The life span of a roof is determined by the type of shingles and weather. In most cases, homeowners consider durability prior to selection of a roofing material. When it comes to architectural shingles vs 3 tab shingles, architectural choices are typically 25-30 years in life, whereas 3 tab are typically 15-20 years. This renders architectural shingles a superior long run investment on homes in regions where rain, wind or snow is excessive.