Architectural Shingles for Roofs in Louisville, Ohio
Architectural asphalt shingles go on every roof replaced through Louisville Ohio Roofing. Here is what that means for a house in Louisville, Ohio: how they are built, how long they tend to last here, what wind they are rated for and how you pick a color.
Quick facts
- What is included
- Starter strip, architectural field shingles and matching ridge caps, over synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield.
- Typical time
- Commonly one to two days to install. Typical service life in the Midwest is about 25 to 30 years.
- Permits
- Inside city limits, Louisville lists a building permit for reroofing. Planning and Zoning, 215 South Mill Street, issues it.
- How pricing works
- The shingle line and color are written on your flat quote, which is good for a year.
What are architectural shingles?
An architectural shingle, also called dimensional or laminated, is two layers of asphalt-coated fiberglass mat bonded together. The top layer is cut into tabs of different widths, so the roof shows depth and shadow instead of the flat brick pattern of older shingles. The extra layer makes each shingle thicker, heavier and harder for wind to lift.
How do they compare with 3-tab shingles?
| Feature | Architectural | 3-tab |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Two bonded layers | One flat layer |
| Typical Midwest service life | About 25 to 30 years | About 15 to 20 years |
| Common wind rating | 110 to 130 mph | 60 to 70 mph |
| Look | Varied, with shadow lines | Uniform slots |
| Cost per square | Higher | Lower |
Plenty of Louisville houses still carry 3-tab, especially where a builder roofed a whole street at once. When those come off, architectural shingles go on.
What lifespan should a Louisville homeowner expect from architectural shingles?
Twenty-five to thirty years is typical, and it is a typical figure, not a promise. What moves a roof toward one end or the other:
- Attic ventilation. A hot, stagnant attic bakes shingles from below. A ridge vent fed by open soffits keeps the deck closer to the outdoor temperature.
- Which way the slope faces. South and west slopes take the most sun and lose granules first. North slopes stay damp and grow moss or dark algae streaks.
- Shade. A slope under a big tree dries slowly and collects debris in the valleys.
- Nailing. Each shingle has a marked strip where nails belong. Nails set too high leave the shingle hanging by its sealant.
- Freeze and thaw. Months of cycling between frozen and wet works on every seam and fastener.
What wind rating do they carry?
Architectural shingles are commonly rated for 110 to 130 mph. That rating assumes correct nailing, a sealed starter course along the eaves and rakes, and seal strips that have bonded in warm weather. Houses on open ground get more wind than houses on a sheltered street, which matters for roofs in Nimishillen Township.
How is the shingle color chosen?
With you, at the house, in daylight. Shingle samples are held against the things that will not change: the brick, the siding, the trim and the stone on the porch. A few plain rules help.
- Brick decides first. Red and orange brick usually sits best under charcoal, black or a dark brown blend. Buff or tan brick takes weathered wood and gray tones.
- Blends hide more. A shingle with two or three tones masks dust, pollen and the first algae streaks better than a flat single color.
- Look from the street. A sample that looks busy in your hand evens out at fifty feet.
- Check the block. You do not have to match the neighbors, but it is worth seeing which roofs on your street you like.
Dark streaks on a north slope are algae, not dirt. Many architectural lines include algae-resistant granules, and you can ask which line is named on your quote.
What goes under and around the shingles?
Shingles are the visible part of a system. Under them sit synthetic underlayment over the whole deck and a self-adhering ice and water membrane along the eaves and in the valleys. At the edges are metal drip edge and a starter strip. At the top are a ridge vent and cap shingles. Around every pipe, wall and chimney is new flashing. Leave one of those out and the best shingle made will still leak. The roof replacement page for Louisville lists the full scope, and roof and gutter replacement covers the edge in detail.
What about the warranty?
A new roof comes with a manufacturer warranty on the shingles and a written Guttrz workmanship warranty. The terms of both are on your quote, so you can read them before you decide.
What is not installed?
Metal panels, slate, tile and flat-roof membranes. This is an asphalt shingle service only. If part of your house has a section too flat for shingles, the inspection report will say so plainly. To see what a shingle roof runs, read roof replacement cost in Louisville.
Shingle questions from Louisville homeowners
Can I get 3-tab shingles to save money?
Architectural shingles are the standard here. They cost somewhat more per square, but the longer typical life and the higher wind rating make them the better value on a roof you plan to keep.
Do dark shingles make the house hotter?
A dark roof does run warmer in direct sun, but in a house with reasonable attic insulation and a working ridge vent the effect on the rooms below is small. Ventilation matters far more than color.
How do I know my current shingles are worn out?
Look for curled or cupped edges, cracks across the tabs, bald patches where granules are gone, and piles of granules at the downspouts. Any one on a single slope is a warning. Several together usually mean the roof rates Replace Soon.
Can I see the shingle color on a house before choosing?
Samples are looked at against your own brick and siding in daylight, which tells you more than a photo on a screen. Driving past a few roofs in a color you like is also worth the ten minutes.
Want to see shingle samples against your house?
Color is settled with you at the house, and the one you choose is written on the quote.