Architectural Asphalt Shingles
Architectural shingles are the most common roofing choice we install on homes across DFW and North Texas. The name describes how the shingle looks and is built, not how it performs in hail.
What this material is
An architectural shingle is a laminated asphalt shingle. Two or more layers of asphalt-coated fiberglass mat are bonded together, then surfaced with mineral granules. The added layer gives the shingle its thickness and its shadowed, dimensional appearance.
Properties and applications it may suit
- Homes with steeper, visible roof planes where the shingle contributes to curb appeal
- Replacements where the existing roof is already asphalt and the deck is in sound condition
- Properties where the owner wants a wide range of colors and a familiar, widely stocked material
- Neighborhoods with HOA color or style requirements, since the color range is broad
Appearance and customization
- Layered, dimensional surface that casts shadow lines across the roof
- Color blends that range from light weathered tones to near black
- Ridge cap and starter courses are selected to match the field shingle
- Drip edge, vents, and flashings can be color matched on most projects
Installation considerations
- We inspect the decking after tear-off and replace damaged or soft sheathing before anything is installed
- Underlayment, ice and water protection at vulnerable areas, and starter courses are installed to the manufacturer's written instructions
- Valleys, walls, chimneys, and pipe penetrations are flashed as part of the system, not patched afterward
- Intake and exhaust ventilation are reviewed during the same project, since a new roof changes nothing about an unbalanced attic
Maintenance considerations
- Look over the roof from the ground after each significant storm
- Keep gutters and valleys clear so water is not held against the shingles
- Trim limbs that rub or drop debris onto the roof surface
- Have sealant at flashings and penetrations checked periodically, since those details usually need attention before the field shingles do
Manufacturers and product lines
Product lines JF Roofing installs. Colors and local availability are confirmed before we order, starting from ZIP code 76043 by default.
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration STORM
- Owens Corning Oakridge
- Owens Corning TruDefinition Oakridge
- TAMKO Titan XT
- TAMKO StormFighter FLEX
- TAMKO HailGuard
- CertainTeed Landmark PRO
These asphalt product lines are supported in our roof visualizer, so you can see colors on a photo of your own home. The visualizer covers asphalt shingles only.
Common questions
- Is an architectural shingle the same as an impact-rated shingle?
- No. Architectural describes how the shingle is built and how it looks. An impact rating comes from a separate test on a specific product. Some architectural shingles carry a rating and some do not, so we confirm it for the exact product before recommending it.
- Can architectural shingles go over an existing roof?
- Sometimes, but we do not recommend it as a default. Layering hides deck damage and makes future repairs harder. We look at the existing roof and the deck before discussing whether it is even an option.
- Will the color on the sample match my roof?
- A small sample rarely reads the same as a full roof. Use the roof visualizer to see a shingle color on your own photo, and ask us to point out a nearby home with the same color when one is available.
Talk through architectural shingles on your property
We will look at your roof, explain what the system would involve here, and answer your questions before you decide.
Educate. Facilitate. Add value.