Harrisburg PA RoofingDauphin & Cumberland counties

Homeowner question · Updated 2026-10-11

Architectural or three-tab shingles?

Most roofs on older central Pennsylvania houses were laid with flat three-tab shingles. Most replacements today use architectural shingles. Here is what the difference means for your house.

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What each one is

A three-tab shingle is a single layer of asphalt mat with two slots cut in the bottom edge, making three equal tabs. On the roof it forms a flat, regular pattern.

An architectural shingle, also called dimensional or laminated, is two or more layers bonded together with an uneven bottom edge. The roof looks thicker and more textured, a little like wood shakes or slate from the street.

How they compare

  • Construction. Three-tab is one layer; architectural is two or more.
  • Weight. Architectural shingles are heavier and thicker.
  • Wind. Architectural lines usually carry higher wind classifications when installed with the maker's nailing pattern.
  • Service life. Makers generally expect architectural shingles to last longer.
  • Availability. Fewer three-tab lines are still made, and many crews rarely install them.

Read the data sheet

Wind and service life vary by product, not just by type. Ask for the manufacturer's data sheet for the exact shingle line being proposed.

Central Pennsylvania weather

Summer thunderstorms bring gusty winds and hail across the Susquehanna Valley, and winter brings freeze-thaw cycles and the occasional heavy snow. Thicker shingles stand up better to lifting in wind, and their extra mass helps them lie flat. Neither type will stop ice dams on its own; that depends on the ice barrier and attic airflow.

See also: Hail damage and roof replacement · Ice dams on Harrisburg homes

Matching the shingle to the house

  • Postwar ranches and split-levels in Lower Paxton and Susquehanna Township usually get architectural shingles in a mid-tone color.
  • Older brick homes in Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg often look right with a darker, slate-toned architectural line.
  • Rowhouses with low-slope rear roofs may need a membrane on those sections instead of shingles.
  • Houses in a local historic district, such as parts of Harrisburg, may need approval for roofing changes; ask the city first.

See also: Asphalt shingle roofs · Slate and metal roofs

Choosing a color

Look at full-size sample boards outside, in daylight, from the street. Small chips in a brochure look very different from a whole roof. Darker shingles run hotter in summer, but good attic ventilation matters more for how long a roof lasts.

Questions

+Are three-tab shingles still allowed in Pennsylvania?

Yes. The building code does not require one type over the other. The choice is about availability, looks and wind performance.

+Can I mix shingle types on one house?

It is better not to on the same roof plane, because the two look different and lie differently. A detached garage can be roofed separately.

+Do architectural shingles need special installation?

They follow the same basic steps, but each product has its own nailing pattern and starter strip. A crew should follow the maker's instructions for the exact shingle being used.

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