Utah roofs
Three-Tab, Architectural or Designer? How to Choose Asphalt Shingles for a Utah Roof
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If you’re getting roof replacement bids in Ogden, Layton, Bountiful, Sandy, or Lehi, someone will eventually hand you a sample board and ask which shingle you want: three-tab or architectural, impact-rated or standard, charcoal or weathered wood, and half a dozen brands.
GoNano published a roundup called 10 Best Asphalt Shingles for Durability and Aesthetics that walks through popular product lines. It’s a useful starting point, but The NuRoof Guys won’t crown a single “best” shingle, because the right one depends on your house and your part of Utah. Here’s how we’d think it through.
The three basic types of asphalt shingles
GoNano sorts asphalt shingles into three basic categories:
- Three-tab shingles are flat, single-layer shingles. GoNano says they’re widely used because they cost less and go on easily.
- Architectural shingles (also called dimensional or laminated) pack extra material into every shingle. GoNano describes them as sturdier and better at handling weather than three-tab.
- Luxury or designer shingles are the premium tier. GoNano notes they cost more and calls them often better-looking.
What matters most on a Utah roof
Hail: understand what an impact rating does and doesn’t mean
Some shingles are sold with an impact rating under the UL 2218 test. According to a research paper from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the test drops steel balls onto samples of the roof covering, and the classes run from Class 1 to Class 4, with Class 4 using the largest ball (2 inches).
That rating is worth asking about after storms like the September hail in Layton and Kaysville, but keep it in perspective. UL’s own description of the standard says “there is no currently established direct correlation between the performance of prepared roof covering materials when impacted by hailstones versus steel balls.” And IBHS notes that its lab criteria “do not necessarily reflect the performance criteria used by insurance companies in determining whether to repair or replace an asphalt shingle roof cover following a hail event.”
In plain terms, an impact rating helps you compare products. It isn’t a promise about your next storm. If insurance is part of your decision, ask your agent how your policy treats impact-rated roofs, and see our Utah homeowners insurance roof checklist.
Wind: the rating depends on the install
Canyon winds can hit the Davis and Weber county benches hard, from Farmington and Centerville up to Ogden. A shingle’s wind rating usually depends on installing it exactly as the manufacturer requires, so ask each contractor which rating applies to their install. More on that in what a “lifetime” shingle warranty really means.
Sun and heat: color is more than looks
Strong sun at elevation is one of the main reasons Utah asphalt roofs age faster than homeowners expect. Color affects how much of that sun the roof absorbs. Some manufacturers sell reflective “cool roof” shingle lines, and the Cool Roof Rating Council’s directory lists rated roof products with their measured solar reflectance, so you can look up a specific product’s published rating. That’s worth a look in St. George and Washington County heat. Compare the published ratings, not the sales pitch.
Moss and algae: less common here, but not unheard of
Most of Northern Utah is dry and sunny, so moss and algae streaks are less common than in wet climates. They do appear, usually on shaded north-facing slopes, under trees, in yards near the canyons and benches, and wherever leaves and needles hold moisture in a valley. Some shingle lines are marketed as algae-resistant, and GoNano’s roundup mentions one. Whether that’s worth paying for depends on shade. On a sunny Salt Lake City lot it may not matter; on a north slope under big trees in Logan or the Ogden foothills, it might.
Looks, HOAs, and resale
GoNano points out that roof appearance matters both to you and to any future buyer or renter. Before you pick a color:
- Check your HOA’s architectural rules if you have one. Some limit roof colors or styles.
- Look at a whole roof with the same shingle, outdoors in daylight. A small sample chip can look very different across a full roof.
- Match it to your brick, stucco, and trim.
Read a “best shingles” list for what it is
GoNano’s roundup names lines from Malarkey, IKO, Atlas, GAF, Tamko, and Owens Corning. Those descriptions come from GoNano and the manufacturers, and The NuRoof Guys aren’t ranking or endorsing any of them. GoNano itself calls the list “just a guide.”
For any shingle on any bid, ask for the exact product line (not just the brand), its impact and wind classifications, the manufacturer’s installation requirements, and the written warranty document.
Installation matters as much as the shingle
GoNano stresses that proper installation is crucial, and The NuRoof Guys agree. A premium shingle over the wrong underlayment, poor flashing, or a badly vented attic can still cause problems. Look for ice and water membrane along the eaves and in valleys, new flashing where it’s needed, ventilation that’s corrected rather than just copied, and a contractor licensed with Utah DOPL. And check your roof from the ground. Our Utah roof maintenance checklist shows what you can safely check without a ladder.
Repair · Restore · Replace
First, make sure you actually need new shingles.
- Repair handles a specific problem: a cracked pipe boot, lifted flashing, or a few damaged shingles.
- Restore is GoNano roof rejuvenation for an asphalt roof that’s dried out and weathered but still sound. It’s one step in a maintenance plan, not a way to make an old roof new, and rejuvenation is not right for every roof. If shingles are brittle, badly worn down to the mat, leaking, or still storm-damaged, they need roof repair or roof replacement instead. See roof sealing vs. rejuvenation for how treatments differ.
- Replace is the answer when the roof is worn out. That’s when shingle choice really counts.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between three-tab and architectural shingles? Three-tab shingles are flat and single-layer. Architectural shingles pack extra material into every shingle, and GoNano describes them as sturdier and better at handling weather.
Are Class 4 impact-rated shingles worth it in Utah? They’re worth comparing in hail-prone areas, but a Class 4 rating comes from a steel-ball lab test and isn’t a guarantee against hail. Ask your insurance agent how your policy treats them.
Do I need algae-resistant shingles in Utah? Usually only if your roof is heavily shaded. Moss and algae are less common in Utah’s dry climate than in wet ones.
Which shingle brand is best? There’s no single best brand. The right line depends on your home, budget, HOA rules, exposure to hail, wind, sun, and shade, and a correct installation.
Get a free roof inspection
Not sure your roof needs new shingles at all? The NuRoof Guys will inspect it, photograph what we find, and tell you honestly whether it calls for roof repair, GoNano roof restoration, a full roof replacement, or just more time. We work across Utah, mostly in Northern Utah and along the Wasatch Front.
Licensed Utah contractor #14225732-5501. Authorized GoNano installer.
Call 385-383-8479 · Email info@nuroofutah.com · Schedule a free roof inspection
Sources and further reading
- GoNano: 10 Best Asphalt Shingles for Durability and Aesthetics (July 30, 2024)
- UL Standards & Engagement: UL 2218, Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials (standard scope)
- IBHS: Relative Impact Resistance of Asphalt Shingles (PDF)
- Cool Roof Rating Council: Rated Products Directory
- The NuRoof Guys: What a “Lifetime” Shingle Warranty Really Means for Utah Homeowners