If you're looking into getting asphalt shingle roofing done on your home, the number of options can seem overwhelming. After all, you must consider different aspects like price, durability, and aesthetics. Have no fear; we've compiled this helpful guide to give you the best options!
When it comes to durability, the best asphalt shingles for residential roofing are the TAMKO Titan XT and the Atlas StormMaster Slate. The best designs are the Malarkey 3-Tab, the Crowne, and TAMKO Heritage. Lastly, the cheapest are the Malarkey 3-Tab and the IKO Cambridge 3-tab. So, if you’re just itching to find the best asphalt shingles on the market, read on!
What are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing system composed of overlapping units usually made from asphalt or fiberglass, which is then coated with asphalt. This roofing system is widely used due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and high resistance to wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.
1. Malarkey 3-Tab Asphalt Shingles
When it comes to durability from the elements and rapid temperature changes, Malarkey’s 3-Tab asphalt shingles are definitely a great choice.
These shingles are constantly praised for their easy installation along with their lifespan. And to top it off, they’re made from their patented Dura-Seal™ AR, a mixture of rubberized asphalt that prevents any nasty algae growth and can filter out smog particles.
With the Malarkey 3-Tab, the cost of an individual square is affordably priced at around $75 to $80. However, the 3-Tab only has a 60- 70 mph wind resistance. In our opinion, the 3-Tab shingles’ durability, affordability, and many color options more than make up for it!
2. IKO Cambridge 3-Tab
As one of the most affordable asphalt shingles out there, the IKO Cambridge 3-Tab only costs around $90 per square. These shingles have wind resistance up to 130mph and a fiberglass mat that makes them as tough as nails and prevents them from detaching in extreme weather conditions.
Plus, these shingles come in a range of stylish options to create stunningly upmarket designs at just a fraction of the price. The Cambridge 3-Tab uses a sophisticated color blending technique which comes in over ten hues inspired by the landscapes of the natural world.
3. TAMKO Titan XT Asphalt Shingles
The TAMKO Titan XT range is one of the most durable and long-lasting Asphalt Shingles on the market right now. Titan XT shingles can last up to 160mph due to TAKMKO’ s WindGUARD™ Warranty which provides extreme wind resistance only using four nails in the expanded nailing zone.
On average, Titan XT asphalt shingles have a relatively short warranty of 10 years. However, its’ fantastic AnchorLock™ layer technology made from a layer of poly fabric, firmly locks in nails securing shingles even during hurricane winds. Plus, per square, it's only about $75 to install.
4. Atlas StormMaster Slate Shingle
The Atlas StormMaster Slate Shingle is an asphalt shingle that genuinely lives up to its name. After all, this bad boy can withstand up to 130mph of wind, rain, and hail due to its unique, interlocked design.
These shingles are also energy efficient due to their Energy Star rating which means that they have a thermal coating that reflects the sun's heat away from home. This means you can save up to 15% on your air conditioning.
The StormMaster Shingles are also priced as middle-range shingles at $130 per square, despite their high performance. It's no wonder these shingles consistently come out on top when it comes to the best Asphalt shingles.
5. IKO Crowne Slate Shingle
IKO's Crowne Slate Shingles is a great contender for the best asphalt shingles. This product mimics slate perfectly with great color blending and texture, and it's also remarkably easy to install. These shingles also weigh more than the average, which lets them easily withstand hail and snow.
As a plus, the Crown Slate Shingles are also energy efficient due it's reflection of sunlight which helps regulate insulation of temperatures in both winter and summer. These elegant shingles come in 2 standard colors and cost anywhere from $155 to $180 per square.
6. TAMKO Heritage Shingles
TAMKO Heritage Shingles, another favorite of TAMKO buyers, is an amazing option for homeowners who are just starting out but still want a good quality product. Heritage shingles come in over a dozen earthy hues and styles so that you can choose between modern and traditional styles.
The thick foundation mat of these shingles is made from a tough interlocking fiberglass composition laminated with two layers of asphalt, giving it high impact resistance. They have a decade-long non-prorated Warranty, which adds to this line's value as a product.
This TAMKO line features its win resistance technology which, in addition to having a laminated composition, gives these shingles a much longer lifespan. These shingles are one of the most affordable on the market, costing about $70 per square.
7. GAF Timberline HDZ® Roofing
GAF’s Timberline HDZ® Roofing features numerous patented GAF technologies like LayerLock™ Technology. This addition improves the grip between overlapping shingles, ultimately improving its wind resistance which is up to 130mph. This line is priced at about $125 per square.
The line’s Layerlock™ Technology is also constructed with a StrikeZone™, which outlines the areas in which nails should be placed, enhancing the accuracy of nail placement by up to 99 %.
The Timberline HDZ line features 16 nature-inspired hues and patented High Definition® bands of shadows to improve the aesthetics of your roof's dimensions. It also features StainGuard Plus™, which prevents the growth of blue-green algae and subsequent stains.
Final Thoughts
Now that we've reviewed some of the best-rated Asphalt shingles, it's easy to see that the best-performing shingles are usually not the most expensive. You really don't have to spend an arm and leg to get the best quality.
Whether it's high durability, energy efficiency, aesthetic value, wind resistance, or affordability, brands like CertainTeed, Malarkey Roofing, Atlas Roofing, TAMKO, GAF, Owens Corning, and IKO certainly deliver!