Your shingles have faded, the edges are curling, and there’s a pile of gritty granules at the bottom of every downspout. Maybe your insurance company has started asking how old the roof is. You know a new roof is coming, and you want shingle roof installation in Orlando done by people who’ll take care of the parts you can’t see once it’s finished.
It’s a big purchase, and it’s hard to judge. From the street, a good shingle roof and a sloppy one look about the same on day one. The difference shows up years later, after a few hurricane seasons. You deserve to know what you’re paying for before the first bundle goes up.
APC Roofing installs shingle roofs on homes across the greater Orlando area, from Clermont and Kissimmee to Sanford and Altamonte Springs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and many residential roofs are finished in a single day. Your inspection and estimate are free.
Is it time for a new shingle roof?
Some signs mean the roof is wearing out across the board, not just in one spot:
- Granules washing into the gutters, with dark, bare patches showing on the shingles
- Edges curling up or corners cupping, usually worst on the slopes that get the most afternoon sun
- Shingles that crack or snap instead of bending
- Leaks that get fixed in one place and show up somewhere else
- Black streaks across large areas, which is algae and a sign the roof has been holding moisture
One of these alone may only call for a repair. Several together usually mean replacement makes more sense than patching. If you’re not sure, our shingle roof repair page covers what can be fixed, and the inspection will tell you which side of the line you’re on.
Architectural or 3-tab shingles?
Most new shingle roofs around Orlando use architectural shingles. They’re thicker, built in layers and give the roof more depth and shadow. They also tend to carry higher wind ratings than basic 3-tab shingles.
3-tab shingles are flat and uniform, and some homeowners still want that classic look or need to match an addition. Our 3-tab shingle roofing page covers when they still make sense.
What goes into a shingle roof installation in Orlando
The shingles are only the top layer. Most of what decides how a roof holds up happens before they go on.
Permit. A re-roof in Central Florida needs a permit, and the work gets inspected against the Florida Building Code.
Tear-off and deck check. The old roof comes off down to the wood deck. Every sheet gets checked, and soft, rotted or damaged wood is replaced. Nailing new shingles into weak decking is how roofs fail early.
Underlayment. A water-resistant layer goes over the whole deck. It’s the backup if wind-driven rain gets under a shingle, which matters a lot here.
Edge metal and flashing. Drip edge goes along the eaves and rakes. New flashing goes where the roof meets walls and around pipes, and valleys get lined. These are the spots where most leaks start, so this is no place to reuse old parts.
Starter strip and nailing. A starter course along the edges gives the first row of shingles something to seal to. Each shingle gets nailed in the zone the manufacturer marks, with the extra nails called for in high-wind areas. Nails placed too high or too few are one of the most common reasons shingles blow off.
Ridge. Ridge cap shingles finish the peak and hips.
Choosing shingles for Central Florida
Heat, humidity and wind narrow the field. Algae-resistant shingles help keep the black streaks away in our humid climate. Lighter colors reflect more sun than dark ones, which can take some heat off the attic. And the shingle’s wind rating only holds if it’s installed to the manufacturer’s instructions, which is one reason installer quality matters as much as the product.
The good news about Florida heat: the sealant strip on each shingle activates in warm weather, so a new roof here seals down quickly.
What install day looks like
Before work starts, landscaping and the driveway get covered. The crew strips the old roof, repairs the deck and lays the new system. Many residential roofs are done in a day; larger or more complex roofs take longer, and you’ll know the timeline ahead of time. Before the crew leaves, the yard, driveway and gutters get cleaned up.
If you’d like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance. Our roof financing page explains how it works. You can also compare shingle types on our shingle roofing page.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of your roof, hear whether it needs replacing or can be repaired, and get a written estimate that names the shingle and every layer under it.
- Your new roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. Many homes are finished in one day.
Shingle roof installation questions from Orlando homeowners
How long does a shingle roof installation take?
Many residential roofs are finished in one day. Larger or more complicated roofs can take longer, and you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
Can new shingles go over my old ones?
Codes allow a second layer in some cases, but it hides the deck from view and adds weight. A full tear-off lets any bad wood get found and replaced, which makes it the more thorough way to re-roof.
What color shingle is best for a Florida home?
Lighter colors reflect more heat, which helps in Central Florida. Plenty of homeowners still choose darker shades for the look, and either can work well.
Do I need to be home during the installation?
Not usually. Someone should be reachable by phone, and it helps to move cars out of the driveway and anything fragile off interior walls, since the hammering can shake things loose.
A roof you don’t have to think about
An old shingle roof doesn’t usually fail all at once. It leaks a little at a time, and the decking underneath pays for it. Get it looked at before another rainy season, and you can go into hurricane season with a new roof, a dry attic and confidence in who put it on. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection.
