20 Year or 30 Year Shingles? What’s the Difference?

Are you in the market for a new roof? Do you need to figure out what roof is going to work the best for your home? Trying to decide which roof is the best can be confusing for some, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as one might think. Once you have an understanding of the differences between the shingles, you can make an informed decision on which way to proceed.

Most of the 25-year shingles are a 3-tab shingle that has been out for quite some time now. You might want to think twice about using these particular shingles on your home. To help you understand why, consider this. Most of the architectural shingles aren’t going to cost you that much more to install. Plus, the 3-tab shingles are also more susceptible to wind damage and being ripped from your roof.

You will find that the majority of different architectural shingle brands come in three different grades. They offer the shingles in either 30-year, 40-year or 50-year grades. On average, you can expect a 30-year shingle to last around 25 years. On the other hand, the 40 and 50-year shingles are going to last you around 30 years on average. You have to consider how much wear and tear your shingles are taking from the elements. Most of the time, manufacturers assume you are going to move out of the home before your 30 years hit.

In terms of functionality, the longer the shingles are supposed to last, the thicker they are going to be. Shingles that are expected to last 30, 40 or 50 years are going to be thicker than 20-year shingles. Those extra granules put into the shingles will provide them with more thickness to help protect your roof more. Not only does a thicker shingle look better, but you won’t be replacing your roof as often. Architectural shingles in a 30 or 40-year grade are far better than their 20-year counterparts are. If you can afford the difference, you want to opt for the better shingle to get as long as you can from them.