Architectural shingles, also known as laminated or three-dimensional shingles, are premium asphalt-based roofing shingles. Since the first commercially successful asphalt shingle was produced in 1953, manufacturers have endeavored to create shingles that could rival the texture and visual interest of wood, tile, and slate roofing.

Given that an asphalt shingle is essentially a flat, asphalt-saturated cellulose or fiberglass mat coated with mineral granules, the job of making it look natural, textured, and three-dimensional has been a challenge for roofing manufacturers.

Three-dimensional, laminated shingles were first introduced in the 1970s. They were built up from two or more layers of material sandwiched together. The surface granules were colored to imitate shadow patterns.

In recent years, refinements of the three-dimensional shingle have resulted in a new generation of high-quality asphalt roofing products with distinctive, often dramatic, appearances. With these advancements came a new name: architectural shingles.

The top overlay of these shingles is often notched, cut in a sawtooth pattern, and/or offset for definition and interest. Because of their extra thickness, these shingles weigh considerably more than conventional asphalt-based shingles and have longer warranties. Weights run up to about 430 pounds per square (100 square feet of roof area). Limited warranties may be 25 years or longer.