Dimensional vs. Luxury Shingles: How to Choose
A new roof breathes new life into your home – protecting it from the elements and adding curb appeal.
But buying a roof isn’t a cakewalk. Homeowners will have to decide on contractors, budget, and – the fun part – shingles.
Rescue My Roof has been helping homeowners achieve their dream roofs for over a decade. At the end of the process, you should be 100 percent confident in the roof you’ve invested in.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular options for homeowners – but did you know there are different styles?
We’ll break down the two best asphalt shingles – dimensional and luxury – to help you choose which is best for your home. Ultimately, you’ll walk away knowing which shingle will make your roofing dreams a reality.
Different Styles of Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the perfect solution for homes in diverse climates. Do you experience rain, snow, extreme heat, and a mild spring? Asphalt shingles handle well in all weather conditions.
But the job continues – you will choose from two types of asphalt shingles.
Dimensional Asphalt Shingles
Dimensional shingles are asphalt shingles but with a bit of spice.
Dimensional shingles are growing in popularity because they look more luxurious than traditional asphalt shingles but are still budget-friendly. Dimensional shingles cost $5-35 per sq. ft.
These shingles are layered; the added thickness makes it look like a cedar shake shingle. If you like the look of cedar shake shingles like those pictured below but don’t like the added costs, these shingles may be for you.
Luxury Asphalt Shingles
If you want a very high-end finish to your home, luxury shingles will add that incredible look of, well, luxury.
What separates luxury shingles from others? They are bigger, bolder, and fancier. But you pay for that high-end finish. Luxury asphalt shingles are more expensive than dimensional shingles, costing 25-50 percent more than the average asphalt roof.
Dimensional vs. Luxury Shingles: 5 Things to Consider
Dimensional or Luxury – how could you possibly choose?
When choosing a shingle material, always consider budget, the desired look, installation timeline, warranties, and longevity.
1. Roof Replacement Budget
Finances are always a big concern surrounding roof replacements. Knowing your financial limitations before choosing a shingle style is essential, as it will significantly impact the cost.
If you want a more cost-effective option while achieving a clean look for your home, dimensional shingles may be for you.
Ultimately, the primary difference between dimensional and luxury shingles is the price and a few added years of longevity. If those things aren’t a deal breaker for you, then dimensional shingles could be the one.
2. A New Look For Your Home
While replacing your roof may solve problems with leaks, a bonus is that you’ll also upgrade your home’s curb appeal.
Luxury shingles are installed in a different pattern than dimensional ones, adding a more dramatic effect. If your budget allows and that’s the look you fall in love with, luxury shingles may be your best option.
3. Installation Timeline
There are different installation techniques for dimensional and luxury shingles, meaning there is a difference in the installation timeline.
Dimensional shingles must be staggered with the shingle’s seams apart far enough to create a water-tight barrier. The pattern is random, so your roof may look more sporadic.
Because the pattern is not so meticulous, installation time is shorter. It will only take a day to install a dimensional asphalt roof.
Luxury shingles must be cut to your roof and be laid in a pattern. Depending on the manufacturer, the shingles may even have to interlock. Additionally, contractors have to take more time to stagger them perfectly, so the pattern is intact.
The luxury shingles pattern may add a day to the timeline. If you are in a rush to get your roof done, this will be something to consider.
4. Warranties
Sometimes, roof repairs are inevitable. There may be defects with the product or installation errors that need to be fixed.
Warranties will protect your wallet from unexpected repairs. If there’s an issue with the shingles, a manufacturer’s warranty may cover the cost of repairs.
If the installation was done incorrectly, a workmanship warranty will cover the cost of repairs (but not the materials).
Warranties for luxury shingles are longer than dimensional shingles. If you want to prioritize warranties, consider luxury shingles.
5. Longevity
We ask several questions when discussing what shingles or materials customers want to use. One is “how long are you planning to be in your home?” If the answer is “this is my forever house,” you may want to consider the longevity of the different shingles.
Dimensional shingles have a longer lifespan of 20-30 years. While they may come at a higher price tag, they also will have a better warranty. This can add years to your roof before needing repairs.
Luxury shingles also have a very long lifespan of 25-40 years and include a better warranty. However, they are harder to install and may require a crew with much experience. When installed incorrectly, they will not last as long. Make sure to read company reviews to ensure that you are getting the best installment possible to prevent any issues.
Dimensional vs. Luxury Shingles: Which is Better?
Considering the middle-range price, warranty, and modern look, dimensional shingles are one of the most popular shingle types. But, there is a shingle for every type of buyer.
Are you redoing the roof on a home in a high-end neighborhood without a budget? Luxury shingles will give you that desired, polished, and expensive look. Do you want something budget-friendly but still add modern curb appeal? Dimensional shingles are the way to go.
Choosing a particular product can seem daunting. Now have a better understanding of the different types of shingles you can choose for your home.
But that isn’t the last decision you’ll have to make. Once the job begins, you need to know a few other vital things. Read “10 Steps to Installing a New Roof” and “How Long Will My Roof Replacement or Repair Take?”.
Do you need a roof replacement in Southeastern Wisconsin? Rescue My Roof is here to serve. Contact us today to get a free estimate.