You’ve decided the old roof has to go, or an inspection decided it for you. Now you’re facing a few thousand square feet of work done by people you’ve just met, on the one part of the house you can’t easily check. You want your shingle roof installation in Clermont done right the first time, without a mess in the yard or a surprise on the final bill.
That worry makes sense. Most of what makes a new roof last is hidden under the shingles by the end of the day, so you can’t judge the work by how it looks from the street. Knowing what should happen at each step helps you ask better questions of anyone you hire, including us.
APC Roofing has installed roofs since 2017. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your estimate is free. Call 407-270-1129.
Before install day
A good installation starts with a clear estimate: which shingle line and color you’re getting, what’s being torn off, and how rotted wood will be handled if the crew finds any. Ask any roofer whether the building permit and final inspection are part of the estimate, and get the answer in writing.
There are a few things you can do to get ready. Move cars out of the driveway and garage area, take fragile items off shelves on walls that share the roof framing, and bring pets inside or plan to keep them away from the work. Some dust can drift down into the attic during tear-off, so cover anything stored up there that you care about.
Shingle roof installation in Clermont, step by step
Tear-off down to the deck
The old shingles and underlayment come off completely so the roof deck can be seen. Laying new shingles over old ones skips this step and hides whatever is wrong with the wood underneath. In a hurricane-prone area it also leaves the new roof fastened through an old layer instead of into solid deck, which is why a full tear-off is the better choice for most Florida homes.
Checking and repairing the deck
With the old roof off, the plywood or plank sheathing is checked for soft spots, rot and old water damage. Damaged sections get new wood. This is the one part of the job no one can estimate exactly in advance, so you should see photos of anything that needs replacing.
Underlayment
A layer of underlayment goes over the whole deck. It’s the roof’s backup waterproofing, the thing that keeps rain out if wind ever pulls off a shingle. Peel-and-stick membrane is often used in valleys and around the edges where water collects or wind-driven rain pushes hardest.
Drip edge and starter shingles
Metal drip edge goes along the eaves and rakes to carry water off the roof and protect the edge of the deck. A starter row of shingles with its own adhesive strip goes down along the edges. These edges are where wind tries to get under a roof first, so they matter more than their size suggests.
Shingles, nailed for high wind
Shingles go on in overlapping rows, each fastened with the number and placement of nails the manufacturer calls for in high-wind areas. Nails placed too high or driven crooked are a common reason shingles blow off later. Once the sun warms them, the adhesive strips bond each row to the one below.
Flashing, pipe boots and ridge
Pipe boots and flashing at walls, chimneys and valleys are replaced instead of reused, because old flashing is often the first thing to leak on a new roof. Ridge cap shingles finish the peak.
Cleanup
Old shingles, nails and wrappers are hauled away, and the yard, driveway and beds are cleaned up before the crew leaves.
How long a new shingle roof takes
Many residential projects are finished in a single day. Bigger or steeper roofs, homes with a lot of deck damage, and afternoon thunderstorms can stretch that out. You’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
Summer rain is a real factor in Clermont. Good crews only open as much roof as they can cover before weather moves in, and they watch the radar closely from June through September.
Choosing your shingles
Most new shingle roofs use architectural shingles, which are thicker and usually carry higher wind ratings than flat 3-tab shingles. Our architectural shingle roofing page compares the options. Look at a large sample in daylight before you choose a color.
Paying for a new roof
If paying all at once is hard, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance. Our Clermont roof financing page explains how it works. If a storm caused the damage, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your deductible, and we document the damage, provide an estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of your roof and get a written estimate that spells out the shingle, the scope and how deck repairs are handled.
- Your roof gets installed and the site gets cleaned up. Many residential projects are finished in a single day.
Shingle installation questions from Clermont homeowners
Do I need to be home during the installation?
Not usually. Someone should be reachable by phone, and it helps to share gate codes, pet details and your sprinkler schedule ahead of time.
What happens if rotted wood turns up under the old roof?
It gets replaced before the new roof goes on. You’ll see photos of the damaged areas, and how deck repairs are billed is spelled out in your estimate before the job starts.
Can new shingles go over my old roof?
Sometimes it’s possible, but it’s rarely the better choice in Florida. A tear-off lets the deck be checked and lets the new shingles fasten into solid wood, which matters in high wind.
Can you install a roof during rainy season?
Yes. Roofs go on year-round in Central Florida. Ask any roofer how an open roof gets protected if a storm pops up in the afternoon, and expect a specific answer.
Book your shingle roof installation estimate
Call 407-270-1129 or request your free estimate online. For more on shingle options, see our main Clermont shingle roofing page. The goal is a new roof you don’t have to think about through the next hurricane season, a clean yard on day one and a final bill that matches the estimate.
