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Roofing Glossary
materials

Shingle

The individual roofing unit that covers the roof surface and sheds water.

Definition

A shingle is an individual roofing unit — typically an asphalt or composite panel — that covers the roof surface in overlapping rows to shed water. Modern asphalt shingles come in several types: 3-tab (basic, flat profile, usually 25-year warranty), architectural or dimensional (thicker, layered, 30-50 year warranty), and premium/designer (heaviest, textured profiles, 50-year+ warranty). Shingles are packaged in bundles (typically 3 bundles per roofing square) and installed in overlapping courses starting from the eave.

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