The decision is made, or close to it. The old shingles are worn out, the repairs aren’t holding and maybe your insurance company has started asking about the roof’s age. Now you’re comparing estimates for shingle roof installation in Kissimmee, and they don’t look much alike. One is a single line with a total. Another runs three pages and mentions parts you’ve never heard of.
It’s a big purchase, and you only do it once every couple of decades, so it makes sense to feel unsure. Most of what makes a shingle roof last happens in steps you’ll never see once the job is done. You deserve to know what those steps are before you sign anything.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and we’ve been installing roofs in Central Florida since 2017. Your inspection and estimate are free. Call 407-270-1129.
Before install day
A new roof starts with an inspection of the old one, including the attic. That’s where you find out whether the plywood deck underneath is sound, whether there’s been a slow leak nobody noticed and how the roof is shaped around chimneys, walls and valleys. All of that affects the estimate.
Next comes choosing the shingle. Most homeowners in Kissimmee go with architectural shingles, which are thicker than older 3-tab shingles and usually carry higher wind ratings. If you live in a community with an HOA, check whether they need to approve the color or product first. Our asphalt shingle roofing in Kissimmee page explains the shingle types in more detail.
A reroof in Florida needs a building permit, and the work gets inspected. A roofer should handle the permit as part of the job. If anyone suggests skipping it, take that as a warning sign.
What a proper shingle roof installation includes
Here’s what should happen on a full replacement, in order. When you read an estimate, look for each of these.
Tear-off down to the deck
The old shingles and underlayment come off completely. Going over an old roof with a second layer hides problems and adds weight, and a tear-off is the only way to see the deck.
Deck check and repairs
With the old roof gone, the plywood gets checked for soft spots, rot and loose boards. Damaged sections get replaced, and the deck gets fastened to meet current code. Florida’s building code is strict about how the roof deck is attached, because that’s what keeps the roof on in high wind.
Underlayment
A water-resistant layer goes down over the whole deck before any shingles. It’s the backup if wind ever drives rain past the shingles. Florida code has specific requirements here too, and a good estimate names the underlayment being used.
Drip edge and starter strip
Metal drip edge goes along the eaves and rakes so water drips clear of the fascia. A starter strip runs along the bottom edge and up the sides so the first row of shingles is sealed down where wind hits hardest.
Flashing at valleys, walls and pipes
Valleys, where two slopes meet, carry more water than any other part of the roof and need careful work. Metal flashing along walls and around chimneys should be replaced, not reused. Plumbing vent pipes get new boots. Most roof leaks start at one of these spots, so this is where experience shows.
Shingles, nailed in the right place
Each shingle has a nailing line, and nails need to go right there, straight and flush. Nails placed too high or driven crooked are one of the main reasons shingles blow off in storms. In high-wind areas like Central Florida, manufacturers generally call for extra nails per shingle.
Ridge cap and final check
Special ridge shingles cap the peaks and hips. Then the roof gets a final walk-through, and the permit inspection gets scheduled.
Why installation matters more in Kissimmee
The shingle on the label is only half the story. The other half is how it’s put on, and Central Florida weather tests that hard.
Kissimmee’s afternoon thunderstorms bring sudden gusts and heavy rain, and hurricane season, June 1 through November 30, brings wind that can last for hours. Shingles hold down because a strip of sealant on each one bonds to the row beneath, and the sun’s heat activates it. A roof installed in hot weather usually seals quickly. Nails in the wrong place, a missing starter strip or a sloppy valley can undo all of it in one storm.
What to expect on install day
Many residential shingle roofs are finished in a single day. Larger roofs or homes with a lot of deck repair can take longer, and you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
It’s loud. Tear-off involves a lot of banging and scraping, so if you work from home or have pets that don’t like noise, plan around it. Move cars out of the driveway and out from under the roof edge. Take down anything hanging on interior walls that might rattle loose. The crew cleans up before leaving, and you’ll want to walk the yard with them at the end.
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 get photos of your current roof and a written estimate that spells out the shingle, underlayment and flashing. If you’d like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your new roof goes on and the site gets cleaned up. Once the permit is in place, the install gets scheduled, and the crew cleans up before leaving.
If you’re still deciding whether you need a full replacement at all, our roof replacement in Kissimmee page covers that decision. You can see all our local services on the Kissimmee roofing page.
Shingle installation questions from Kissimmee homeowners
How long does a shingle roof installation take?
Many homes are done in a single day. Bigger or more complicated roofs, or roofs that need a lot of deck repair, take longer.
Do I need to be home during the install?
Not usually. Someone should be reachable by phone, and the crew needs clear access around the outside of the house.
Can you install new shingles over my old roof?
It’s sometimes allowed, but a full tear-off is usually the better choice. It lets you see and fix the deck, and the new roof isn’t sitting on top of old problems.
Will the new shingles hold up to hurricanes?
A properly installed architectural shingle roof, with correct nailing, starter strips and sealed edges, holds up well in most storms. Installation quality matters as much as the product.
Shingle roof installation in Kissimmee starts with a free estimate
Call 407-270-1129 or start your estimate online. We’ll inspect the roof, explain your options and give you a written estimate you can actually read.
When it’s done, you’ll have a new roof that’s built to handle Florida weather, a clean yard and one less thing to worry about every time a storm rolls in.
