Maybe the adjuster just told you the hail damage is bad enough for a full replacement. Or your roof is old enough that every spring storm makes you nervous, and you’ve decided it’s time. Either way, a shingle roof installation in Denver is a big purchase, and you only get to see a small part of the work once it’s finished.
That’s the hard part. Most of what makes a new roof last sits under the shingles, where you’ll never see it, and two estimates for the “same” roof can describe very different jobs. You deserve to know what’s going on your house and why.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 720-902-6940 and we’ll look at your roof, measure it and walk you through what a new one involves.
What a proper shingle roof installation includes
A new roof is a set of layers, and each one has a job. Here’s what a complete asphalt shingle roof replacement in Denver typically involves.
Tear-off. The old shingles and underlayment come off down to the wood. Stripping it bare is the only way to see the condition of the deck underneath.
Deck repair. The roof deck is the plywood or plank boards the shingles nail into. Soft, rotted or delaminated sections get replaced so the new shingles have something solid to hold. On older Denver homes with plank decking, gaps between boards sometimes need attention too.
Ice barrier at the eaves. A self-adhering membrane goes along the lower edge of the roof and in the valleys. This matters here. When snow melts on a sunny afternoon and refreezes at the cold roof edge, the ice can push water back up under the shingles. The membrane seals around each nail and stops that water from reaching the deck.
Underlayment. The rest of the deck gets a layer of synthetic underlayment, a backup in case wind-driven rain or snowmelt gets past the shingles.
Drip edge and starter strip. Metal drip edge at the eaves and rakes directs water into the gutters instead of behind them. A starter strip along the bottom gives the first row of shingles an adhesive edge so wind can’t catch it.
Flashing. New metal goes in where the roof meets chimneys, walls and other roof planes. Old flashing that’s bent or rusted shouldn’t be reused, because this is where many leaks start.
Shingles and ridge cap. The shingles go on in overlapping courses, nailed in the spot the manufacturer specifies, and the ridge gets its own cap shingles.
When you compare estimates, look for each of those layers by name. If one is missing, ask why.
Choosing shingles for a Denver roof
Most new shingle roofs in Denver use architectural shingles, also called dimensional or laminated shingles. They’re thicker than the older flat 3-tab style, they hold up better in wind and they give the roof a more textured look.
3-tab shingles are flatter and lighter. They still make sense for some sheds, garages and rental properties, but most homeowners replacing a whole roof choose architectural.
Premium shingles are heavier still, often shaped to look like slate or wood shake. And given how often hail hits the Front Range, it’s worth asking about impact-resistant shingles, which are tested to take hail strikes better than standard ones. Some insurers offer a discount for them, so check with your agent before you decide.
Color is a real decision too. Shingles from different production runs can vary a little in shade, so all the bundles for one roof should come from the same batch.
Weather and timing in Denver
Shingles have an adhesive strip that bonds each row to the one below it, and that strip needs warmth from the sun to seal. In summer it seals within days. In cold weather, sealing can take much longer, and some installers add sealant by hand on a winter job so the tabs don’t lift in the next windstorm.
Timing also follows hail season. After a big storm, demand for roofers jumps, and so do the out-of-town crews knocking on doors. Take the time to check that whoever you hire is licensed, insured and has a local address you can find again.
Many residential projects are finished in a single day once the materials are on site. Bigger or steeper roofs take longer, and your estimate will include a realistic timeline.
Can new shingles go over the old ones?
Sometimes, but in Denver it’s often not the best choice. Laying a second layer saves the tear-off, but it hides the deck, so soft or rotted wood stays hidden under the new roof. It adds weight, and the new shingles don’t lie as flat over the bumps of the old ones. Most building codes cap a roof at two layers, so if yours already has two, it has to come off.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of your roof, hear whether a replacement is really needed or a repair will do, and get a written estimate that lists the materials. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your new roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. You’ll know the plan and the timeline before the first shingle comes off.
If your new roof is part of a hail claim, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your deductible. We document the damage, provide the estimate and work with your adjuster.
If the roof isn’t ready for replacement, you’ll hear that too. Sometimes shingle roof repair in Denver buys a roof several more good years.
Shingle roof installation questions
How long does a new shingle roof take to install?
Many residential projects are finished in a single day. Larger, steeper or more complicated roofs can take longer, and weather can push the start date.
Can you install a roof in the winter?
Yes, on days that are dry and not too cold. The adhesive strips take longer to seal in cold weather, which is why winter installs need extra care at the edges.
Do I need to be home during the installation?
Not usually. It helps to move cars out of the driveway and take fragile items off walls inside, since the hammering can shake things loose.
What’s the difference between this and a roof replacement?
On a shingle roof they’re the same job. See our roof replacement in Denver page for other materials, like metal and tile.
Get your new shingle roof started
Call 720-902-6940 or book your free inspection online, and see all of our options on the shingle roofing in Denver page.
Picture the next hailstorm rolling through, and you just listening to it, knowing every layer up there was put on right. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
