If you make the right decision on the following two questions it is likely that you will not need to worry about your roof for at least 25 years.

1. Who will perform the installation?

Even when using the best materials, your new roof could fail prematurely if it is not installed by a qualified contractor. Click here for more information about choosing a qualified contractor.

2.  What materials will I use?

A new roof is an expensive acquisition - don’t waste your money by using substandard materials

 Since the early 1900’s, the three-tab was the standard composition shingle installed on single family residences. These products come with 20, 25, and 30 year warranty coverage. Color was about the only appearance differentiation with three-tab shingles. Today, architectural shingles are becoming the standard. There are many textures, forms, and designs of architectural shingles available that can result in a major aesthetic upgrade for your home. Some architectural shingles include extended warranties and even life-time warranties. Color is no longer the only choice to make.  We can show you a Good, Better, and Best selection of products.

	Three-tab Shingle
	Architectural Shingle

When choosing shingles, you should investigate your options carefully, comparison shop, and weigh the costs against features and benefits desired. We are experienced with a wide variety of materials and styles and can clearly identify the strengths of each product. Since not all roofing materials are appropriate for any given application, we will work with you to select the correct product for your application. If appearance is a major factor in your decision, then take the time to really look around. AA Roofing can provide product literature and show you the various designer shingle choices available.

Tearing off vs. roof-over

There are two options available for re-roofing installations. One would be to tear off the old roof before applying the new one. The second would be to lay new shingles over the existing roof. While the second choice is the less expensive of the two options, it is not necessarily always the best choice. There are advantages to tearing off the old roof before installing a new one. For example:

• If there are any defects in the roof deck, they will be revealed when the roof is torn off. These defects should be repaired before applying the new roof.

• If condensation problems exist in the attic, they too will be revealed when the roof is torn off. Properly designed attic ventilation can then be installed in order to help eliminate such problems.

• When the old roof is torn off, waterproofing shingle underlayment can be installed before applying the new roof. This will help protect against ice dams. (For more information about ice dams, see the storm damage section.)

• Tearing off the old roof and starting with a clean deck before re-roofing may result in a smoother finished roof system.

 Although there is added cost to these advantages, each lessens the likelihood that the validity of the manufacturer’s shingle warranty will be impaired. If the old roof is torn off, we will provide the clean-up and disposal of the old shingles. If you do plan to re-roof over existing shingles, we will advise you about local building codes that may limit the number of roof layers that can be applied to a residence in your area.

Routine roof maintenance includes a self check in spring and fall. Look for loose shingles, algae, or an abnormal amount of roofing granules in the gutter. You can contact us if you discover any problems.