3-tab shingles are usually not the best choice for a Colorado Springs home. They are a single thin layer, Owens Corning’s Supreme 3-tab carries a 60 mph wind rating, and the National Weather Service warns that winds of 60 to near 100 mph can hit near the foothills, Colorado Springs included. Laminated (architectural) shingles are two bonded layers; Owens Corning rates its Oakridge line for 110 mph, or 130 mph with six nails and its starter and hip and ridge shingles. 3-tab still makes sense on sheds, outbuildings, short-term rentals and repairs that must match an existing 3-tab roof.
Five reasons we steer homeowners away from 3-tab
- Wind. A 3-tab has three separate tabs held down by one sealant strip each. When a gust gets under a tab that has not sealed, it flexes and tears. In our experience, after big Front Range windstorms we see more 3-tab roofs losing shingles than laminated roofs on the same streets.
- Hail. Thinner shingles have less material to absorb an impact. After small to medium hail, 3-tab roofs tend to show bruising and granule loss sooner than laminated roofs.
- Debris at the tabs. Wind drives needles and grit into the cutouts between tabs, which can hold water and keep the sealant from bonding.
- Wavy decks show through. A flat, thin shingle telegraphs every high and low in an older deck. A laminate’s shadow lines hide them.
- HOAs and resale. Many HOAs require dimensional shingles, and buyers and inspectors read 3-tab as an older, budget roof.
3-tab vs laminated at a glance
| Supreme 3-tab | Oakridge laminated | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Single layer, three tabs | Two layers bonded together |
| Wind rating (Owens Corning) | 60 mph | 110 mph; 130 mph with six nails and specified starter and hip and ridge |
| Limited warranty | 25 years | Limited lifetime |
| Fire rating | Class A | Class A |
| Look | Flat, uniform | Dimensional shadow lines |
Our 3-tab vs architectural shingle comparison goes deeper on the products, and how asphalt shingles are made explains why the second layer matters.
Where 3-tab still fits
- Detached garages, sheds and outbuildings, where the budget matters more than the wind rating. PPRBD allows Class B on accessory structures in the city, and 3-tab exceeds it.
- Repairs on a 3-tab roof, to keep the patch from standing out, as long as a close color is available.
- A rental you plan to sell soon, with your eyes open about wind.
If you are replacing a 3-tab roof
On a full replacement, the shingle is only part of the cost: tear-off, underlayment, ice barrier, drip edge, flashing, vents and disposal are the same whichever shingle goes on. That is why the step up to laminated is often smaller than expected. For the rest of the system, read what a roofing system includes; to check whether the old roof is truly done, see when an asphalt roof needs replacement; and if hail is the worry, compare whether a Class 4 shingle is worth it. For shapes and materials beyond shingles, see Colorado Springs’ favorite roof styles.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800, book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection, or see 3-tab shingle roofing in Colorado Springs.
Sources: Owens Corning, Supreme and Oakridge product pages (wind, warranty and fire ratings); National Weather Service Denver/Boulder, High Wind Safety; Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024).
