what you need to know about these two types of roofing material.

Consider Your Budget

Three tab and architectural shingles are both going to be an affordable roofing option, but be aware that architectural shingles will cost more money. The additional cost is due to the raw materials and manufacturing process to create the shingles. You can also expect to pay more money in terms of labor, since it is more time consuming to install architectural shingles when compared to their three tab counterparts.

However, what you pay more on the front end for architectural shingle may save you more on the back end. That's because architectural shingles will last much longer than the regular three tab variety. In fact, the average lifespan is 30 years for architectural shingles, while three tab shingles are about 20 years. It's possible that they money you spend could save you from needing premature roof replacement 20 years down the road.

Consider The Weight

You may not be aware that three tab shingles weigh less than the architectural variety. While this may not seem like a big deal, since both materials are still fairly lightweight, it is best to keep this in mind when it comes to the condition of your roof. A roofing contractor will tell you if additional reinforcement is needed for architectural shingles, and they'll factor in the weight from snow on the roof in the winter as well. You may need some additional work done to accommodate architectural shingles.

Consider The Neighborhood

You will want to consider if adding architectural shingles will cause your home to stand out in your neighborhood in a good or bad way. If you are the only house on your block that uses architectural shingles, it's possible that your home will look out of place. Meanwhile, if many homes have architectural shingles, you could make the upgrade and fit right in. It's definitely worth looking at the neighborhood to determine if it would be a wise investment that will not harm your home's resale value.

Contact a business like Queston Construction Inc for more information.