Asphalt Roof Shingles Cost: 2026 Pricing by Type

$100 per square. That’s about what you’ll pay for a bundle of standard 3-tab asphalt shingles right now, and it’s just the starting point. The real number depends on what type of shingle you pick, who installs it, and what your roof looks like underneath.

I’ve been estimating and managing roofing projects across the Pacific Northwest for over two decades. Asphalt shingles are still the most popular roofing material in the country by a wide margin, covering roughly 80% of residential roofs according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). But “asphalt shingles” isn’t one product. There’s a huge cost spread between a basic 3-tab and a premium architectural shingle, and that’s before you factor in labor, tear-off, and underlayment.

This guide breaks down every cost component so you can price your next roofing job accurately or understand what your contractor is quoting you.

Use our Roofing Calculator to estimate materials and total cost for your specific roof size. Or Try EstimationPro free to build a complete roofing estimate with line-item pricing in minutes.

Quick Answer: What Do Asphalt Shingles Cost?

Asphalt shingle materials cost $70 to $250 per square (100 sq ft), depending on the type. Standard 3-tab shingles run $70 to $200 per square for materials only. Architectural (dimensional) shingles run $100 to $250 per square. Fully installed, expect to pay $3 to $7 per square foot including labor, tear-off, and materials.

For a typical 2,000 sq ft roof (20 squares), here’s what the full project looks like:

Shingle Type	Material per Square	Installed per Sq Ft	Total Project (20 Squares)
3-Tab	$70 - $200	$3.00 - $5.00	$6,000 - $10,000
Architectural	$100 - $250	$4.00 - $7.00	$8,000 - $14,000
Premium/Designer	$200 - $400+	$6.00 - $10.00+	$12,000 - $20,000+

Sources: Angi 2026 cost data, HomeAdvisor 2025 roofing cost survey

Regional pricing note: These ranges reflect national averages. Your actual costs will vary based on local labor rates, material availability, and regional market conditions. Pacific Northwest pricing tends to run 10-15% above national averages due to higher labor costs and moisture-related prep work.

3-Tab Shingles vs. Architectural: What’s the Real Difference?

This is the question I get asked more than any other on roofing jobs. Homeowners see the price gap and wonder if architectural shingles are worth the extra money.

Short answer: yes, almost every time.

3-Tab Shingles

The budget option. Flat, single-layer shingles with a uniform look. They’ve been the standard for decades, but they’re losing market share fast.

• Material cost: $70 - $200 per square
• Typical lifespan: 15 - 20 years
• Wind rating: Up to 60 mph (most products)
• Warranty: 20 - 25 years limited
• Best for: Rental properties, tight budgets, or homes you plan to sell soon

The big knock on 3-tabs isn’t the look. It’s durability. In areas with high winds, heavy rain, or frequent freeze-thaw cycles, 3-tabs fail faster. I’ve replaced 3-tab roofs in the PNW that barely lasted 12 years because the moisture just chews through them.

Architectural (Dimensional) Shingles

The current industry standard. Multi-layered construction creates a thicker, more textured profile that holds up significantly better.

• Material cost: $100 - $250 per square
• Typical lifespan: 25 - 30 years
• Wind rating: Up to 110-130 mph (varies by product)
• Warranty: 30 - 50 years limited (some lifetime)
• Best for: Primary residences, long-term ownership, any area with weather exposure

The price difference between 3-tab and architectural is typically $30 to $50 per square in materials. On a 20-square roof, that’s $600 to $1,000 more total. For an extra decade of roof life and significantly better wind resistance, that’s one of the best investments in any roofing project.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), architectural shingles now account for over 75% of new residential roofing installations nationwide.

What Drives Asphalt Shingle Costs Up or Down?

Material cost per square is just one line on your estimate. Here’s what else moves the total number.

Roof Size and Complexity

A simple gable roof with two flat planes is straightforward. Add hips, valleys, dormers, and skylights, and your labor and waste factor both jump.

