Complete Guide to Roofing Shingle Types
Expert comparison of architectural, dimensional, 3-tab, and composite shingles to help you make the best decision for your Myrtle Beach home. Compare lifespans, costs, wind ratings, and warranties.
Shingle Types Quick Comparison
| Shingle Type | Lifespan | Wind Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Tab Shingles | 15-20 years | 60-70 mph | Budget projects, rentals |
| Architectural Shingles | 25-30 years | 110-130 mph | Most homes (best value) |
| Dimensional Shingles | 30-40 years | 120-130 mph | Premium homes |
| Luxury/Designer Shingles | 40-50 years | 130+ mph | High-end homes |
| Impact-Resistant Shingles | 30-50 years | 110-130 mph | Hail/storm zones |
Contact us for a free quote on shingle installation in Myrtle Beach.
Understanding Shingle Categories
Asphalt roofing shingles dominate the residential roofing market, accounting for over 80% of homes in Myrtle Beach. Understanding the differences between shingle types helps you balance cost, performance, and aesthetics for your specific needs. All asphalt shingles share common components—fiberglass mat, asphalt coating, and ceramic granules—but vary significantly in thickness, layering, and engineering.
Architectural Shingles (Laminate/Dimensional)
MOST POPULARArchitectural shingles are the gold standard for residential roofing, offering the best balance of performance, aesthetics, and value. They feature multiple layers of material laminated together, creating dimensional texture that mimics wood shake or slate appearance while providing superior durability and wind resistance.
Key Advantages
- • 25-30 year lifespan (coastal climates)
- • 110-130 mph wind resistance standard
- • Enhanced curb appeal and depth
- • Excellent value for performance
- • Available in 40+ colors
- • Class A fire rating
- • Algae-resistant options standard
- • Hides roof imperfections better
- • Increases home resale value
Specifications
- • Weight: 240-350 lbs/square
- • Thickness: 3-4x thicker than 3-tab
- • Warranty: 30-50 years (prorated)
- • Wind warranty: Lifetime (with proper installation)
- • Contact us for competitive pricing
Weather Shield Recommendation
Architectural shingles are our top recommendation for 90% of Myrtle Beach homes. They provide exceptional hurricane resistance (when properly installed with 6-nail pattern), outstanding longevity for coastal environments, and beautiful aesthetics that increase property value. Choose impact-resistant architectural shingles (Class 4) for maximum protection and insurance discounts up to 20%. Ready to upgrade? Learn more about our shingle roof replacement services in Myrtle Beach.
3-Tab Shingles (Basic/Strip Shingles)
3-tab shingles represent the most basic and economical asphalt shingle option. They feature a single-layer construction with three tabs creating a uniform, flat appearance. While popular in previous decades, they\'ve largely been replaced by architectural shingles for primary residences due to limited lifespan and lower wind resistance.
Advantages
- • Lowest upfront cost
- • Faster installation
- • Adequate for basic needs
- • Lightweight (easier on structure)
- • Still widely available
Limitations
- • Only 15-20 year coastal lifespan
- • Low wind resistance (60-70 mph)
- • Flat, less attractive appearance
- • Limited color selection
- • More vulnerable to storm damage
- • Lower resale value impact
- • Higher long-term cost (frequent replacement)
15-20 Years
Coastal lifespan
60-70 mph
Wind resistance
Best Use Cases: Rental properties, budget-conscious projects, or temporary structures. Not recommended as primary option for owner-occupied homes in Myrtle Beach due to lower storm resistance and shorter lifespan. The small initial savings are often lost to more frequent replacement and higher storm damage risk.
Dimensional & Luxury Shingles
Dimensional and luxury shingles represent premium tiers above standard architectural shingles. They feature even thicker construction, more pronounced shadowing, enhanced granule technology, and designer aesthetics that replicate high-end materials like slate, cedar shake, or stone.
Dimensional Shingles
- • 30-40 year lifespan
- • Enhanced depth and shadow lines
- • Superior granule adhesion
- • Popular brands: GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration
- • StainGuard algae protection
- • LayerLock technology
Luxury/Designer Shingles
- • 40-50 year lifespan
- • Authentic slate/shake appearance
- • Highest wind ratings (130+ mph)
- • Premium brands: GAF Grand Sequoia, CertainTeed Grand Manor
- • Limited lifetime warranties
- • Maximum curb appeal and resale value
When to Choose Premium Shingles
Premium shingles are worthwhile for luxury homes ($500K+), historic properties requiring authentic appearance, homes with highly visible roofs, or when maximizing resale value is priority. The enhanced aesthetics and extended warranties justify the 20-40% price premium over standard architectural shingles for high-end properties.
Impact-Resistant Shingles (Class 4)
Impact-resistant shingles feature modified asphalt formulations (often with SBS polymer or rubberized asphalt) that provide superior resistance to hail, flying debris, and storm damage. They earn Class 4 rating (highest impact resistance) by withstanding 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet—twice the standard for regular shingles.
Key Benefits
- • Class 4 impact rating (highest available)
- • Insurance discounts 10-30%
- • Superior hail and debris resistance
- • Enhanced flexibility (resists cracking)
- • Better temperature performance
- • Longer lifespan (30-50 years)
- • Excellent for coastal hurricane zones
- • Available in architectural style
Product Features
- • 15-25% premium over standard architectural
- • Insurance savings offset cost within 5-10 years
- • Popular brands: GAF Timberline AS, Owens Corning SureNail
- • Enhanced warranties included
- • Lower lifetime cost due to fewer claims
- • Contact us for competitive pricing
Recommended for Myrtle Beach
Impact-resistant shingles are highly recommended for coastal South Carolina. Hurricane debris (tree branches, roof tiles, siding) causes extensive damage to standard shingles. Class 4 shingles withstand these impacts far better, preventing leaks and costly repairs. The insurance premium savings combined with reduced storm damage makes them cost-effective despite higher upfront costs.
