What are architectural shingles?
Architectural shingles are asphalt shingles made of two layers bonded together. Some roofers call them dimensional shingles, others laminated. The extra layer makes them thicker and heavier than the flat three-tab shingles that were the standard roof on American houses from the 1950s into the 1990s, which is the era most Cuyahoga Falls homes come from. It also gives the roof a textured look with shadow lines instead of a grid of slots.
Architectural or 3-tab: what is the difference on a roof?
| Feature | 3-tab | Architectural |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Single layer with cutouts | Two laminated layers |
| Typical life in the Midwest | 15 to 20 years | 25 to 30 years |
| Common wind rating | 60 to 70 mph | Often 110 to 130 mph |
| Look | Flat, uniform rows | Varied, with depth |
Typical figures for each shingle type. The exact wind rating depends on the line named on your quote.
The wind number matters here. Much of the Falls sits on open ground above the Cuyahoga Valley, and a long ranch ridge gives a west wind plenty to grab. A heavier shingle with a wider nailing zone and a stronger seal strip stays put better.
How do you choose a shingle color?
You choose it, with samples in your hand, before the install date is set. A few things make the choice easier:
- Look at samples outside. Hold them against the brick or siding in daylight, on both the sunny and the shady side of the house.
- Start from what will not change. Brick, stone and window trim stay. The roof should suit them.
- Think about the street. On blocks of similar ranches and Cape Cods, a roof that is a shade lighter or darker than the neighbors looks fine. One that fights them does not.
- Darker hides more. Algae streaks and tree stains show less on mid and dark blends, which helps on shaded lots.
The color you settle on is written on the quote next to the shingle line, so there is no confusion on install day.
How long will new shingles last on a Falls roof?
The typical figure is 25 to 30 years. Three local things pull that number down.
Shade. Cuyahoga Falls has been a Tree City USA community since 1987, and the older streets show it. A north slope under big hardwoods stays damp, grows moss and loses granules sooner.
Attic heat. A poorly vented attic cooks shingles from below in July. Cape Cods are the worst for this because the upstairs rooms leave so little open attic. The ridge vent in every replacement helps, as long as air can also get in low.
Ice. The Akron area averages about 47 inches of snow a season. Melt and refreeze at the eave works at the bottom courses winter after winter.
None of those can be removed, but each can be managed. Trimming limbs back, keeping the intake vents clear and cleaning the gutters before the first freeze all add years.
What goes under the shingles?
The shingle is the part you see. What is beneath it decides whether the roof leaks: synthetic underlayment over the deck, ice and water shield at the eaves and in the valleys, drip edge along the edges, and a starter strip under the first row. The roof replacement page for Cuyahoga Falls lists the full scope.
What about the warranty?
There are two. The shingle maker stands behind the product, and Guttrz gives a written workmanship warranty on the install. The terms of each are on your quote, so read them there instead of trusting a summary on a web page.
Is anything besides asphalt offered?
No. Metal, slate, tile and flat roofing systems are not installed through this site. If you are weighing shingle types against your budget, the Cuyahoga Falls roof cost page shows what moves the total, and a free roof inspection will tell you whether you need new shingles yet at all.
See samples against your own house
Color is easier to judge on your driveway than on a screen. It starts with a free look at the roof you have now.