What Are Luxury Asphalt Shingles? (Cost, Durability, and More)
Whether you want a new and improved look for your home, or you’ve got the bad news that you need a roof replacement, there is a fun part of the process: the design.
Many homes in America today feature asphalt shingles. But what you may not know is that there are different types of asphalt shingles. They all provide a different look and lifespan and come at different price points.
The most durable and affordable options for many homeowners will do just fine. However, you may want a more prestigious look for your home.
Luckily, there’s an option for you! Shingle manufacturers make luxury-stye asphalt shingles for those with expensive taste.
Before you dive into buying these shingles, you should ask, “what exactly are they, and what makes them worth the price?”
For over a decade, Rescue My Roof has been helping homeowners find the roofing materials of their dreams. Now, we want to help you determine if luxury shingles are the right shingles for you.
We’ll begin by defining what luxury asphalt shingles are. Then, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the best decision for your home: lifespan, cost, and warranties.
What are Luxury Asphalt Shingles?
Luxury asphalt shingles are exactly what they sound like: a premium (luxury) line of asphalt shingles. They mimic the appearance of other high-end shingle materials like slate and give your roof an expensive look compared to their cheaper counterparts.
It isn’t just the curb appeal that sets them apart from other asphalt shingles. An aspect of their premium quality is that they are made thicker, making them more durable.
A beautiful home and high durability sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? However, they do have a downside: their price. Luxury shingles come at a much steeper price.
The Durability, Cost, and Warranties of Luxury Asphalt Shingles
You’ve got the rundown of what luxury shingles are, and they may sound appealing. But, there are some other factors that you need to know before purchasing.
1. How Long Do Luxury Asphalt Shingles Last?
Replacing your roof is a significant financial investment. When you buy a roof, you want it to last a lifetime. You’ve made a major payment once already, so you don’t want to keep forking over money for repairs and future replacements.
That is why choosing a durable shingle is essential. The higher the durability, the more years you’ll get out of it.
Luxury asphalt shingles are thicker than 3-Tab or Dimensional shingles, meaning they have the longest lifespan out of the three options.
Under perfect conditions and with proper roof maintenance, you can get up to 30 years out of luxury asphalt shingles.
2. How Much Do Luxury Asphalt Shingles Cost?
As buying a roof is a big financial decision, many homeowners base their decisions around cost.
Luxury shingles are luxury for a reason. Be ready to pay for the quality at $4-7 per square foot. Luxury shingles also require different installation techniques that not every company has experience in, so you may be paying more for a company that can do the work.
Some conditions make these prices fluctuate. In the age of Covid-19, we have all seen those price increases in materials like wood and other things necessary for most home projects.
With shingles, costs can fluctuate with the rise and fall of prices in raw materials, transportation, fuel price increase, and more.
Prices can also change depending on what area of the county you are in. Make sure to cover your bases and check in with companies near you to ensure accuracy.
3. Luxury Asphalt Shingle Warranties
When you choose a luxury asphalt roof, you can look out for two types of warranties.
The first is a workmanship warranty from the roofing contractor. The second is a material warranty you get from the manufacturer.
Luxury shingles usually come with a 30-year prorated manufacturer’s warranty. As the years go on, the percentage of the cost of materials that a manufacturer covers will go down. If they originally covered 100 percent of the cost, they may only cover 40 percent ten years down the road.
However, manufacturer warranties do vary. You may find a manufacturer that offers a 50-year non-prorated warranty. This will cover the entire roof for the life of the roofing materials.
Improper installation and issues like inadequate roof ventilation will void manufacturer warranties. Hire a high-quality contractor to avoid these problems.
Are Luxury Asphalt Shingles Right for You?
Now that you know more about durability, pricing, and warranties, you should have a pretty good idea if luxury shingles are the right material for you.
If they are, congratulations! You are ready to reach out to a roofing contractor. If they’re not, it might be time to learn more about other materials.
You don’t have to go far. Learn more about other materials like clay and slate, or read “Are Composite Shingles Right For You” or “5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Roof Shingles” to explore your options.
If you are ready to start the roof replacement process, Rescue My Roof is the expert you need to complete your next roof replacement. Contact us below to get a free, fast, and honest roof estimate.