Architectural Shingles Cost (2025 Homeowners Guide)

Factors That Go Into Architectural Shingles Pricing

The cost of the shingles is only one part of the total cost of your new architectural shingle roof. When you get a quote from your local roofer, it will include the following cost factors, which take into account your roof’s size and complexity:

• Materials costs for the shingles and other needed supplies
• Basic labor rates and time to complete the project
• Removing your current roof and dump fees (if applicable)

Material Pricing for Architectural Shingles

The roofing material needed to install architectural shingles will include more than just the shingles themselves. The shingles range from $4 to around $8 per square foot, but the total cost of your roof will likely include the following roofing products:

• Underlayment
• Ventilation system equipment
• Ridge capping
• Roof flashing
• Drip edge
• Pipe boats
• Ice and water shield
• Starter shingles

Basic Labor Cost and Time to Complete Architectural Shingle Roof Installation

For professional roof installation, you’ll pay basic labor rates multiplied by the number of hours required to complete your project. Labor rates can vary based on the individual contractor, geographic location, and the experience and skill level of the workers involved. Generally, the more complex your roofing project, the more installation time it will take and the higher your total cost will be.

Removing Your Current Roof and Dump Fees

Unless your home is new construction, odds are you’ll have to remove your old roof before installing your new one. Old roof removal is critical if you already have two or more layers of roofing on your home. Your contractor will help you determine if old roof removal is necessary.

Roof removal will involve labor to do the removal work, a dump truck to transport the material, and dump fees. Be prepared for this to add $1,000 to $5,000 to your total cost.

Size and Complexity of Your Roof

Not all roofs are created equal — the size, accessibility and complexity of your roof impacts installation cost. If you have a larger roof, for example, you should be prepared to pay more than the national average simply because you require more material. The cost to replace your roof will also increase if you have roof features that add complexity such as dormer windows, skylights and ventilation systems.

Pros and Cons of Installing Architectural Roof Shingles

As you research different options for roof replacement, you’ll want to dive into some research on each type of roof to see if it’s a viable option for your region and your specific home. Once you’ve found the type of roof that suits you, check out our recommended roof replacement companies to find a local contractor near you.

Advantages of Architectural Shingles

• Huge range of colors and patterns to boost your home’s curb appeal
• 30-plus-year lifespan
• Thicker and more durable than traditional shingles
• Low maintenance

Disadvantages of Architectural Shingles

• More expensive than traditional asphalt shingles
• Architectural shingles weigh up to 50% more than traditional shingles
• Must tear off old shingles before installing new architectural shingles for best results
• Not environmentally friendly

Lifetime and Durability of Architectural Shingles

Unlike asphalt shingles that last between 15 and 20 years, architectural shingles have a long lifespan of 30 years or more. Manufacturers claim that architectural shingle material can withstand winds up to 110 miles per hour when properly attached to your roof, but consistent exposure to such extreme weather conditions can lower the shingles’ lifespan.

If you live in a hot and humid climate that experiences hurricanes and storms such as Florida and other Southern states, your architectural shingles roof will likely not last an entire 30 years. UV damage is another factor that can degrade architectural shingles. Especially if you have darker or colorful shingles, the color may deteriorate over time. 

Are Architectural Shingles Environmentally Friendly?

Architectural shingles contain fiberglass, which makes them more energy efficient than traditional asphalt shingles. Fiberglass has better insulative properties than other roofing materials because it prevents excess heat exchange.

Even though architectural shingles can be made to look like wood or slate shingles, they are not considered environmentally friendly. They’re not recyclable, and old shingles continue to add millions of tons of waste to landfills each year.

Some leading roofing companies such as GAF are working on new ways to recycle shingles.¹ But for now, eco-conscious homeowners can consider more environmentally friendly roofing options or can install solar panels on their roofs to boost the overall sustainability of their homes.

Financing Your New Architectural Roof Shingles

Architectural shingle roofs are expensive, so many homeowners opt to finance their roofing projects. If you don’t want to pay with cash up front, you have plenty of other options, including:

• Home equity loan
• Home equity line of credit
• Cash-out refinance
• FHA loan
• Personal loan
• Credit card

Depending on your contractor, you may get a discount if you pay up front in all or primarily cash. It’s also not uncommon to finance your roof through your contractor, so if this option interests you make sure you reach out to your roofing company before making any decisions.

Low-income households may also have access to government programs that offer roofing assistance, such as:

• Weatherization assistance programs
• Single-family home repair schemes
• House preservation programs
• Weatherization assistance for qualifying homeowners² 

The ROI of Your Architectural Shingles

Dimensional shingles have a projected lifespan of 30 years, but in some cases they can last for more than 50 years. Due to their extended lifespan, architectural shingles have an excellent return on investment (ROI) —  60% to 70%³.

Architectural shingle roofs last a long time and have a high return on investment, and the addition of a new roof can increase your property value. If you plan to sell your home and have an older roof, it may be worth replacing it as a new roof is a major selling point for a home.

Costs of Maintenance and Repairs for Architectural Shingles

The cost to repair your architectural shingle roof depends on the damage. Repairing limited damage can cost you as little as $150. Significant damage can set you back thousands or even necessitate a total roof replacement.

Some roofs require extensive maintenance to ensure they remain in tip-top condition, but for architectural shingles the only required maintenance is periodic washing and regularly inspecting for missing or cracked shingles, missing flashing and water stains on the underside of your roof. 

If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, you may need to have snow removal from your roof performed as heavy snow can compromise your roof structure. In addition, to preserve the integrity of your architectural shingle roof, make sure to regularly clean your gutters. If you notice any shingle granules in your gutter, that could be a sign of a deteriorating roof.

Roof Painting Prices for Architectural Shingles

If the color of your architectural shingles has faded and you don’t want to replace your roof, painting architectural shingles is absolutely an option. This budget-friendly alternative can cost as little as $1,000 to $3,000 — much less if you do it as a DIY project.

The downside to painting your shingles is that a coat of paint is not a substitute for repairs. If your roof is damaged, then simply updating the paint color will do nothing to protect your roof and home from damage. Before you commit to painting, check with a local roofing company to identify any potential challenges.

Costs of Cleaning Your Architectural Shingles

The cost to clean your shingles depends on your roof’s size and complexity, local labor costs and the extent of the cleaning you plan to do. The good news is that you don’t need to pressure wash your architectural shingles — a soft wash or chemical wash will do the trick. 

Chemical washes range from $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot and soft washes come in at around $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot. Gutters are necessary to maintaining a healthy roof so clear these of debris as you clean your roof.

You can wash your architectural shingle roof yourself, but keep in mind that these roofs often require a chemical wash. You’ll need to have some necessary supplies on hand including a hose, a pump/sprayer, and safety gear, and you may be working with toxic chemicals. Vinegar is a non-toxic choice you can use.

Are Architectural Shingles Worth the Cost?

If homeowners want to replace their old shingles with ones that are more durable and modern, architectural shingles are an excellent option. Because these shingles come in so many colors and patterns, homeowners have lots of choices for customizing the look of their roofs. You can even choose architectural shingles that mimic the look of other types of shingles, such as wood shakes.

Architectural shingles are more costly than some asphalt shingles, but they offer more durability and a longer lifespan. Although they may not be the most environmentally friendly option, new technologies are in development to make these shingles more recyclable.