Wind Resistance Ratings Explained
Wind resistance is critical for Myrtle Beach homes exposed to hurricanes and tropical storms. Shingles earn wind ratings through independent testing measuring pounds of force required to lift shingles from the roof. Proper installation (number of nails, sealing method, underlayment) is equally important as shingle quality for achieving rated performance.
Class F (60-90 mph)
Basic 3-tab shingles typically achieve Class F ratings. Adequate for inland areas but insufficient for coastal hurricane zones like Myrtle Beach.
Not Recommended for Coast
Class G (90-120 mph)
Standard architectural shingles achieve Class G with proper 4-nail installation. Acceptable for most coastal homes when properly installed with quality underlayment.
Minimum for Myrtle Beach
Class H (120-150 mph)
Premium architectural and impact-resistant shingles with 6-nail pattern achieve Class H. Excellent for direct coastal exposure and maximum hurricane protection.
Recommended for Coast
Installation Quality Matters More Than Shingle Rating
Even the highest-rated shingles will fail in moderate winds if improperly installed. Weather Shield Roofing uses enhanced installation specifications for coastal applications: 6-nail pattern (vs standard 4), high-wind starter strips, sealed valleys, and synthetic underlayment. These techniques can increase effective wind resistance by 20-40 mph over standard installation methods.
Warranty Comparison by Manufacturer
Understanding roofing warranties is essential for protecting your investment. Manufacturer warranties cover material defects, while contractor workmanship warranties cover installation issues. Most warranties are prorated—full coverage for initial years, then declining coverage based on age.
GAF (Most Popular)
Timberline HDZ (Architectural)
- • Lifetime limited warranty
- • 25-year non-prorated period
- • WindProven limited wind warranty (130 mph)
- • 15-year algae resistance
System Plus Warranty (Master Elite)
- • 50-year non-prorated coverage
- • Lifetime material warranty
- • 25-year workmanship coverage
- • Fully transferable
Owens Corning
Duration Series (Architectural)
- • Lifetime limited warranty
- • 10-year SureNail technology warranty
- • Limited wind resistance warranty (130 mph)
- • 10-year algae resistance
Platinum Protection (Preferred Contractor)
- • 50-year non-prorated period
- • Lifetime warranty coverage
- • 10-year workmanship warranty
- • Transferable with registration
CertainTeed
Landmark Series (Architectural)
- • Lifetime limited warranty
- • 15-year StreakFighter algae warranty
- • Limited wind warranty (110-130 mph)
- • ClimateFlex technology
SureStart PLUS (SELECT ShingleMaster)
- • 50-year non-prorated coverage
- • Lifetime warranty
- • 10-year workmanship warranty
- • Triple lifetime coverage on labor
Weather Shield Lifetime Workmanship Warranty
As a GAF Master Elite contractor, Weather Shield Roofing offers enhanced warranty options unavailable from standard contractors. Our lifetime workmanship warranty covers installation defects for as long as you own your home—far exceeding industry-standard 1-5 year workmanship warranties. This provides complete peace of mind knowing both materials and installation are protected long-term.
Learn About Our WarrantiesBest Shingles for Myrtle Beach Coastal Climate
Budget Choice
Standard Architectural
- • GAF Timberline HDZ
- • Owens Corning Duration
- • CertainTeed Landmark
- • 25-30 year lifespan
- • 110-130 mph wind rating
- • Contact us for pricing
Best Value (Recommended)
Impact-Resistant Architectural
- • GAF Timberline AS II
- • Owens Corning Duration Flex
- • CertainTeed NorthGate
- • 30-40 year lifespan
- • Class 4 impact rating
- • Insurance discounts 10-30%
Premium Choice
Luxury Impact-Resistant
- • GAF Grand Sequoia AS
- • CertainTeed Grand Manor
- • 40-50 year lifespan
- • Maximum curb appeal
- • Lifetime limited warranties
Weather Shield Expert Recommendation
For most Myrtle Beach homeowners, impact-resistant architectural shingles provide the best overall value. The modest premium over standard architectural shingles is typically offset by insurance premium savings within 5-10 years. More importantly, they provide significantly better storm damage resistance—reducing risk of catastrophic failure during hurricanes and severe weather events common to our coastal region.
We specifically recommend GAF Timberline AS II, Owens Corning Duration Flex, or CertainTeed NorthGate shingles installed with 6-nail high-wind pattern, synthetic underlayment, and sealed valleys for optimal coastal performance.
Looking Beyond Asphalt? Consider Metal Shingles
If you want the traditional shingle aesthetic with 50+ year durability and superior hurricane resistance, metal roofs that look like shingles may be your ideal solution. Stone-coated steel and architectural metal panels offer the curb appeal of premium asphalt shingles with 2-3x the lifespan and 150+ mph wind ratings.
Explore Metal Shingle Options →Request Your Free Roof Inspection Today
Don't wait for a small problem to become a big expense. Our certified inspectors will evaluate your roof at no cost.
- Complete roof evaluation with drone technology
- Detailed report with photos and recommendations
- Insurance claim assistance if damage is found
- Professional assessment with detailed report
Prefer to Talk? We're Here 24/7
Call Now - Free Quote
(843) 877-5539
Fast response - No obligation
Text Us
Get a quick response via SMS
Emergency Service Available
Storm damage? Sudden leak? We respond rapidly for emergency calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5,000+ roofs protected
15+ years of excellence
Trusted by homeowners across Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas