How 3-tab shingles are built
A 3-tab shingle is a single layer of asphalt-coated mat with granules on top, cut into three equal tabs along the bottom edge. Installed, it gives a flat, regular brick-like pattern across the roof. It was a common choice on American homes for many years, and you'll still see it on older roofs around Northern Virginia.
How architectural shingles are built
Architectural shingles, also called dimensional or laminated shingles, are made of two or more layers bonded together, with the bottom layer cut in irregular shapes. The result is a thicker shingle with shadow lines and depth that reads as more textured from the street. The finished Herndon roof replacement on this page is a gray architectural shingle.
The practical differences
- Appearance: 3-tab looks flat and uniform; architectural has depth and variation that hides minor deck irregularities better.
- Thickness and weight: architectural shingles are heavier because of the extra layer.
- Cost: the Roofing Roughnecks cost guide places a standard asphalt shingle with a simple roof line in its Basic range ($9,000–$16,000) and an architectural shingle with moderate complexity in its Mid-Range ($16,000–$28,000). Complexity and decking also drive those differences.
- Warranty: manufacturers offer different warranty options by product line. Read the manufacturer's own documents for the product you choose.
- Repairs: matching an older 3-tab roof during a repair can be harder as product lines change.
What Roofing Roughnecks installs
The division installs architectural and premium lines from two manufacturers: GAF Timberline HDZ and Timberline UHDZ (architectural) and Grand Sequoia (a designer shingle with a shake-style look), and CertainTeed Landmark and Landmark Pro (architectural) and Presidential Shake (a premium designer shingle). Roofing Roughnecks holds CertainTeed Master Craftsman credentials as a Roofing Contractor and Shingle Quality Specialist.
Choosing for a Herndon home
Three local factors usually narrow the choice quickly.
- Your HOA. Many Herndon-area communities set approved colors or product types for roofs. Ask for the current guidelines before falling for a color.
- The historic district. Inside the Town of Herndon's historic district, roof replacement generally needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic District Review Board, which considers the material and its appearance.
- Townhouse rows. About 30% of the town's homes are townhouses, per the Town's 2020 estimate. A new shingle next to a neighbor's older roof will be visible; some HOAs specify one product for the whole row.
Color tips
- Look at full-size samples outdoors, in morning and afternoon light.
- Hold the sample against your siding, trim and brick.
- Drive past homes with the same shingle line if you can.
- Confirm the exact product line and color name in your written scope.
Two more finished architectural shingle roofs by Roofing Roughnecks: a dark gray roof in Centreville and a multi-gable roof in Ashburn.
Replacing a 3-tab roof with architectural shingles
Many Herndon homes built in the 1970s through the 1990s, which is most of the town's housing according to a town housing study, may have started with 3-tab roofs. When those roofs come up for replacement, switching to an architectural shingle is a common choice. The change is usually straightforward on a full tear-off, because the new roof goes onto a fresh underlayment over the repaired deck. It's more complicated as a partial repair, where a new architectural section would sit next to an old 3-tab area and look noticeably different.
If your roof is a mix of both, often because a past repair or storm claim replaced one slope, an inspection can tell you whether the older section has much life left. Sometimes it makes sense to replace the whole roof at once so it looks and ages the same.
What to put in writing
- The manufacturer and exact product line, not just 'architectural shingle.'
- The color name as the manufacturer lists it.
- The matching hip and ridge cap product.
- Any HOA or historic district approval the choice depends on.
Related pages
Do you install 3-tab shingles?▸
The product lines Roofing Roughnecks lists on its materials page are architectural and designer shingles from GAF and CertainTeed. Ask us if you have a specific need.
Can I mix architectural shingles with my neighbor's 3-tab roof on a townhouse?▸
Physically it can be detailed, but check your HOA first. Some communities specify a product or color for consistency across a row.
Are architectural shingles worth the extra cost?▸
Many homeowners choose them for the dimensional look and the wider range of product lines. The written scope should show the exact line so you can compare like with like.
Do I need approval to change shingle type?▸
If you're in an HOA or the Town of Herndon's historic district, likely yes. Check before ordering.