After a heavy Yellowstone County hailstorm, homeowners often look up at their roof and wonder if the shingles actually held up. Billings Roofing Company receives calls around this time from homeowners wanting to talk about a full replacement. When you choose new asphalt shingles for your home in Billings, MT, you are usually choosing between two main tiers: standard architectural dimensions and high-end designer styles. We will break down how architectural shingles and designer shingles stack up against each other.
Cost and Upfront Investment
Architectural shingles are the workhorse of the roofing industry for a reason. They are competitively priced, widely available, and give you solid protection. Designer shingles, on the other hand, are heavier, thicker, and engineered to mimic natural slate or hand-split wood shakes. That extra craftsmanship and material mass drive the price up. If you are on a strict budget for your home in Billings, MT, architectural shingles are usually the default winner.
Durability Under Montana Skies
We live in a place where the weather does whatever it wants, whenever it wants. Between the heavy wet snows in the Heights and those brutal winds howling off the Rimrocks, your roof takes a beating. Architectural shingles handle wind ratings up to about 110 or 130 mph, which is plenty tough for most neighborhoods in Billings. Designer shingles take it a step further with multi-layered construction and higher impact resistance ratings. If you choose a Class 4 impact-resistant designer shingle, you are getting maximum defense against the type of hail that chews up standard roofs.
Appearance and Curb Appeal
Architectural shingles offer a nice dimensional look with shadow lines that add depth to a plain roof deck. They look clean and fit right in on almost any style of house in Billings, MT. Designer shingles are built to make a statement. If you want your home to look like it has authentic European slate or deep, rustic wood shakes without the structural headache of reinforcing your framing for actual stone, designer profiles deliver curb appeal. They change the entire architectural character of a house in Billings.
Maintenance Reality Check
Neither option requires you to spend your weekends up on a ladder, but durability dictates long-term maintenance. Architectural roofs typically last 25 to 30 years if they are installed properly with good attic ventilation. Designer shingles often push past 35 or 50 years, backed by stronger non-prorated warranties from manufacturers. Fewer repairs over the long haul usually offset that initial price tag if you plan on staying in your Billings house for many years.
For homes and businesses in Billings, Billings Roofing Company provides asphalt shingle roofing services to match your needs and budget.