Asphalt Shingle Installation & Replacement

Asphalt shingles are the most common roof in Texas for good reason: they are affordable, they come in a wide range of colors and styles, and they perform well when installed correctly. There are two main types. Three-tab shingles are the budget option, flat and uniform, with a shorter life. Architectural, or dimensional, shingles are thicker, layered, last longer, and stand up better to wind, which is why most homeowners here choose them.

In a storm-prone area, the ratings matter more than the brand name. For wind, look for shingles that meet the highest wind classes; the FORTIFIED standard from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety calls for asphalt shingles rated ASTM D3161 Class F or ASTM D7158 Class H, the top wind ratings. For hail, the impact rating to know is UL 2218 Class 4, the toughest, developed by IBHS and Underwriters Laboratories. The roofers we connect you with can explain which products carry these ratings and what they are worth for your home.

The installation matters more than the brand, and most homeowners never hear that. A premium shingle nailed wrong, or laid over bad decking or poor ventilation, will fail early. The roofers in our network install to manufacturer specification, which means the right nail count and placement, proper underlayment, starter and ridge pieces, sealed flashing, and attic ventilation that lets heat and moisture escape so the shingles do not cook from underneath. That is what makes a roof reach its rated life in the Texas heat.

If you are choosing a new shingle roof, the roofer can also talk through color and reflectivity. ENERGY STAR notes that lighter, reflective shingles run cooler and ease the cooling load in hot climates like ours. The gain on a steep-slope home is modest, but when you are picking a color anyway, it is worth knowing.