If your house was built or last re-roofed a while back, there’s a good chance it has 3-tab shingles: the flat, even rows with the notches every foot or so. Now a few tabs have blown off, or the shingles have gone brittle and curled, and you’re trying to decide whether to patch it, find matching shingles or move on to a new roof. Getting a straight answer on 3-tab shingle roofing in Springfield, MO shouldn’t be complicated.
The honest picture is a little different for 3-tab than for newer shingles, and it helps to know it before you call anyone.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and we repair 3-tab roofs and replace them when it’s time. Your inspection and estimate are free. Call 913-398-5020 to have someone look at your roof.
What 3-tab shingles are
A 3-tab shingle is a single layer of asphalt-coated mat with granules on top, cut into three equal tabs along the bottom edge. Laid in rows, that gives the roof a flat, uniform, brick-like pattern. For decades it was the standard roof on American homes, which is why so many older homes still have it.
Architectural shingles are the newer style. They’re made of two bonded layers, so they’re thicker and heavier, with an uneven, dimensional look. Most new roofs today use them.
3-tab vs. architectural shingles
The differences come down to a few things:
- Weight and thickness. 3-tab is a single, lighter layer. Architectural shingles are heavier and more rigid.
- Wind. 3-tab shingles usually carry lower wind ratings, and the separate tabs can catch the wind and tear off. That shows up after strong Missouri thunderstorms.
- Appearance. 3-tab is flat and uniform. Architectural has depth and shadow lines.
- Availability. With most new roofs going architectural, many manufacturers now offer fewer 3-tab colors, which can make matching harder.
For a full look at the newer style, see architectural shingle roofing in Springfield.
How 3-tab shingle roofing in Springfield, MO holds up to the weather
Wind is the biggest issue. The factory sealant strip under each tab holds it down, and on an older roof that bond weakens. A spring storm lifts the tab, creases it, and the next gust takes it off. Missing tabs in the yard are one of the most common reasons Springfield homeowners call about a 3-tab roof.
Hail is next. A thinner shingle has less to give, and hail knocks granules off and bruises the mat underneath. Winter freeze-thaw and ice at the eaves test the roof’s underlayment and edges. Summer heat dries out older shingles until they’re brittle and crack when bent, which also makes them harder to repair without breaking the neighbors.
Repairing a 3-tab roof
Repairs work when the damage is limited and the rest of the roof is still flexible and well sealed. A few blown-off tabs, a damaged area around a vent or a single slipped shingle can usually be fixed.
Two things make 3-tab repairs harder than they sound. Older shingles get brittle, so lifting them to slide in replacements can crack the ones around them. Matching is the other. Shingles fade over time, and the original color or brand may no longer be made. We’ll tell you how close a match will be before you decide. Our shingle roof repair in Springfield page covers repairs on any shingle roof.
When it’s time to move on from 3-tab
If tabs are coming off after every storm, the shingles are curling or cracking all over, or there’s hail damage across the roof, replacement is usually the better use of your money. When an older 3-tab roof is replaced, most homeowners choose architectural shingles for their wind performance and look. A new 3-tab roof is still possible, often on sheds, garages or where someone wants to match an existing building.
Re-roofing is also a chance to fix what’s under the shingles: replacing soft decking, adding ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys, and installing new drip edge and flashing. See our shingle roofing in Springfield page for how the whole system fits together.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos, an honest read on whether repair or replacement makes sense, and a written estimate with your options.
- Get the work done and the site cleaned up. Many residential roof replacements are finished in one day, and the crew picks up old shingles and nails before they leave.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
3-tab shingle questions
Are 3-tab shingles still made?
Yes, though many manufacturers now offer fewer 3-tab styles and colors than they used to, since most new roofs use architectural shingles.
Can I repair a few 3-tab shingles instead of replacing the roof?
If the rest of the roof is in good shape and still flexible, yes. On a very old, brittle roof, repairs can cause more cracking.
Why do my 3-tab shingles keep blowing off?
The seal strip under each tab weakens with age and heat, and the separate tabs catch the wind. Once a few go, the ones around them are more exposed.
Should I replace 3-tab with architectural shingles?
Most homeowners do, for the better wind performance and the look. If you’re matching a detached garage or outbuilding, 3-tab can still make sense.
A roof that stays put in the next storm
Missing tabs leave the underlayment open to rain, and a few storms of that can soak the decking. You don’t need to replace the roof tomorrow, but it helps to know where it stands.
With the right repair or a new roof, you won’t be walking the yard picking up shingles after every thunderstorm. Call 913-398-5020 to book your free inspection.