• Simple roof (gable): Waste factor 5-10%
• Complex roof (multiple hips/valleys): Waste factor 12-18%
• Highly cut-up roof (dormers, skylights, penetrations): Waste factor 15-20%

Always order materials with the right overage built in. Running short on shingles mid-job costs you a trip, a delay, and potentially a color-match headache if the supplier pulled from a different lot.

Tear-Off vs. Overlay

Most building codes allow a maximum of two layers of shingles. If you’re already at one layer, you might be able to overlay. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Approach	Added Cost per Square	When It Makes Sense
Overlay (no tear-off)	$0 - $25	Single existing layer in good condition, deck is solid
Single-layer tear-off	$100 - $175	Standard re-roof, one layer to remove
Multi-layer tear-off	$150 - $275	Two layers, heavier disposal fees

I almost always recommend a full tear-off. You can’t inspect the decking through old shingles, and hidden rot or damaged plywood underneath will cause problems down the line. The PNW is especially bad for this. Moisture gets trapped between layers and accelerates deck deterioration.

Underlayment and Ice/Water Shield

Don’t skip this. Underlayment is your second line of defense if a shingle fails or wind-driven rain gets underneath.

• Synthetic underlayment: $0.15 - $0.25 per sq ft
• Ice and water shield (valleys, eaves, penetrations): $0.50 - $1.00 per sq ft
• Full ice/water shield (cold climates): $1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft

Building code in most areas requires ice and water shield at eaves and valleys. In the Pacific Northwest and northern states, it’s required at least 24 inches past the interior wall line. This isn’t optional, and it adds $300 to $800 to most projects.

Labor Costs

Roofing labor runs $150 to $500 per square depending on complexity, location, and whether tear-off is included.

• Basic install (new construction, no tear-off): $150 - $250/square
• Tear-off + install (standard re-roof): $250 - $400/square
• Complex roof (steep pitch, difficult access): $350 - $500/square

For a deeper breakdown, see our guide on roofing labor cost per square.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment data for roofers (SOC 47-2181), HomeAdvisor 2025

Worked Example #1: Standard Ranch Home

Here’s a real-world estimate for a typical single-story ranch with a gable roof.

Project specs:

• Roof area: 1,800 sq ft (18 squares)
• Roof pitch: 4/12 (walkable)
• Single layer tear-off
• Architectural shingles (mid-grade, GAF Timberline HDZ)
• Standard synthetic underlayment + ice/water at eaves and valleys

Line Item	Cost
Architectural shingles (18 sq + 10% waste = 20 sq x $150)	$3,000
Underlayment, synthetic (1,800 sq ft x $0.20)	$360
Ice and water shield (eaves + valleys, ~400 sq ft x $0.75)	$300
Ridge cap, drip edge, flashing	$350
Tear-off labor + disposal (18 sq x $125)	$2,250
Installation labor (18 sq x $200)	$3,600
Permits and dumpster	$450
Total	$10,310

That works out to about $5.73 per square foot installed - right in the middle of the architectural shingle range.

Worked Example #2: Two-Story Colonial with Complex Roof

Same shingle grade, bigger and more complicated roof.

Project specs:

• Roof area: 3,200 sq ft (32 squares)
• Roof pitch: 7/12 (steeper, requires toe boards)
• Two-layer tear-off
• Architectural shingles (mid-grade)
• Full ice/water at eaves, valleys, and around dormers

Line Item	Cost
Architectural shingles (32 sq + 15% waste = 37 sq x $150)	$5,550
Underlayment, synthetic (3,200 sq ft x $0.20)	$640
Ice and water shield (~800 sq ft x $0.75)	$600
Ridge cap, drip edge, flashing, step flashing at dormers	$650
Two-layer tear-off + disposal (32 sq x $175)	$5,600
Installation labor (32 sq x $275, steep pitch premium)	$8,800
Permits and dumpster (larger job, bigger container)	$650
Total	$22,490

That’s about $7.03 per square foot installed. The complexity, steeper pitch, and double tear-off push it well above the simple ranch. This is why “how much does a roof cost?” never has a one-number answer.

How to Spot Lowball Shingle Bids

If you’re a homeowner comparing bids, watch for these red flags. If you’re a contractor, understanding these tactics helps you explain why your honest bid is higher.

