# Choosing asphalt shingles beyond the color sample How to compare shingle styles, impact ratings, system components, appearance and warranty terms for a Kansas City home. Publisher: Tessera Construction Updated: 2026-09-29 Canonical: https://tesserakc.com/resources/asphalt-shingle-options/ Choosing shingles begins with how the roof will look, but it should not end there. Two products that appear similar in a brochure may differ in their construction, test ratings, required components and warranty terms. A complete comparison names the product and the assembly around it. For a Kansas City project, ask the contractor to explain the options that suit your roof’s actual slope and details. The best choice is not necessarily the most expensive sample. It is the product that fits the building, the intended appearance, the installation requirements and your priorities. ## Begin with the shape of the house Roofing occupies a large part of the view on some homes and very little on others. Look at the roof from the street, driveway and other everyday viewpoints. A heavily textured shingle can read differently on a steep, prominent roof than on a low roof mostly hidden behind a porch. Bring photographs of the fixed exterior materials into the selection process: brick, stone, siding, windows and trim. A sample selected in isolation can emphasize a color in the masonry that you did not intend to highlight. If other exterior changes are planned, decide which material will anchor the palette. ## Compare product names, not broad labels Terms such as architectural, dimensional or premium describe categories or positioning, not a complete specification. Ask for the manufacturer, exact product line, color and supporting documentation. That makes it possible to compare two proposals without assuming similar sales descriptions mean identical materials. Confirm that the proposed shingle is suitable for each roof area. A porch or transition may need a different system because of its slope or drainage. One color selection for the house does not mean one roofing material belongs on every surface. ## Treat impact resistance as a measured characteristic A shingle can carry an impact classification without making the roof hail-proof. Tests use defined methods, and different methods reveal different aspects of performance. IBHS publishes comparative ratings intended to help consumers distinguish products that are marketed as impact resistant. Ask which test or rating supports the proposed claim and whether it applies to the exact product being quoted. Review current information because product lines and ratings can change. If an insurance discount is part of the discussion, confirm eligibility and paperwork directly with the insurer before assigning it financial value. ## Look at wind performance in the context of installation A headline wind figure is not a substitute for correct installation of the assembly. Ask about the manufacturer’s fastening instructions, starter and ridge products, roof-edge details and any conditions attached to advertised coverage. Request the applicable documents with the proposal. Avoid comparing roofs solely by the biggest number printed on a brochure. The meaningful question is whether the proposed system is appropriate for your house and will be installed to its instructions and applicable requirements. Ask who will verify those details during the work. ## Include the components you will not see Underlayment, leak-barrier locations, flashing, valleys, penetrations and ventilation decisions belong in the scope. A product upgrade at the surface does not resolve an omitted or deteriorated transition beneath it. Ask what will be replaced, what may be reused and how the condition of reused parts will be evaluated. Decking is another separate issue. The proposal should explain how concealed damage is documented and priced if discovered after tear-off. A clear process is more useful than assuming the lowest initial number includes every possible repair. ## Review samples in ordinary daylight Screens and small printed swatches are useful for narrowing choices, but they are imperfect tools for the final decision. Request a physical sample and view it outside near the existing exterior materials. Step back far enough to judge the overall blend instead of one individual granule color. Ask whether a larger display or nearby installed example is available to view without entering private property. Consider both sun and shade when possible. Record the final product and color in writing so an informal selection conversation cannot be confused with the approved order. ## Keep the selection meeting to a short comparison sheet Once you have narrowed the choice, put two or three exact products on one page. For each, record the appearance you prefer, relevant performance information, required components, installed price difference and warranty document. Leave a blank if an answer has not been supplied. Then separate requirements from preferences. Suitability for the roof and compliance with installation instructions are requirements. A particular color blend or heavier visual texture may be a preference. This prevents a sales description from making an optional finish sound like the only technically acceptable choice. Before signing, compare that sheet with the contract. The product name, color and components should agree. If a substitution becomes necessary because of availability, review the replacement against the same criteria and approve the change in writing rather than relying on the phrase “equivalent shingle.” ## Separate product coverage from workmanship Request the standard manufacturer warranty and any additional coverage being proposed. Ask who provides each warranty, what qualifies, how registration works and what happens if the home changes ownership. Do not assume every contractor can offer every manufacturer program. A useful selection meeting should leave you able to explain why one product suits your home. You should know the appearance, the relevant performance information, the complete scope and the limits of the warranty. If those items remain vague, the decision is not ready simply because the color looks right. ## Questions about this topic ### Are all architectural shingles impact resistant? No. Ask for the exact product and its current documented impact classification or comparative rating. A style description alone does not establish performance. ### Should I choose the roof color before siding? Coordinate them together. If one material is staying, use it as a fixed reference so the new roof works with the existing exterior. ## Sources - [IBHS: Impact-resistant shingle performance ratings](https://ibhs.org/hail/shingle-performance-ratings/) - [IBHS: Relative hail impact resistance of asphalt shingles](https://ibhs.org/hail/relative-impact-resistance-of-asphalt-shingles/) - [IBHS: Roof 101](https://ibhs.org/roof-101/) - [Owens Corning: Roofing warranties](https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/warranty) ## Related reading - [metal vs asphalt roofing](https://tesserakc.com/resources/metal-vs-asphalt-roofing/) - [hail damage roof](https://tesserakc.com/resources/hail-damage-roof/) - [compare roofing estimates](https://tesserakc.com/resources/compare-roofing-estimates/) Contact Tessera: (816) 971-2061 · hello@tesserakc.com. Kansas City metro, Missouri and Kansas. Confirm availability for your address.