Asphalt shingle roofing

What this covers

Asphalt shingles are the standard residential roof: a fiberglass mat coated in asphalt and mineral granules, laid in overlapping courses. The roofer checks and replaces soft decking, installs drip edge, ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys, and synthetic underlayment over the rest, then lays starter strip, shingles nailed in the manufacturer's pattern, step flashing at every wall, new pipe boots, and a ridge cap over a ridge vent. Architectural shingles are thicker and laminated for a dimensional look; three-tab shingles are flat and lighter. Careful work shows in straight courses, correct nail placement and flashing that is replaced rather than reused.

When to call

• A roof past twenty years with curling, cracked or bald shingles.
• Granules collecting in the gutters and at the downspout outlets.
• Storm damage across enough of the roof that patching no longer makes sense.
• A new addition or garage that needs a roof to match the house.

What to expect

1. Inspect and quoteThe roofer measures the roof, checks the deck and flashing, and proposes shingle, underlayment and vent options.
2. Tear offOld shingles come off into a covered container and the deck is checked and repaired.
3. Dry inDrip edge, ice barrier and underlayment go down so the house is protected before shingles start.
4. Shingle and flashStarter, shingles, step flashing, boots and ridge cap are installed in order.
5. Clean upNails are swept with a magnet, gutters cleared, and you walk the property with the roofer.