Asphalt Shingle Roofs Installed as a Complete System

A modern asphalt shingle is a fiberglass mat saturated and coated with asphalt and topped with ceramic-coated mineral granules. The granules are not decoration: they shield the asphalt from ultraviolet light, add fire resistance and give the shingle its color. As the roof ages, the asphalt loses its oils, becomes brittle and begins shedding granules, which is why you find them in the gutters of an older roof after a hard rain. Charlotte's long, intense summers accelerate this process, especially on south- and west-facing slopes and on roofs with poor attic ventilation.

Three-tab shingles are a single flat layer cut into three tabs per strip, producing the familiar uniform, repeating pattern. They are lighter and thinner than laminated architectural shingles, carry lower wind ratings in general industry terms and tend toward shorter service ranges. They remain a reasonable choice for rental properties, detached garages, budget-conscious replacements and repairs on existing three-tab roofs where matching matters.

Every asphalt roof starts with the deck, usually plywood or oriented strand board nailed to the rafters or trusses, and it must be dry, flat and solidly fastened before anything goes on; soft or delaminated sheets are replaced. Over the deck goes underlayment, the secondary water barrier that protects the home if wind drives rain beneath the shingles or a shingle is lost in a storm. Synthetic underlayment has largely replaced asphalt-saturated felt because it is lighter, tougher, more resistant to tearing in wind and less likely to wrinkle in humidity.

Self-adhering ice and water membrane goes where leaks are most likely: in valleys, around chimneys and skylights, at pipe penetrations, along eaves where gutters can back up and on low-slope sections. The membrane seals around nail shanks, which matters on a roof where afternoon storms arrive sideways. Winter ice damming is less of a concern in Charlotte than in colder regions, but heavy rain and wind-driven water make the membrane worth the effort at those locations.

Wind damage on asphalt roofs almost always begins at an edge. Drip edge metal along eaves and rakes supports the shingle overhang and directs water into the gutter rather than behind the fascia. Starter strip shingles run along the eaves and rakes beneath the first course with their adhesive strip positioned at the edge, so the first row seals down and cannot be lifted. Without a proper starter, the lowest course of shingles has nothing holding its bottom edge, and that is exactly where a summer gust begins peeling.

At the top of the roof, ridge cap shingles cover the ridge and hips and protect the ridge vent beneath them. We use purpose-made ridge caps where the product line calls for them, because ridge caps bear the brunt of wind and sun and are the first shingles to crack on many older roofs. Correct nailing, with the right number of nails placed in the manufacturer's nail zone and driven flush rather than overdriven, is the final piece of wind resistance and is the step most often rushed by crews paid by the square.

An attic without balanced ventilation can reach extreme temperatures on a July afternoon, and that heat radiates into the shingles from below while the sun bakes them from above. The result is premature curling, blistering and granule loss, often concentrated on one slope. Balanced ventilation pairs intake at the soffits with exhaust at the ridge so air moves continuously through the attic, carrying heat and moisture out.

We check soffit vents for paint, insulation or debris blocking them, confirm that ridge vent is continuous and properly cut and remove conflicting vents that short-circuit the flow. On many older homes in the area the soffits were never vented, and adding intake during a reroof is one of the most effective improvements we can make.

The dark streaks that appear on asphalt roofs across the Charlotte area are a blue-green algae that feeds on the limestone filler in shingles and thrives in humid shade. The streaking is cosmetic, but it is persistent and often appears first on north-facing slopes and under tree cover. Many current shingle lines include algae-resistant granules containing copper, which slows the growth considerably; we recommend them for shaded lots.

Spring pollen, oak tassels and leaves build up in valleys and gutters and hold moisture against the shingles, so clearing debris each spring and fall and keeping limbs trimmed back from the roof surface extends the life of any asphalt roof. Pressure washing strips granules and should never be used on shingles.

The decision usually comes down to budget, appearance, expected length of ownership and the rules of your neighborhood. Three-tab shingles are generally the more economical product and produce a flat, traditional look that suits some older ranch homes. Architectural shingles are thicker, carry higher wind ratings in general terms, offer a dimensional appearance and typically come with longer service expectations. Many HOAs in newer subdivisions require architectural shingles, which settles the question. Where a three-tab roof is the right fit, we install it with the same full system of underlayment, membrane, starter, flashing and ventilation, because the shingle is only as good as what supports it.