ServicesAsphalt Shingle Roofing
Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Norwalk
We tear off worn roofing, fix the deck underneath and install asphalt shingles with the underlayment, flashing and ventilation that let them last. Before you pick a product, we show you how three-tab, architectural and cool-rated shingles differ on your home.
What a Shingle Roof Is Really Made Of
An asphalt shingle is a fiberglass mat soaked in asphalt and coated with mineral granules. The granules carry most of the load. They block the sunlight that would otherwise bake the asphalt brittle, so once they wash off, a shingle ages fast.
The shingle is only the top layer. Under it sit the roof deck, an underlayment, a starter strip at the eaves, drip edge, step and counter flashing at walls and chimneys, and pipe boots at every vent. Most shingle roofs we see fail at those details first, not in the open field of the roof.
Asphalt is the right call for many Norwalk homes because it is lighter than tile, works on the moderate pitches common on post-war ranch houses and costs less to install. If you are weighing it against a heavier material, our Tile Roofing page covers that side of the choice.
What Your New Shingle Roof Includes
Full tear-off to the deck
We remove the old roofing down to the sheathing. Covering an old layer hides soft wood and adds weight, so we price a tear-off as the standard approach.
Deck repair and re-sheathing
Rotted or delaminated plywood gets cut out and replaced. Homes that once had wood shakes often have spaced board sheathing, which needs a solid plywood layer before shingles can be nailed properly.
Synthetic underlayment and drip edge
Synthetic underlayment resists tearing and holds up better than felt if the roof sits open for a day. A metal drip edge runs along the roof's lower and sloped edges, steering runoff past the fascia boards and into the gutter.
New flashing and pipe boots
We replace step flashing at sidewalls and swap out rubber pipe boots, which crack in steady sun long before the shingles wear out.
Attic airflow sized correctly
Fresh air should enter low through the soffit vents and leave high near the peak, in roughly equal amounts. When that flow stalls, trapped attic heat bakes the shingles from underneath and they age early.
Manufacturer nailing pattern
Each shingle is fastened in the nail zone with the count the manufacturer specifies, which is what keeps tabs down in Santa Ana wind gusts.
How to Tell Your Shingles Are Wearing Out
Sandy grit washing out of downspouts
When the mineral coating starts letting go, it rinses off with every rain and piles up at the bottom of the downspout. The asphalt left exposed hardens and cracks within a few summers.
Curling or cupped edges
Tabs that lift at the corners or dip in the middle have lost their oils. Wind gets under them and rain follows.
Cracked, brittle or missing tabs
Shingles that snap instead of flexing, or tabs found in the yard after a windy day, point to a roof that repairs can no longer keep ahead of.
Water stains after winter rain
Ceiling spots after the first storms of the season usually trace to failed flashing or boots. Sometimes a Roof Leak Repair is enough; sometimes the shingles around it are too worn to work with.
An aging shake or patched roof
If your home still has wood shakes or a patchwork of past repairs, a shingle roof over new sheathing is often the simplest upgrade.
How a Shingle Roof Job Runs
- 1
Free inspection and written estimate
We climb the roof, look into the attic and take pictures of the deck, flashing and vents. The free written estimate that follows breaks out tear-off, sheathing, underlayment, flashing and the shingle line you choose as separate lines.
- 2
Choosing the shingle
We lay out samples and explain the trade-offs: three-tab is the lowest cost, architectural shingles are thicker and handle wind better, and cool-rated lines reflect more heat. Then we confirm the color and the line in writing.
- 3
Permit and setup
We file the reroof permit with the city. Title 24, the state's building energy standard, can call for a cool-rated shingle on some reroofs, so we settle that question before your color is final. On the first morning we cover plants, protect the driveway and position the dumpster.
- 4
Tear-off, deck and install
We strip one section at a time, fix the sheathing, dry it in with underlayment and install shingles the same day so the roof is not left open overnight.
- 5
Inspection and cleanup
The city inspector signs off, we run a magnetic sweeper across the yard and driveway, and we walk the finished roof with you.
What Moves the Price of a Shingle Roof
The price starts with the number of squares, each one 100 square feet of roof surface, and then adds the work underneath. Two houses the same size can land far apart once the deck and details are counted. Financing is available through Service Finance Company, subject to credit approval.
- Squares and slope
- A bigger roof takes more bundles and more hours. A steep slope needs roof jacks, harness anchors and slower footwork, which adds labor.
- Shingle line
- Three-tab, architectural and cool-rated shingles carry different material costs. We show each one on the estimate so you can compare.
- Layers and deck condition
- Removing two old layers takes longer than one. Rotted plywood or board sheathing that needs a plywood overlay adds material and time.
- Flashing, vents and penetrations
- Chimneys, skylights, sidewalls and several vent pipes each need flashing work. Adding ridge vent or eave intake also shows up as its own line.
Asphalt Shingle Questions
Something not covered here? (562) 534-3894
Can the new shingles go right over the old ones?
Sometimes code permits it, but we seldom advise it. An extra layer covers up soft decking, adds load and traps heat under the new shingles. Stripping the old roof lets us find and repair the wood before the new roof goes on.
Are architectural shingles worth the extra cost over three-tab?
For most homes, we believe so. They are built from two bonded layers, so they weigh more, resist wind lifting better, and makers usually cover them longer. On a garage or a tight budget, three-tab is still a reasonable choice.
Does my roof need cool-rated shingles?
Depending on the house and the job, California's energy code may call for cool-rated roofing on a reroof. We confirm it when we file the permit and let you know before you settle on a color, because cool-rated lines offer fewer shades.
Should my house get shingles or tile?
Tile lasts longer in constant sun, but it weighs many times more, so the rafters must be able to hold it. Asphalt installs faster, costs less at the start and is easier to patch when part of it is damaged. We look at your framing, discuss your budget and give you a straight answer on which suits you.
Can you help with an insurance claim?
Yes. We deal with your insurance claim directly and give your adjuster our photos and measurements, while your insurer makes the coverage decision. Se Habla Español, so we can talk it through in Spanish or English.
Compare Shingle Options on Your Own Roof
We will inspect your roof, show you what the deck and flashing need, and put each shingle option side by side in a written estimate.