The Four Classes of Residential Roofing Shingles Best For Illinois
Residential Roofing Shingles Covered In Frost
Learn About The Four Classes of Residential Roofing Shingles
Not all roofing shingles are created equal! Learn the differences and how to make the best choice for your Illinois home.
Your roof is a critical element of your home. Your home's roof protects you, your home, and your family from the elements and helps to establish your home's style and curb appeal. Depending on the material and with proper installation, your roof can last anywhere from 10 to 50 years. Asphalt shingles are the most popular, cost-effective, and easy-to-install option. Asphalt is durable, looks great, and is less expensive.
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Four types of residential roofing shingles are available and feature four different classes of impact resistance. In this residential roofing comparison, we'll look at the benefits of each to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about which is best for your Illinois home.
Residential Roofing Shingles Compared
For our purposes, all of the shingles listed here are composite and asphalt shingles. Three are laminate shingles, and one is a 3-tab shingle.
Technically, all modern asphalt shingles are composite shingles. Today's shingles are made of fiberglass covered by asphalt and granules. Let's take a look at the four primary residential roofing shingles.
Traditional Shingles
Also known as 3-tab shingles, these are the oldest type available today. They have been around for a while, and new manufacturing technology has made them more efficient and durable. Traditional shingles are the most common residential roofing shingles getting their name because they are made up of three individual tabs or shingles, 12 inches wide with an exposure of 5 inches. 3-tab shingles come with 20, 25, or 30-year warranties. According to Consumer Reports, 3-tab residential roofing shingles are rated for winds up to 60 mph and moderate impact from flying debris or hail.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles are known by several names, including laminate and dimensional shingles. The difference between architectural and traditional shingles is their construction. Most architectural shingles have a 30-year warranty as manufacturing processes have improved. Today, many offer a lifetime warranty. Architectural residential roofing shingles are two asphalt strips laminated to form a single shingle. This gives them an advantage in weather resistance. Originally designed to mimic wood shake roofs, the tabs on these shingles vary in width and have slightly different colors to give them a more dimensional look. Architectural shingles have better curb appeal, a longer warranty, and higher wind resistance (up to 130 mph) than traditional 3-tab shingles. They are also more expensive.
Premium Shingles
Premium shingles are often referred to as laminate shingles or designer shingles. Like Architectural shingles, they have a two-layer construction and are made from a material that looks different than standard architectural shingles. Premium shingles come in designs meant to mimic old-world shingles, like natural slate or shake, to give your home a greater aesthetic appeal. In general, they give your roof a thicker, multi-dimensional look. Some premium shingles are impact-resistant and can better protect your roof from extreme weather, extending the life of your roofing system.
Performance Shingles
Many different residential roofing shingles may qualify as performance shingles. These are simply shingles designed to offer certain performance benefits, like wind resistance, hail resistance, or solar reflective properties.
Impact-resistant shingles come in 4 different classes. Class 1 is the lowest, and Class 4 is the highest level of protection from hail or debris impact. In Illinois, we often experience hail, high winds, winter ice, and punishing heat. For your best level of protection, consider a class 3 or class 4-rated shingle.
Other potential features include algae resistance, achieved by algae-resistant granules, and Class A fire resistance. Your roofing professional can help you choose the right shingle for your home's design and location.
The Four Classes of Residential Roofing Shingles Impact Resistance
The class of roofing shingles is determined by their impact resistance. Class 1 is the least impact-resistant, and class 4 offers the most. Here is a quick breakdown of how impact resistance is determined.
All impact-resistant classes are determined by the shingle's ability to withstand the impact of a steel ball dropped from 20 feet. Scientists developed the UL2218 test based on the determination that the kinetic energy created with a 20-foot drop matches the impact of a hailstone in a thunderstorm.
Class 1 Shingles
A 1.25-inch steel ball is dropped twice from a distance of 12 feet.
Class 2 Shingles
A 1.5-inch steel ball is dropped twice from 15 feet high.
Class 3 Shingles
A 1.75-inch ball is dropped twice from 17 feet high.
Class 4 Shingles
A 2-inch steel ball is dropped twice from 20 feet high.
A two-inch steel ball from 20 feet creates a lot of force and is bigger than the golf ball-sized hail you might have heard about. Golf ball-sized hail is rare. Homes are often well protected with class 3 shingles, which are a little more affordable.
Residential Roofing Shingles: Choosing the Right Shingle
Choosing the right shingle for your situation rests on several factors. First, consider your budget. Generally, the longer the warranty, the more expensive the product. While 3-tab shingles are the most affordable choice, they generally do not last as long as architectural or premium shingles. Typically, 3-tab shingles are rated for 60 mph winds compared to 130 mph for architectural or premium shingles – plus, premium shingles offer more impact resistance.
Another consideration is your home's look. Choose a shingle color and style that works with your home's exterior color. For environmentally conscious homeowners, shingles that offer reflective properties can keep their homes cooler, lower energy use, and reduce air-conditioning costs. As a general rule, for homeowners on a budget, the lighter the color, the less heat absorption.
Your roofing contractor can help you understand your options when choosing shingles and will know what's best for your location.
If you live in the Wilmette, Illinois area, give the experts at Lynch Roofing a call at (847) 217-0004. We can help you choose the perfect shingle to stand up to the challenges of our Illinois weather and up your home's curb appeal!
