Houston Asphalt Shingles are clearly the most common type of roofing material used in the United States, mainly because of their relatively low initial cost outlay and ease of installation. Asphalt shingles offer very good waterproofing protection for your home or business and are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and shapes to match the looks of your property. There are two basic kinds of the underlying layer of an asphalt shingle: either fiberglass or less common—organic made from wood fibers and other materials. Asphalt shingles generally are manufactured in two configurations: Three-tab shingles, and architectural or dimensional shingles. The dimensional type is thicker and more durable than three-tab shingles, which are cheaper and weigh less. Dimensional shingles may last 25 to 30 years or more, while three-tab shingles may last 15-20 years.