Asphalt Shingle Roofing: what to expect
Architectural versus three-tab
Three-tab shingles are flat, light, cheaper and generally carry lower wind ratings. Architectural (laminated) shingles are thicker, heavier, more wind-resistant and are what most Connecticut replacements use today. The wind rating on the packaging assumes correct fastening and a properly sealed adhesive strip; a shingle nailed above the nail line performs nothing like its rating regardless of what it cost.
Why installation matters more than brand
Nail placement, nail count, starter course at the eaves and rakes, proper valley treatment and correct flashing decide how a shingle roof performs in a New England winter. So does ventilation: an attic that runs hot cooks shingles from the underside and takes years off the roof. This is why the same shingle can last thirty years on one house and fifteen on the one next door.
Cold-weather installation
Shingles installed in Connecticut from late autumn onward may not see enough sun to activate their sealing strips before winter, which leaves them vulnerable to wind uplift until spring. Experienced crews hand-seal with roofing cement in cold conditions. Ask specifically whether that is included if the work is happening between November and March.
Typically included
- Architectural laminated and three-tab shingle systems
- Correct nail line placement and fastener count
- Starter courses at eaves and rakes
- Closed-cut or open metal valleys as the roof requires
- Cold-weather hand-sealing when installed off-season
- Colour matching for repairs, with realistic expectations