When you are considering getting a new roof, there are a lot of things that you need to think about. That includes what kind of material you want your roof to be made of. If you decide that you want to have asphalt shingles on your roof, there are still some decisions that are going to have to be made. There are a number of types of asphalt shingles out there, and you want to make sure that you are getting the ones that are right for your roof. 

Three-Tab Shingles

Three-tab shingles are the most common kind of asphalt shingle. They are also called strip shingles. The reason for this is that the shingle itself is a long strip that has been cut so that it looks like it is three separate shingles. Everything is still connected at the top, so when the next row of shingles is placed over the lower row, the top of the shingle is covered up so all that is seen is the flaps of the shingle. That makes it look like each flap is an individual shingle. Three-tab shingles are generally the least expensive kind of asphalt shingle, and they also tend to have the shortest lifespan. 

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles are also called dimensional shingles for the simple reason that the shingles have dimension to them. You may also hear them called laminate shingles because a lamination process is used to create the shingles. These shingles often come in strips as well, but instead of having flaps cut into the strip, each strip has raised areas where there are more layers of asphalt. When the shingles are installed, that gives your roof a very textured and dimensional look. It can also look like you have wooden shakes on your roof instead of asphalt shingles. Since these shingles can come in various colors, the illusion can be really strong. These shingles tend to have a longer life than three-tab shingles because they are made up of layers and laminated together. They are also a little heavier than three-tab shingles, so if you are worried about weight, make sure to talk to your roofer about that concern. 

Asphalt shingles can be a very good choice when you are replacing your roof. There are all kinds of asphalt shingles you can choose from. Contact a roofing contractor in your area for more information about roof shingles.