Warranty policies on these two separate shingle types can vary greatly. Just like the construction approach and installation processes are unique to these two types of shingle options, homeowners can expect to see different warranty lengths and coverage terms depending on the type of roof they have installed on their property. For one thing, architectural shingles last longer and so therefore the warranty that comes with these roof installations will extend beyond that of a 3-tab shingle roof. This offers a high-quality level of protection for a homeowner looking to get the most out of their home. A longer warranty is always a beneficial thing, especially in locations that see dramatic changes in weather and a distinct level of uncertainty. Unfortunately, the world is a changing place and wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, hurricane season along the Atlantic and gulf coasts, and blizzard, wind, and tornado conditions that persist throughout middle America and the north can place a home and its roof in jeopardy throughout the year (via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Therefore, a longer warranty is often a beneficial addition to any type of product that will see intimate exposure to the elements.
Architectural shingles have a clear edge in this regard, and so the added expense may be worth it to some homeowners who want to incorporate this additional level of protection. In fact, Roofing Above All notes that some architectural shingles may come with a lifetime warranty meaning that environmental damage can be completely stress-free for the homeowner.
There is a caveat here that should be mentioned, however. Warranty coverage is typically incorporated in products like roofing installations to protect the homeowner against faulty installation or poor-quality building material that may have slipped through the quality control process. As a result, these issues are likely to be felt early on in the life of your new roof. Therefore, warranty coverage in this regard may only really need to extend for a few months or perhaps a year or two at the most. After this point, there is virtually no risk of a fault occurring because of poor installation processes or structural failures within the building materials themselves. This means that a short warranty may be more beneficial than paying for a standalone or built-in coverage policy with an extended timeline that might not be very useful beyond the early stages following an installation.