Comparison · Shingles
Architectural or 3-tab shingles
One of these is on almost every new roof in the Panhandle and the other is mostly on roofs that were put on a while ago. Here is the actual difference, and where impact-resistant shingles sit next to both.
Schank Roofing · Scottsbluff, Nebraska · Updated 2026-09-22
The physical difference
- 3-tab
- A single flat layer, cut into three tabs so it reads as separate shingles. Light, cheap, and flat-looking on the roof. It was the default for decades.
- Architectural, sometimes called dimensional or laminate
- Two layers laminated together, so it is thicker, heavier, and has depth and shadow on the roof. The extra material is the reason it lasts longer and holds up better in wind.
Why architectural won
It is heavier, it handles wind better, it lasts longer, and it looks substantially better from the street. The price gap narrowed over the years to the point where 3-tab stopped being a meaningful saving on most houses.
The practical consequence is that if you are re-roofing a Panhandle house today, architectural is almost certainly the answer, and a quote built on 3-tab is worth asking about rather than assuming is a bargain.
What 3-tab is still good for
- Outbuildings and sheds where appearance and longevity matter less than cost.
- Matching an existing 3-tab roof where only a section is being replaced and a visual match matters.
- A property being sold quickly where the buyer is expected to re-roof anyway, though this is a short-term calculation and worth being honest with yourself about.
Where impact-resistant comes in
Impact-resistant shingles are a separate axis rather than a third option. They are architectural shingles built to take hail better, and in a place that gets hail as a season rather than a surprise that is a real consideration.
They cost more up front. Whether that is worth it depends on your exposure and on what your insurer does with them, which is a question for your agent rather than for a roofer. Some carriers price them differently and some do not.
We install Malarkey, and we are a Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor, listed in their public contractor directory since 2024. The Highlander AR on the Jacobs house on our projects page is the impact-resistant line.
What actually matters more than the shingle
Two roofs with identical shingles can perform very differently, and the difference is underneath.
- The condition of the decking, which nobody can see until the old roof is off.
- The underlayment, and whether ice and water shield went where it should.
- How the flashing was handled at every wall, valley and penetration, which is where roofs actually leak.
- Ventilation, which decides how hot the shingles run and therefore how fast they age.
Ask about those before you spend long comparing shingle lines. A premium shingle over bad flashing is a premium shingle that leaks.