Planning a Roof Replacement? Learn More About the Cost of Roofing Shingles
Answering the question of how much it costs to replace a roof can be complicated. In general, however, one of the most important factors will be the material you use for your new roof. As the most common roofing material, chances are you’ll be using asphalt roofing shingles for the job—but the cost of these can still vary substantially based on the specific products chosen.
Here at Dolan Roofing & Construction, we believe in clear communication and transparent pricing. We understand that homeowners just want a straightforward answer about the price of a roof replacement, and our goal is to help educate our readers to help them plan accordingly.
If you’re planning to replace your roof soon, getting an idea of the cost is an important first step. We’re taking a look at the cost of the most common roofing shingles to help you plan.
Roofing Shingles Cost: Price Matrix
Before diving into the details, we’ve put together a pricing matrix as a quick overview of the cost of various roofing shingles.
Roof Type | Cost Range (By Sq Ft) | Average Cost (By Sq Ft) | Notes |
3-tab asphalt shingles | – | $4.00 | Most economical option |
Architectural Shingles | $5.00 – $7.00 | $5.86 | Enhanced durability and aesthetics |
Luxury Asphalt | $7.00 – 10.00 | $7.00 | Premium asphalt option |
Synthetic or Composite Shingles | $15.00 – $20.00 | – | Mimics natural materials |
With the overall numbers out there, let’s take a closer look at each type of shingle.
3-Tab Shingles
When homeowners think of shingles, the humble 3-tab shingle is probably the first that comes to mind. These are the most basic materials, and they’re priced accordingly—typically at the lowest price point of any material on the market.
Once dominant in the roofing market, 3-tab shingles are still very common as a roofing material primarily due to their low cost. However, they have fallen in popularity. Newer shingle varieties have improved on these products, resulting in higher-performing shingles that stand up better to storm damage.
Overall, 3-tab shingles are the most affordable option by quite a bit, coming in at around $4 per square foot. However, we rarely recommend them for homeowners, particularly here in San Antonio where strong storms are so commonplace. The unfortunate reality is that 3-tab shingles just don’t cut it anymore, especially when more durable roofing shingles are available at a modest increase in cost.
Architectural Shingles
The decline of 3-tab shingles has largely been due to the increasing popularity of architectural shingles. This category of shingles is designed to provide two key improvements over traditional 3-tab shingles: better looks and greater durability.
Architectural shingles have greatly improved the variety of looks that shingles can provide. With more layered and textured patterns, architectural shingles can provide a more aesthetic color palette, often emulating roofing materials such as wood shakes.
Architectural shingles are also heavier and sturdier than 3-tab shingles. This means they stand up better against high winds, hail, and other common sources of damage.
With better performance comes a higher price—these days architectural roofing shingles cost around $6 per square foot on average. However, they’re still quite affordable and the improved performance is certainly worth the difference in cost.
Luxury Shingles
“Luxury” can mean a lot of things when it comes to shingles. Overall, though, this category of roofing material refers to shingle products that are another step up from typical architectural shingle varieties.
These types of shingles are typically designed for superior performance. Where an architectural shingle may survive a few strong storms, the highest-end impact-resistant shingles may stand up even to large hail. In addition, the variety of colors and textures is typically broader, and luxury shingles may be designed to imitate materials like natural slate.
These roofs can outperform even the best architectural shingles, making luxury shingles worth considering for homeowners who want to ensure their roof provides maximum protection and curb appeal. Luxury shingles come in at the highest average cost, however, at around $7 per square foot or more.
Call Dolan Roofing & Construction for a Quote!
Roof shingles vary widely in price, and the overall cost of any roof replacement in San Antonio will depend directly on the materials you choose. However, other factors such as the state of your existing roof, the size of your home, and much more will affect the overall cost as well.
The best way to get a reliable estimate to budget around? Call on the professionals at Dolan Roofing & Construction. Our team will be happy to provide a complete, transparent estimate for your roof replacement, enabling you to choose a new roof that suits your needs and budget. Reach out to our team today to get started!