1. No line items. A single lump-sum number with no breakdown means the contractor is either hiding something or doesn’t know their own costs. Either way, walk.

2. Missing tear-off. Some bids quote an overlay when the roof needs a tear-off. That’s not a savings. It’s a shortcut that voids most manufacturer warranties and hides deck problems.

3. No underlayment or ice shield in the bid. If these aren’t line items, ask. They’re required by code in most areas, and some contractors skip them to hit a lower number.

4. “Starter shingles” and ridge caps not mentioned. These are separate products from field shingles. A bid that only lists squares of shingles is incomplete.

5. No waste factor. Any bid calculated at exactly the roof’s square footage without overage is either wrong or planning to short the job. A 10-15% waste factor on a standard roof is normal and necessary.

Good, fast, or cheap - pick two. That’s how it works in roofing just like every other trade.

Pro Tips for Getting the Best Value

• Buy shingles during off-season (late fall/winter). Demand drops and some suppliers offer better pricing. Material costs can swing 5-10% seasonally.
• Bundle tear-off with install. Splitting these into separate jobs doubles your setup and crew mobilization costs.
• Don’t upgrade the shingle and cheap out on labor. Premium shingles installed incorrectly fail just as fast as budget shingles. The installation quality matters more than the price point of the material.
• Check manufacturer installation requirements. GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning all have specific nailing patterns, overhang requirements, and exposure specifications. Deviating from these voids the warranty. For the full material list and specs, see our roofing material list guide.
• Get the extended warranty. Most manufacturers offer enhanced warranties when a certified contractor does the install. The GAF Golden Pledge or CertainTeed SureStart Plus add real coverage for a modest upcharge.

FAQ

How many shingles do I need per square?

One roofing “square” covers 100 square feet of roof area. A standard bundle of 3-tab shingles covers roughly 33 sq ft, so you need 3 bundles per square. Architectural shingles vary - some require 4 bundles per square depending on the product. Always check the manufacturer’s coverage rate on the wrapper. Use our Roofing Calculator to get an exact count for your roof.

Are architectural shingles worth the extra cost over 3-tab?

For most homeowners, absolutely. The $600 to $1,000 material premium on a typical roof buys you 10+ extra years of life, significantly better wind resistance, and a more attractive profile that improves curb appeal. The only scenario where 3-tab makes sense is if you’re on a very tight budget, roofing a rental, or selling the home within a year or two.

How long do asphalt shingles last?

3-tab shingles typically last 15 to 20 years in moderate climates. Architectural shingles last 25 to 30 years with proper installation and ventilation. Premium designer shingles can reach 40+ years. Climate matters, though. Hot climates with intense UV shorten lifespan. Cold climates with frequent freeze-thaw cycles stress the material. The Pacific Northwest’s constant moisture is particularly hard on lower-grade products.

Can I install asphalt shingles over existing shingles?

Building code generally allows up to two layers of asphalt shingles. However, overlaying only saves $1,000 to $2,000 on most jobs and comes with real downsides: you can’t inspect the deck, it adds weight to the structure, and many manufacturers won’t honor full warranty coverage on overlay installations. Based on field experience, I recommend tear-off on nearly every re-roof project.

What’s the best time of year to replace a roof?

Late spring through early fall gives you the best installation conditions. Asphalt shingles need temperatures above 40-45 degrees F to seal properly - the adhesive strips require heat activation. In the PNW, the dry window between June and September is ideal. Scheduling in late fall or winter can save you money on labor since roofers are less booked, but weather delays become a real risk.

Bottom Line

Asphalt shingles remain the best value in residential roofing. Material costs range from $70 to $250 per square depending on the type, and fully installed projects run $3 to $7 per square foot for most homes. The biggest decision is choosing between 3-tab and architectural - and for most primary residences, architectural shingles pay for themselves with better longevity and warranty coverage.

Whether you’re a contractor building a bid or a homeowner evaluating quotes, knowing these numbers puts you in a stronger position. Compare line items, not just bottom-line totals. Make sure tear-off, underlayment, and all accessories are accounted for. And remember - the cheapest bid usually means something got left out.

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