Organic vs laminated architectural asphalt shingles

• Do you like this article?
• Tweet

Choosing a roofing material can be difficult when faced with the many brands and types of roofing available. When it comes to asphalt shingles, the choice is primarily between organic asphalt shingles and laminated architectural asphalt shingles. Both types have their pros and cons, so knowing the differences between them will go a long way toward making an informed choice.

Laminated architectural asphalt shingles were created to provide asphalt shingle roofs with looks that can mimic cedar wood shakes or slate shingles. The shingles are created using a fiberglass mat base that is covered in ceramic-coated granules to produce colorful hues. The heavy coat of granules also gives most laminated shingles a Class A fire rating.

Laminated architectural asphalt shingles are layered to add durability. This layering makes them thicker than organic shingles and increases their weight significantly, with some laminated shingles weighing in at 480 pounds per 100 square feet of roof area. The thickness of the shingles gives them high wind tear-off resistance, with most laminated shingles being rated for 120 mph winds. They also commonly feature copper or zinc granules that help to prevent discoloration from algae growth. 

Organic asphalt shingle are the more traditional type of asphalt shingle. These organic shingles consist of an organic mat created from a layer of recycled felt paper. The felt mat is then saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. Once saturated, the mat is covered with a coating of adhesive asphalt that contains ceramic granules.

Since there is more asphalt in the organic shingle than there is in the laminated architectural shingle, the organic shingle can be more costly. This extra asphalt creates a more rugged and flexible shingle, though the mat tends to absorb moisture that causes the shingle to warp with time. Many brands of organic asphalt shingles have a wind tear-off rating of 120 pounds. The weight of organic shingles is typically 240 pounds per 100 square feet of coverage.

Organic shingles are manufactured with a three-tab design. The tabs form cutouts along the bottom edge of the shingle so that each of the shingles appears to be three pieces after installation. The laminated architectural asphalt shingles have no cutouts. Instead, the laminated shingles contain a strip of material that's laminated with an additional layer of asphalt.

This strip is used to bond lines of shingles together using an asphalt sealant to increase the waterproof capabilities of the shingles. It also helps to create the three-dimensional look of the shingles. Because laminated shingles are bonded in this way, they have less resistance to wind-driven rain than organics, making them less suitable for low-sloping roofs.

Both types come with an extensive warranty, offering protection from manufacturing damage, wind tear-away, and algae discoloration. You'll also find that most large manufacturers such as CertainTeed, GAF, IKO, Owens Corning and Malarkey offers a range of slate shingles that covers both types. This helps you narrow down your choice in shingle to the material type and manufacturer that best fits your decorative and protective needs.

The cost of installation for both types will vary primarily according to labor costs in your region. Using Reply!, you can locate a local roofer who can install either the organic or laminated shingles. The roofer will need to examine your home to give you a roofing estimate. This estimate should cover the basic roofing cost of installing the material of your choice as well as the time required for the installation.

Choosing between organic asphalt shingles and laminated architectural asphalt shingles requires a close examination of the differences between the two shingle types. The differences are rather broad, which should make your choice easy, based on your particular roofing needs.