Just finished helping my brother reroof his house, and we got into this debate about whether architectural shingles are really worth it compared to regular 3-tab. From what I understand, architectural shingles are thicker and supposed to last longer (some say 30 years or more), but I'm not sure if that's just marketing hype. The 3-tabs are cheaper, but supposedly only good for around 15-20 years. We went with architectural anyway cause he liked the look better...but I'm curious if anyone has actual experience or tips on getting the most lifespan from either type?
I've had architectural shingles on my place for about 12 years now, and they're holding up pretty well. But honestly, lifespan depends a lot on installation quality and ventilation too—not just shingle type. Regular maintenance helps more than anything else I've seen.
