Drip edge
Starter shingles and metal drip edge finish the eaves and rakes so water drips clear of the fascia.
Shingle Roofing
Shingle Roof Installation Dover, NJ
A new shingle roof in Dover is a system of layers, and each one has to go on in the right order for the shingles to do their job, so the roof is sealed against wind-driven rain from the start. Dial (862) 430-1002 to talk with a local roofer about a new shingle roof.
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. Then come the flashing details and the ventilation, which decide whether the roof stays dry and how long the shingles last.
The first decision is the shingle itself. Flat 3-tab shingles are a single layer with cutouts, while architectural, or dimensional, shingles are laminated from two layers for more thickness, depth and wind resistance. 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.
Shingles are made for sloped roofs. The usual minimum for shingles is a 2 in 12 pitch, with a double layer of underlayment on slopes up to 4 in 12. Porches and low additions often need a different material where they tie into the main roof.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Dover roofer may also recommend shingle roof replacement or roof installation.
Dealing with this in Dover, NJ right now? Call (862) 430-1002 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
Building a shingle roof layer by layer
Here is the order a roofer follows on a new shingle roof.
Check the sheathing
The roof deck, usually plywood or OSB, is checked for soft spots, gaps and protruding nails before anything covers it. Shingles laid on a bad deck show every flaw.
Seal the edges
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.
Set the first course
The starter row seals the bottom edge and rakes of the roof. Skipping it is a common cause of edge blow-offs.
Nail the courses
Shingles go on in offset courses with nails in the marked nailing strip, and step flashing is woven in with each course along walls. 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. Too little intake makes a ridge vent pull air the wrong way.
What is included
Layers of a shingle roof system
Deck underlayment
Underlayment rows are lapped from the eaves up so wind-driven rain has a backup.
Ice barrier
Self-adhering membrane is applied at the eaves and in valleys where ice dams and runoff hit hardest.
Shingle selection
The roofer helps compare shingle types before materials are ordered.
Flashing details
New flashing and balanced ventilation finish the system to keep the attic and roof in balance.
Related service
Architectural Shingle Installation Dover, NJ
Architectural shingles go on over the same deck, underlayment and starter as any shingle, with their own nailing pattern. The double thickness only holds if the nails catch both layers, so placement is checked as the roof goes on. The ridge and hips get thicker cap shingles made for the line, not cut 3-tab pieces.
Most new shingle roofs in Dover are architectural, and for good reason. Their weight and laminated build give them higher wind ratings and a longer life. A sample board viewed outside, next to the siding, is the best way to choose a color.
Related service
Asphalt Shingle Roof Installation Dover, NJ
Asphalt shingle roof installation is standard work, but the quality varies a lot from one crew to the next. Problems on new roofs usually trace to high nails, skipped starter or reused flashing. Ask what layers will go down before the shingles and how the valleys will be done.
Most asphalt shingle installs in Dover wrap up quickly once materials are on site. Cold weather slows the factory sealant, so shingles laid in winter may need hand sealing. 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 Dover go on everything from new houses and additions to reroofs of older homes. Across Dover and nearby communities including Wharton, Rockaway, Mount Arlington and Morris Plains, architectural shingles have replaced 3-tab as the usual pick on new installations, which is why the system under the shingles deserves as much attention as the color. If you are searching for a shingle roof installer near me, ask what goes under the shingles, not just which shingle goes on top.
For shingle roof installation in Dover, NJ or nearby towns like Wharton, Rockaway, Mount Arlington and Morris Plains, call (862) 430-1002 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Dover, 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 Dover
Roofers in Dover know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Shingle Roof Installation FAQ
How steep does a roof need to be for shingles?
The usual minimum for shingles is a pitch of 2 in 12. Roofs that are low but still within range get added underlayment protection. Flatter sections are roofed with a membrane instead.
What goes under the shingles on a new roof?
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. The shingle instructions and local code set the minimum.
What is the difference between 3-tab and architectural shingles?
A 3-tab shingle is thin and uniform, and an architectural shingle is thicker, heavier and layered. For most homes architectural shingles are the better value over the life of the roof. 3-tab still works for sheds, garages or matching an existing roof.
What is the best season for a shingle roof installation?
Mild, dry weather is the easiest time to install shingles. Winter installs are possible, but the shingles need gentle handling and the sealant may not bond until warmer days. Rain and snow are the real limits, since a wet deck should never be covered.
Why does nail placement matter on a shingle roof?
Shingles stay on because of correct nailing as much as sealant. Four nails per shingle is common, with six where the shingle instructions or local code call for high-wind nailing. Each nail has to sit in the nailing zone, flush with the surface, not too high and not driven through.
More questions? Call (862) 430-1002
Related services
Shingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn moreRoof Installation
Putting on a new roof the way the material maker intends, with ventilation and flashing planned in from the start.
Learn moreRoof Ventilation
Roof ventilation work that keeps the attic dry in winter and cooler in summer, 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, with the fascia checked before anything is hung.
Learn more
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