The four you'll be offered.
3-tab shingles
One flat layer with two cutouts that make three even tabs. Light, plain and the cheapest to buy. Wind ratings are commonly around 60 to 70 mph, and most manufacturers have cut back their 3-tab lines. Today you mostly see them as starter strips or on sheds.
Architectural shingles
Also called dimensional or laminated. Two or more layers bonded together, so the roof has depth and shadow lines instead of a flat grid. Heavier, commonly rated 110 to 130 mph when nailed to the maker's pattern, and usually backed by a limited lifetime manufacturer warranty. This is what most Connecticut roofs get now.
Designer shingles
Thicker, multi-layer shingles cut to look like slate or cedar shake. They suit older and higher-end houses where the look matters, and they cost noticeably more per square.
Impact-resistant shingles
Rated Class 4 under UL 2218, the top rating for resisting hail. Some insurers discount them, so ask yours for the number before you decide.
Side by side.
| 3-tab | Architectural | Designer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Flat, even tabs | Dimensional, shadow lines | Slate or shake look |
| Layers | One | Two or more, laminated | Two or more, thicker |
| Typical wind rating | About 60–70 mph | About 110–130 mph | About 110–130 mph |
| Manufacturer warranty | Shorter, limited | Usually limited lifetime | Usually limited lifetime |
| Cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
Ratings and warranty terms vary by product line. Your quote names the exact shingle.
What matters on a Connecticut roof.
- Wind. Connecticut's building code sets a design wind speed for every town. A shingle only holds to its rating when it's nailed and sealed the way the maker specifies.
- Algae. Shaded, damp roofs grow black streaks. Shingles with algae-resistant granules hold off the staining.
- Snow and ice. Shingles shed water, but what's under them stops ice dam backup. See ice and water shield in Connecticut.
- The house. A steep Cape or a Victorian shows off a designer shingle. On a low ranch roof the difference barely reads from the street. Look at a real roof before you pick.
What we install.
Every square we quote includes Owens Corning shingles in the color you choose, with a lifetime manufacturer shingle warranty and our 25-year workmanship warranty, both in writing. The roofs on our job pages are Owens Corning Duration, an architectural shingle. See the colors on real Connecticut houses before you pick:
- Williamsburg Gray in Newington
- Brownwood in Hamden
- Slatestone Gray in Farmington
- Desert Rose in Sherman
- Harbor Blue in West Haven
Want a different line? Ask, and we'll quote it as its own line so you can compare.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP.
What's the difference between 3-tab and architectural shingles?
3-tab shingles are a single flat layer with three even tabs. Architectural shingles are two or more layers laminated together, so they look dimensional, weigh more, carry higher wind ratings and usually come with longer manufacturer warranties.
Are architectural shingles worth the extra cost?
For most houses, yes. The difference per square is modest next to the whole job, and you get a better wind rating, a longer warranty and a roof that doesn't look flat. That's why they've become the standard.
How long do architectural shingles last in Connecticut?
Typically around 20 to 30 years, depending on attic ventilation, shade, moss and how well they were installed.
Do impact-resistant shingles lower my insurance?
Some insurers offer a discount for Class 4 shingles. Ask your carrier for the number before you decide, and we'll price the shingle so you can compare.
What shingles do you install?
Owens Corning shingles in the color you choose. The roofs on our job pages are Owens Corning Duration architectural shingles, so you can see the colors on real Connecticut houses first.
