A heavy-duty asphalt shingle manufactured with two or more layers of fiberglass mat bonded together. This layered construction creates a thick, three-dimensional profile that mimics the shadow lines of natural wood shakes or slate, while offering better wind resistance and a longer lifespan than standard flat shingles.
Heard on the job
We're tearing off the old three-tabs and upgrading the house to a thirty-year architectural shingle.
Also heard as
- dimensional shingle
- laminated shingle
Do not mix it up with
- Asphalt shingle: Standard asphalt shingles are a single flat layer, whereas architectural shingles are laminated with multiple layers for a 3D effect.
Related terms
Asphalt shingle
A waterproof roofing element made of a fiberglass or felt mat coated with bitumen and topped with mineral granules.
Dimensional shingle
An asphalt roofing shingle manufactured with multiple layers to create a textured, shadow-line appearance.
Square tab shingle
A standard asphalt roofing material cut with uniformly sized and spaced lower sections.