I Like To Exterior Services

What fails on a house, why it fails, and what it should cost

Home/Roofing/Three-tab shingles curling

Roofing · Homes built roughly 1940 to 1980

Three-tab shingles curling at the edges

Curling and cupping means the shingle has lost its oils and no longer seals. Once curling is general rather than local, patching is spending money on a roof that is finished.

Quick answerThree-tab was standard through this era and rated around twenty years. Curling and cupping means the mat has lost its oils and the shingle no longer seals. If it’s a few shingles in one spot, it may be a local problem worth repairing. Once curling is general rather than local, patching is spending money on a roof that is finished. Plan the replacement.

This is most common in homes built roughly 1940 to 1980. Three-tab shingles are flat, single-layer shingles with cutouts that make each strip look like three tabs. As they age, the edges curl up or the centers cup down.

1Why shingles curl

  • Age. Over time the asphalt dries out and the shingle loses flexibility.
  • Heat from below. A poorly ventilated attic bakes the shingles from underneath and speeds up aging.
  • Sun exposure. South and west slopes usually curl first.
  • Install issues. Poor nailing or shingles laid over an uneven surface can curl early in patches.

2How to check

  1. Look at every slopeFrom the ground with binoculars, look for raised edges or cupped centers. Note whether it’s one area or the whole roof.
  2. Check for missing tabsCurled shingles catch wind. Missing tabs after a storm mean the shingles no longer seal.
  3. Look in the guttersHeavy granule loss along with curling points to the end of the shingle’s life.
  4. Check the atticA very hot attic or missing soffit intake may explain why curling came early.

3Repair or replace?

Repair may be enough

  • Curling is limited to one small area
  • The rest of the roof lies flat and sealed
  • The cause is local, like a nailing problem

Plan a replacement

  • Curling or cupping on most slopes
  • Tabs lifting or blowing off in wind
  • Heavy granule loss and bare spots
  • Leaks in more than one place

When you replace, fix the ventilation at the same time, so the new roof doesn’t age the same way.

Stay off it

Curled, brittle shingles crack and slide underfoot. Inspect from the ground.

4What drives the cost

A replacement is priced by roof size and pitch, the number of layers to tear off, deck repairs, flashing and ventilation, and the shingle you choose. Spot repairs on a roof with general curling rarely last, because the shingles around them are just as old.

Roofing cost

Curling across the whole roof?

Talk to a roofing contractor about a replacement that includes ventilation and new flashing.

877-360-4657

5Questions

Can curled shingles be glued down?

A few local ones, maybe. When curling is general, the shingle has lost its oils and won’t stay sealed. That’s a finished roof.

How long do three-tab shingles last?

They were typically rated around twenty years. Ventilation, sun exposure and install quality all shift that.

Should I replace with three-tab again?

Ask your contractor what’s available and suited to your area. Compare warranty terms in writing.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.

877-360-4657