Asphalt Shingle Roofs Installed in Philadelphia
Shingles are the right roof for the pitched twins, singles and dormered houses across this city. The choice between shingle types matters less than the prep under them, and we spend our time on both.
Asphalt shingles are the standard roof on pitched Philadelphia houses, and published city figures put a pitched architectural shingle roof of about 1,600 square feet at $9,000 to $15,000. Most homeowners here choose architectural shingles for their thicker, layered profile; three-tab still suits simple roofs and tighter budgets.
What Goes Into a Shingle Roof That Lasts
A shingle roof is a system: a sound deck, underlayment, ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys, drip edge, the shingles, and a ridge that lets the attic breathe. Most early shingle failures trace to one of the layers you cannot see once the job is done.
We install to the manufacturer's instructions, because Philadelphia's re-roofing certification asks the contractor to confirm exactly that, and because it is what keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid.
What Sets the Price of a Shingle Roof
- Roof size and pitchMore squares and steeper slopes add material and labor.
- Shingle lineThree-tab, architectural and impact-rated shingles price in that order.
- Layers coming offA second old layer adds tear-off and disposal.
- Deck repairsSoft or gapped boards are replaced before shingling.
- DetailsValleys, dormers, chimneys and skylights add flashing time.
Published figures put installed asphalt shingles at $5 to $8 per square foot in Philadelphia. These are market planning ranges, not our quote.
Architectural Shingle Installation
Architectural, or dimensional, shingles are built from two bonded layers, which gives the roof a thicker, shadowed look and better wind resistance than a flat single-layer shingle. They are what most Philadelphia homeowners pick for a full replacement. We install them over new underlayment with starter strips at the eaves and rakes, six-nail patterns where wind exposure calls for it, and matching hip and ridge caps. Product lines we install most include GAF Timberline, Owens Corning Duration and CertainTeed Landmark.
Three-Tab Shingle Installation
Three-tab shingles are single-layer, flat, cut into three even tabs. They cost less and suit simple roofs, garages, and porches where the roof is barely visible from the street. They are thinner, lighter and less wind resistant than architectural shingles, so on a main roof exposed to winter wind we usually recommend architectural unless the budget decides it. Three-tab is also the right match when a small section of an existing three-tab roof is being redone and should blend in.
Impact-Resistant Shingles
Impact-resistant shingles carry a Class 4 rating under the UL 2218 test, meaning they survived a steel ball dropped from height without cracking. They cost more than standard architectural shingles and make most sense on roofs under large mature trees, or on houses that have already taken hail damage in a past summer storm. Some insurers offer a premium credit for Class 4 roofs; that depends entirely on your policy, so we suggest checking with your agent before choosing them for that reason alone.
Shingle Color and Style Selection
Color is the one decision you see every day, and it is hard to judge from a small sample. Darker shingles hide streaking and suit brick and stone fronts; lighter ones reflect more heat into a sunny attic. On an attached twin, matching or complementing the neighbor's roof usually looks better from the street. We bring full-size samples you can hold against the brick, and we suggest looking at a finished roof in the same color nearby before you decide.
Brands we install and service
Pricing a new shingle roof?
Call and we measure it and walk you through shingle options.
What We See on Philadelphia Roofs
Pitched shingle roofs are concentrated in Northeast Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy rather than in the flat-roofed rowhome core. Much of Parkwood went up in the late 1950s as the planned Parkwood Manor community, and like the post-war twins of Somerton those houses are on their second or third shingle roof, usually over plank or early plywood decking that deserves a close look at tear-off.
From Samples to a Finished Shingle Roof
- 1
Measure and inspect
Squares, pitch, layers and deck condition from the attic.
- 2
Choose the shingle
Line, color and any impact rating, with full-size samples.
- 3
Permit and delivery
Permit filed and materials delivered to the roof edge.
- 4
Tear-off and deck
Old layers off, boards replaced, deck swept clean.
- 5
Underlayment and shingles
Barrier, underlayment, starter, shingles, ridge.
- 6
Cleanup and paperwork
Nail sweep, photos, permit certification, product details.
Shingle Roofing Questions
It depends on the shingle line, ventilation and exposure. Poor attic ventilation shortens life more than anything we can control on the roof surface.
Yes, with care. Sealant strips need warmth to bond, so cold-weather jobs get hand-sealed tabs in exposed spots.
Not below the manufacturer's minimum pitch. Rear additions that are nearly flat get a membrane instead, tied into the shingles.
Not always. We check them, and new drip edge usually needs gutters that are sound and correctly pitched.
We install to the manufacturer's instructions and give you the product details so the warranty can be registered.
More Replacement & Installation Work in Philadelphia
From our guides: What a Roof Replacement Costs in Philadelphia
Put a Shingle Roof on a Sound Deck
Call for a measured estimate and full-size samples. We check what is under the old roof first.