Drip edge
Drip edge and a sealed starter row protect the roof edges which keeps wind from peeling up the first course.
Shingle Roofing
Shingle Roof Installation Springfield, NJ
A roofer in Springfield can install a new shingle roof from the deck up: drip edge, ice and water shield, underlayment, starter strip, shingles, flashing and ridge vent, with nailing and flashing done to the shingle instructions. Call (908) 562-6898 to reach a local roofer.
What you see from the street is maybe half of a shingle roof. Below the shingles go metal drip edge, a self-adhering ice barrier at the eaves and valleys, a layer of underlayment and a starter row at the edges. Flashing at every wall, chimney, valley and pipe, plus intake and exhaust ventilation, finishes the system.
Shingle choice sets the look, the wind rating and the life of the roof. Most new roofs use architectural shingles, which are heavier and longer lasting than the older flat 3-tab style. Impact-resistant shingles rated Class 4 under the UL 2218 test are an option where hail is common, and some insurers treat them differently, so ask yours.
Pitch matters before anything is ordered. The usual minimum for shingles is a 2 in 12 pitch, with a double layer of underlayment on slopes up to 4 in 12. Flat sections are flagged during the estimate so the right material goes on each part.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Springfield roofer may also recommend shingle roof replacement or roof installation.
Dealing with this in Springfield, NJ right now? Call (908) 562-6898 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Springfield.
Call nowThe process
Building a shingle roof layer by layer
Here is the order a roofer follows on a new shingle roof.
Prepare the deck
The roof deck, usually plywood or OSB, is checked for soft spots, gaps and protruding nails before anything covers it. A wet deck is never covered.
Ice barrier first
Drip edge goes along the eaves, then ice and water shield runs up from the eave edge and down every valley. In cold climates the ice barrier extends past the inside of the exterior wall.
Underlayment rows
Synthetic underlayment or felt is rolled out in overlapping rows from the bottom up, then drip edge goes on along the rakes over it. Most roofers now use synthetic, which resists tearing and lies flatter than felt.
Starter strip
A starter strip with factory sealant runs along the eaves and rakes so the first course and the edges are glued down. That is where wind damage usually begins on a poorly built roof.
Shingle the field
Each course is nailed in the nailing zone, never high or overdriven, and step flashing goes in piece by piece at every sidewall. Valleys are finished open with metal or closed-cut, depending on the shingle and the roof.
Ridge vent
The ridge gets a continuous vent and cap shingles, and the soffits are checked for open intake. Balanced airflow keeps the attic cooler and drier and helps the shingles last.
What is included
Layers of a shingle roof system
Ice barrier
The lowest edge of the roof gets a sealed membrane beneath the underlayment and shingles.
Ridge ventilation
Every wall, chimney and pipe gets new flashing, and a ridge vent caps the peak which is where most leaks would otherwise start.
Deck underlayment
The whole deck is covered with lapped underlayment before any shingle goes down.
Choosing a shingle
3-tab, architectural or impact-resistant shingles are matched to the house before materials are ordered.
Related service
Architectural Shingle Installation Springfield, NJ
Installing architectural shingles uses the same layers underneath, with a few details specific to laminated shingles. The double thickness only holds if the nails catch both layers, so placement is checked as the roof goes on. Compatible starter and cap products finish the edges and ridge cleanly.
For Springfield homeowners, architectural shingle installation has become the default for new roofs. Their weight and laminated build give them higher wind ratings and a longer life. Look at a few colors on a nearby roof in daylight before deciding.
Related service
Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation Springfield, NJ
Asphalt shingle roof installation is standard work, but the quality varies a lot from one crew to the next. The shingles rarely fail first; the edges, nails and flashing do. Ask what layers will go down before the shingles and how the valleys will be done.
Most asphalt shingle installs in Springfield wrap up quickly once materials are on site. In cool months the sealant strips take longer to bond, and the edges get extra attention. Plan around a dry stretch, since the deck should never be covered while wet.
Local help
Shingle Roof Installation Near Me
New shingle roofs in Springfield go on everything from new houses and additions to reroofs of older homes. Across Springfield and nearby communities including Vauxhall, Kenilworth, Union and Short Hills, architectural shingles have replaced 3-tab as the usual pick on new installations, so it pays to talk through wind ratings and impact resistance before choosing. Looking for a shingle roofer near me? Ask about the full system, from drip edge to ridge.
For shingle roof installation in Springfield, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, Kenilworth, Union and Short Hills, call (908) 562-6898 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Springfield, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Springfield
Roofers in Springfield know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Shingle Roof Installation FAQ
What kind of underlayment should go under shingles?
Under the shingles sit drip edge, a self-adhering ice barrier in the leak-prone areas, a full layer of underlayment and starter shingles. Synthetic underlayment has largely replaced felt because it is lighter, stronger and less likely to wrinkle or tear. Check that the shingle instructions and local code are both followed.
Which is better, 3-tab or architectural shingles?
3-tab shingles are a single flat layer with cutouts, while architectural shingles are two laminated layers. Architectural shingles generally have higher wind ratings, last longer and have a textured look, which is why most new roofs use them. 3-tab still works for sheds, garages or matching an existing roof.
How many nails should each shingle have?
Shingles stay on because of correct nailing as much as sealant. Standard nailing uses four nails, and high-wind areas often require six. High or overdriven nails are a leading cause of blow-offs on newer roofs.
Can shingles be installed in cold weather?
Shingles go on best in mild, dry conditions. Cold-weather installs are done regularly, with extra care for brittle shingles and hand sealing where the strips will not activate. Rain and snow are the real limits, since a wet deck should never be covered.
How steep does a roof need to be for shingles?
Asphalt shingles need a slope of at least 2 in 12. Between 2 in 12 and 4 in 12, a double layer of underlayment or a full ice barrier is required to make up for slow runoff. Flatter sections are roofed with a membrane instead.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6898
Often needed together
Shingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, with soft decking fixed before anything new goes on.
Learn moreRoof Installation
Installing a new roof layer by layer, from drip edge and underlayment to flashing, vents and the finished roofing, so it sheds water at every edge and seam.
Learn moreRoof Ventilation
Fixing hot, damp or poorly vented attics with the right mix of intake and exhaust, without mixing vent types that work against each other.
Learn moreGutter Installation
Gutter installation that carries roof water away from the siding, fascia and foundation, so water ends up where it should.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Springfield roofer about shingle roof installation
Call (908) 562-6898 to talk to a roofer serving Springfield, NJ.