Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation: Process & Getting Started
Are you in the market for a new asphalt shingle roof, but want to learn more about the installation process? In this blog, we’re going to review everything you need to know to get started with an asphalt roof installation, including the benefits, timeline, and actual installation process.
At Rick Kazigian Home Improvements, we provide our clients with access to our team’s 45+ years of roofing knowledge for homes in Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester County, Pennsylvania. We also offer a variety of exterior home services in addition to roofing, including siding installation, windows, and doors.
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
Before getting started with an installation, let’s review what asphalt shingles are, and why they are a good product to protect your home’s most valuable asset. Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material that is applied to your roof.
Together, these materials create an extremely durable, popular, and industry proven product that will protect your home’s roof from the elements for years to come. They also are cost-effective and highly reparable after intense wind, hail, or snow.
Asphalt Shingle Materials
Asphalt shingles are a type of roofing material that’s base is made out of an incredibly durable fiberglass. Placed atop the mat is a mix of waterproof asphalt that provides water and weather protection.
To seal in the asphalt, mineral granules are applied on top. These are often made from a mix of crushed stone, quartz, or limestone. Their function is to block Ultraviolet Rays from the sun while adding color and fire-retardance.
Asphalt shingles also have a sealant strip on the back or front of the mat that helps melt the shingles together for added water protection.
How to Know When You Need a Roof Replacement
One of the biggest indicators that a roof may need replacement is age. Most asphalt shingle roofs last between 20 and 25 years, depending on materials, installation quality, and exposure to weather.
Sometimes after extreme weather, you may need a roof replacement if there is extensive damage. Harsh Pennsylvania winters and springs bring hail, ice damming, wind, and snow that can reduce the lifespan of your roof.
If your roof is approaching or past its expected lifespan, replacement is often a safer option than repeated repairs. If you notice missing shingles, lots of granules in your gutters, or any water damage on your ceiling, we recommend contacting a trusted roofing contractor as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of internal damage.
The Process of Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation
We recommend and install asphalt shingles for their durability, repairability, cost-effectiveness, and color variety. If you think that this product will be a good fit for your home, we will now explore the process of asphalt shingle roof installation.
Roof Removal
Before the new roof can be installed, the old product must be removed. Often referred to as a “tear-off”, our team will strip the old material from your roof and inspect any problem areas that may be damaged or weak. A tear-off will remove all products from your roof down to the wooden deck.
We make sure to protect the rest of your home from the waste by covering bushes or cars, and having a disposal service on site, like a roll-off dumpster to discard the old material. This process is sometimes done section by section, or all at once depending on the complexity of your roof.
During this part of the process, our team will make sure that any issues with the wooden deck are repaired and evaluated before continuing with the underlayment and insulation.
Wrapping and Underlayment
After the team completes the roof removal and an evaluation of the wooden deck, we begin to protect your roof with a base layer. This base layer is called an underlayment that will be applied before the shingles.
We will also install waterproof wrapping to protect the wooden deck, and other preventative measures like flashing or vents that allow air circulation where needed, and seal up gaps between vulnerable areas like chimneys or skylights where water could seep in.
Asphalt Shingle Installation
The third step in the process is the actual asphalt shingle installation, where our team prepares and applies the shingles. The shingles are applied in a precise, overlapping method to lock down the materials.
Our team starts with the borders first, installing a starter shingle along eaves that will help hold down the rest of the shingles with its placement. The rest of the asphalt shingles are then nailed down in place. With the nails, adhesive, and underlayment applied, our customers can now enjoy a high-functioning roof that will keep out water damage for 20 - 25 years.
Waste Removal
The final step our team will take is removing any product waste from the roof and property. Many roofing companies work in tandem with a roll-off dumpster to allow for easy and effective disposal.
A roll-off dumpster sits in the driveway and can take all excess roofing materials, old supplies, and any fallen nails or materials so our customers have a clean slate post-project. The dumpster is then hauled away with a truck and taken for disposal.
Getting Started with Rick Kazigian Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation
Now that you understand the complete installation process, and know more about when you may need a replacement, we’re looking at the timeline and process of working with a home improvement company. We offer asphalt shingle roof installation in Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Contacting an Asphalt Shingle Roofing Contractor
The first step towards getting your new asphalt shingle roof is contacting a roofing contractor. Contact us directly at 610-353-7349 or visit our page to fill out a contact form and our team will be in touch soon.
Asphalt Shingle Roof Estimation
Once you get in touch with our team, our project management team will set up an appointment for a roof estimate. A roof estimate consists of a visit from our team where we talk through your known roof issues and concerns, talk through product choice, and project scale.
After the visit, our team will provide a project scale and estimate of product and labor costs. Once you are ready, our team moves forward with the next step.
Project Timeline and Permitting
Now the preparation for the actual installation begins. Our team is busy ordering the products, organizing installation dates, and securing any needed permits for the renovation. Depending on product and team availability, this process can take a variable amount of time, but we keep our clients updated and informed in real time.
Roof Installation
The final step in the process is the labor, which consists of tear-off, underlayment, asphalt shingle installation, and waste removal. Depending on the complexity of the roof, asphalt shingle roof installation generally takes between 1 - 5 days.
As a homeowner, you can expect workers, construction noises, and roofing materials on your property as our team works on the asphalt shingle roof installation. We work quickly and efficiently to deliver high quality roofing services with minimal disruption to your day.
After the project is finished, our team takes care of all the waste removal, making sure there is no left behind products, metal, or other materials.
Contact Rick Kazigian Home Improvements for Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation
Ready to move forward with an asphalt roof installation? Get in touch with our team by calling us at 610-353-7349 or filling out our contact form to begin the process, and we will schedule time to come out and begin the estimate.