You’ve decided the old roof has to go, or an inspector or your insurance company has decided for you. That part is settled. What’s harder is that roof installation in Sanford happens mostly out of sight, in layers you’ll never look at again, and you’re trusting a crew you just met to get every one of them right.
That’s a lot to hand a stranger, especially after a storm season when trucks with out-of-state plates are knocking on doors. You deserve to know what a proper installation looks like before anyone pulls off a single shingle, so you can compare estimates and ask good questions.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured. Your inspection and estimate are free, and you’ll get the scope of work in writing before the job starts.
What a proper roof installation in Sanford includes
A roof is a stack of parts, and the shingles or tile on top are only the last one. Here’s what should happen underneath, in order.
Tear-off down to the deck
Some jurisdictions allow a new layer of shingles nailed over an old one. Even where that’s allowed, a full tear-off is usually the better choice in Central Florida. It’s the only way to see the plywood, the old flashing and any soft spots a leak has left behind. A second layer also hides every bump of the first one and adds weight the house wasn’t built to carry.
Deck repair and re-nailing
Once the old roof is off, the deck can be walked and checked board by board. Soft or rotted sections get cut out and replaced. Nails driven into weak wood don’t hold, and in a summer squall that’s how a new roof starts losing shingles. Depending on the age of your house, the building code can also call for extra fasteners in the existing deck so it holds up better in high wind.
Underlayment and a sealed deck
The underlayment is the water barrier between the deck and the roofing. Most roofers now use synthetic underlayment instead of old felt paper because it’s lighter, tougher and doesn’t wrinkle after a rain. Florida’s building code also sets rules for sealing the deck, either by taping the seams or by using a self-adhered underlayment. The point is simple: if a hurricane strips some shingles, the house underneath still has a fighting chance of staying dry.
Drip edge and flashing
Metal drip edge runs along the eaves and rakes so water falls clear of the fascia instead of curling back under. Every place the roof meets a wall or chimney gets new flashing, and the bottom of each wall run should get a kickout so water doesn’t slide down inside the siding. Old flashing comes off with the old roof. It’s pitted, it’s been nailed through, and reusing it to save an hour is a shortcut you’ll pay for later. Pipe boots get replaced too, because the rubber collars usually give out long before the shingles do.
The roofing itself
For shingles, that means a proper starter strip at the edges, then each course nailed in the manufacturer’s nailing zone with the number of nails their high-wind instructions call for. Tile and metal follow their own systems, with attachment methods approved for Florida wind loads. Whatever material you pick, the wind rating on the package only holds if it was installed the way the maker spells out.
Choosing the right roof for your Sanford home
Most homes around Sanford have asphalt shingles, and for good reason. They’re the most affordable option up front, they come in wind-rated versions built for Florida, and they’re quick to install. If you’re weighing shingles, our page on asphalt shingle roofing in Sanford walks through the types.
Tile is common on many Florida homes and lasts a long time when the underlayment beneath it is done right. It’s heavy, though, so it belongs on houses framed to carry it. See tile roof installation in Sanford for what that job involves.
Metal costs more at the start but handles heat and wind well. Low-slope sections over porches and Florida rooms need a membrane, not shingles, because water drains off too slowly for shingles to work there.
We’ll tell you which we’d put on your house and why, and the choice stays yours.
Permits, inspections and paperwork
A full re-roof in Florida generally needs a building permit and a final inspection by the local building department. The roofing contractor should be the one pulling the permit, since it ties the work to a licensed business. Be cautious with anyone who suggests skipping it to save time or money.
Keep the permit record with your house papers. When you shop for homeowners insurance or sell the house, a documented, inspected roof answers questions that memory can’t.
What to expect on installation day
A new roof is loud. Every hammer blow carries through the framing, so take pictures and mirrors off upper walls and cover anything you store in the attic. Move cars out of the driveway, since a dumpster and material delivery will need the space. Pets that don’t like noise do better in a quiet room or out of the house for the day.
Many residential shingle projects are finished in a single day. Tile roofs, larger homes and roofs that need a lot of deck repair take longer, and you’ll get a realistic timeline with your estimate.
If storm damage is what brought you here, you file your own claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage with photos, provide your estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
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 and get a written scope that names the materials, the flashing and how damaged wood will be handled. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets installed and the site gets cleaned up. The crew builds the roof in the order above and cleans up before leaving.
If you’re still deciding between a repair and a full new roof, start with our roof replacement in Sanford page or see everything we do on the Sanford roofing services page.
Roof installation questions from Sanford homeowners
Do I need a permit for a new roof in Sanford?
A full re-roof generally does. Your roofing contractor should pull it and schedule the inspection. Ask to see it before work starts.
Can new shingles go over my old roof?
Sometimes it’s allowed, but it’s rarely the better choice here. An overlay hides the deck, keeps old flashing in place and adds weight. A tear-off lets you see and fix what’s underneath.
How long does a roof installation take?
Many residential shingle roofs take one day. Tile, metal and larger or more complicated roofs take longer.
Will a new roof help with my insurance?
Many Florida insurers look closely at roof age and condition. A new, permitted roof can make it easier to get or keep coverage, though your insurer makes that call.
Start your Sanford roof installation the right way
Waiting on a roof that’s already failing usually costs more, not less. Water that gets past worn shingles soaks the deck and insulation long before it shows on a ceiling, and every month adds wood that has to be replaced.
Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection. The goal is a new roof built right from the deck up, a dry house through hurricane season and no surprise on the final bill. Your satisfaction is our reputation.
