Your shingle roof is starting to look tired. Maybe the edges are curling, the gutters are full of grit, or a storm left a few bare spots on one side. Now you’re trying to figure out whether it needs a repair or a whole new roof, and which of the dozens of shingle roofing options is worth your money.
Those are fair questions, and the answers shouldn’t come with a sales pitch. You should see what’s actually happening on your roof and understand your options before anyone writes up a contract.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and has worked on shingle roofs since 2017 across Central Florida, the Daytona Beach area, the Kansas City metro and Springfield, Missouri. Your inspection is free. Call 866-995-0704 to book it.
Shingle roofing is a system
The shingles are only the part you can see. Most leaks start in the layers under them: the wood deck, the underlayment, the drip edge along the eaves and rakes, the starter strip at the bottom edge, and the metal flashing in valleys and at walls, chimneys and pipes. A quality shingle on a poorly built base won’t protect your home for long.
Shingle roofing is the most common roof in the country, and it’s the roof we work on most, from small repairs to full replacements.
Your shingle options
3-tab shingles
Flat, single-layer strips with a uniform look. They’re lighter and less expensive, and they’re less resistant to wind and hail than thicker shingles. You’ll find them on many older homes. See 3-tab shingle roofing for more.
Architectural shingles
Thicker, laminated shingles with more depth and texture. They hold up better to wind and impact and are the most common choice for replacements today. Learn more on our architectural shingle roofing page.
Premium and impact-rated shingles
Heavier designer shingles can mimic slate or wood shake. Impact-rated shingles are built to resist hail, and the top rating, Class 4 under a test called UL 2218, is worth asking about in hail country. Some insurers recognize Class 4 roofs, so check with your carrier.
Wind ratings and why nails matter
Shingle wind ratings come from lab testing, and the highest ratings are earned with the nailing pattern the manufacturer specifies. For high-wind ratings, that’s usually six nails per shingle instead of the standard four, and every nail has to land within the narrow nailing zone printed on the shingle. In hurricane country, that detail is part of whether the shingle performs the way the wrapper says. Ask your installer which pattern they’ll use.
What wears a shingle roof out
Sun. Ultraviolet light slowly dries out the asphalt and loosens the protective granules, which wash into your gutters. Finding more grit in the downspouts than you used to is your roof’s own warning sign.
Wind. Once a shingle tab lifts, its seal is broken, and the next gust finds the same loose edge. That’s how one missing shingle becomes ten.
Hail. Large hail can bruise or crack shingles, and the damage isn’t always visible from the ground.
Algae and debris. Humidity and shade feed algae, which causes dark streaks, and moss can hold water against the roof. Overhanging branches scrape the surface and fill gutters.
Shingle roofs in our markets
In Central Florida and around Daytona Beach, sun and heat age shingles year-round, and hurricane-season wind is the biggest single test. Wind-rated architectural shingles and careful fastening at the edges make a real difference here. Algae-resistant shingles are worth a look given the humidity.
In the Kansas City metro and Springfield, hail is often the top concern, with freeze-thaw and ice along the eaves close behind. Impact-rated shingles and a good ice barrier at the roof edge are worth discussing in your estimate.
Repair or replace your shingle roof?
A roof missing a dozen shingles after a storm is a different situation from one with brittle, curling shingles on every slope. A few questions help sort it out. Is the damage on one slope or several? Do the shingles around it still flex, or do they crack when lifted? Is the deck underneath dry? How does the repair cost compare with a new roof?
Photos of your actual roof turn that into a decision instead of a guess. Sometimes an inspection finds nothing that needs doing, and that’s a normal outcome, not a wasted trip. If repair is the answer, see shingle roof repair. If you’re leaning toward a new roof, our roof replacement page explains what to expect.
Storm damage and insurance
If wind or hail damaged your shingles, you file your own claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage with photos, provide a written 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 866-995-0704 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos of your roof, a straight answer on repair versus replacement and a written estimate that names the shingle and the layers underneath.
- Get your roof done and the site cleaned up. Many residential shingle roofs are finished in a single day, and the crew cleans up before leaving.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Shingle roofing questions
What’s the difference between 3-tab and architectural shingles?
3-tab shingles are flat and single-layer. Architectural shingles are thicker and laminated, look more dimensional and hold up better to wind and impact.
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it?
In hail-prone areas like Kansas City and Springfield, they often are, especially if your insurer recognizes Class 4 roofs. In Florida, wind rating usually matters more.
Can you replace just a few shingles?
Often, yes, if the rest of the roof is in good shape. Matching the color exactly can be hard on an older roof, and you’ll hear that before any work starts.
How long does a shingle roof replacement take?
Many residential shingle projects are finished in a single day. Larger or steeper roofs can take longer.
A roof you can count on
Small shingle problems, like a lifted tab or a cracked pipe boot, are quick fixes when they’re caught early. Left alone, they let water reach the deck, and the repair gets bigger.
Call 866-995-0704 to book your free inspection, or start your estimate online. You’ll end up with a sound roof, a dry house and the confidence that you chose the right shingle for your home. Trust matters.
