And while I might be dreaming of the warming days and green of spring- winter is still definitely here. 

Last week, winter Storm Landon dumped ice and snow across the middle of our country. Schuylkill County wasn’t impacted this round- our friends in Northwest Pennsylvania will take the brunt instead. 

But hazardous winter weather conditions always stress the importance of roofing.

When it comes to strength over your head, nothing stacks up like architectural shingles. As Vern’s covered before– architectural shingles are similar to their simpler 3-tab but with several stand-out differences. 

Today, we’ll take a look at the style, and why we love them for Pennsylvania homeowners!

Curb Appeal… On A  Budget

Landscapers, pest monitoring, and home maintenance tasks- the list goes on and on. Protecting your home is a top priority, and homeowners work tirelessly to care for their biggest investment. 

But when it comes to curb appeal? An often overlooked piece of the puzzle is right above your head. Just look up!

In fact, your roof accounts for 40% of your home’s exterior look. Your exterior is the first thing visiting neighbors and nosey neighbors see, and boosting your curb appeal is the best way to showcase your home. 

But the sheer number of decisions about roofing materials can be overwhelming. Slate, metal, tile, shingle…there’s so many factors to consider!

So how do you pick the best roof for your home?

If your roof has a steep pitch, which is likely the case here in Schuylkill County, asphalt shingles are an excellent, durable choice of material. 80% of roof replacements are done with some form of asphalt shingles.

Standard 3-tab asphalt shingles and architectural shingles are both made with adhesive and asphalt on a fiberglass backing. So what’s the difference? 

Dimension. 

Unlike flat 3-tab shingles, the contour of architectural shingles can be designed to replicate higher-end cedar shake or slate roofing- but at a lower cost. While architectural shingles are more expensive than their 3-tab counterparts, they still offer significant cost savings over the high-end products they mimic. 

Want to learn more about roofing materials before making a decision? Read our ultimate roofing guide here. 

And curb appeal isn’t the only (or biggest) reason to make the switch. The biggest point in their favor? Durability. 

Long Live The Shingle 

Many homeowners go into the process of selecting a new roof looking to minimize the impact on their wallet. And if this describes you, it’s understandable. Budgets are a vital part of the consultation process.  

But is this really best practice? 

We’ve talked about how to choose a contractor in the past, and knowing your budget is the most important part of any conversation. But knowing your budget, and choosing materials based on ticket price alone can be a slippery slope. 

Saving money in the short term can mean replacing your roof sooner, especially in an area of the country where we see multiple types of weather. But more on that later. 

If you’re interested in leveling up your investment, architectural shingles are worth a look. Their increased durability means a longer life… which will save you money in the long run.  

Just how durable are they? 

The lifespan of architectural shingles is far above that of the standard 3-tab. When winter sends ice, sleet, and snow, the home covered in architectural shingles can withstand far more abuse. 

Even better? Architectural shingles come with a warranty to match their greater durability. A standard 3-tab roof usually only offers a 20-30 year warranty. But architectural shingles often include a warranty as long as 50 years!

Talk about protecting your wallet! 

Weather Every Storm

As the snowy days we are currently enjoying (or enduring!) fade into the blossoms of Spring, we can be sure of one thing here in Pennsylvania- thunderstorms are soon to follow. 

We live in what roofers consider a “mixed climate”. This means our roofs have to withstand both the stifling heat of summer as well as the icy cold of winter. 

Pennsylvanians see everything from hurricane force winds to blizzards during a given year. Even a run of the mill thunderstorm can result in damaging winds. Last September, Schuylkill County saw 75 mph downdraft winds causing damage so severe, some residents thought it was a possible tornado. 

The great news about these wild weather events? Architectural shingles are known for high wind resistance. And it’s not just wind, either. Architectural shingles are composited with a tough fiberglass mat sandwiched between two asphalt layers and then embedded with mineral granules on the top layer. Take a look at the difference between standard shingles vs architectural shingles below: 

The resulting product is impact resistant, and performs much better at hail testing than standard shingles. Which is good news for Pennsylvania homeowners! It’s not unusual to see hail over 1” in our state. 

A standard architectural shingle can resist wind speeds up to 120 mph. 

But when you work with our team? You’re working with the best in the industry through every step of your project! GAF, our roofing manufacturer, is known for high quality and durability. Their architectural shingles have a class F wind rating, and can withstand winds as high as 130 mph!

Three Cheers for Architectural Shingles

With all the benefits of architectural shingles? They’re a top choice for homeowners replacing their roof. We can’t recommend them enough!

Thinking about replacing your roof this spring but still have questions? We would love to walk you through your best options. Ready to make the switch? We’re excited to put you on our spring schedule. 

Give us a call 570-345-0406 to set up an appointment and get started!

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