When your Portland, OR, shingle roof is showing enough signs of wear and tear, it’s time to have a team of reliable Portland roofing contractors replace it. While this can be a daunting project to take on by yourself, working with our trusted roofing company in Portland, OR, will remove the stress from the situation and ensure the process is a smooth one — and that you’re beyond happy with your roof when all is said and done.

Wondering what the shingle roof replacement process looks like? This guide will provide everything you need to know to make the right decisions, so you end up with a durable, aesthetically pleasing roof that will last you many years.

When to Replace Your Shingles

Any good team of Portland roofing contractors will tell you — the right time to replace your shingles is dependent upon the type of shingles you have. In general, there are two types of shingles: those that last 25 years, and those that can last up to 50 years.

As you might assume, the 25-year shingles are more affordable to install, but the shorter lifespan makes the 5% greater cost to upgrade to the 50-year shingles worth it. To that point, the 5-year shingles are much more durable and can weather rough environmental conditions, providing longer-lasting protection to your roof and the home within it.

Regardless of the type of shingles you have, however, it’s time to look into roof repair in Portland, OR, or opt for a full re-roof if your roof is showing signs of wear and tear, you’re experiencing a leak, your gutters aren’t draining properly, or you’re noticing other troubling signs.

Choosing the Best Shingles for Your Roof

You have three primary options when selecting the shingles for your roof.

  • The most basic option is the 3-tab shingle, a lightweight shingle made up of a fiberglass base topped with mineral granules — these last around 20 years.
  • A slightly more expensive option that combines two shingle layers bonded together is called an architectural shingle.Architectural shingles provide an elevated look to the roof in addition to their premium durability.
  • Your third option is the luxury shingle, a shingle-style designed to look like natural slate but at a more accessible price point.

These shingles are also more durable than the 3-tab style, but any of these three shingle styles would make a great choice for your next re-roof with your select roofing contractors in Portland, OR.

Which Underlayment Is the Best Option?

In addition to the shingle style, you’ll also need to work with your Portland roofers to choose the best of two underlayment styles for your new shingle roof. You’ll need to choose between synthetic or felt paper underlayment, which serves as the base layer of material placed on top of the roof deck but underneath your new shingles.

The felt paper option is much like the felt you used in elementary art class, and unfortunately, it has a tendency to tear just as easily. It also doesn’t stand up well to rain, and in the wet and rainy climate of Portland, OR, it’s likely not the best option. Synthetic underlayment, however, is the more popular choice for roofers in Portland. It uses fiberglass woven into the fabric to reduce wear and fares much better in the weather. This upgrade does come with an upgraded cost, however, the benefits make it worth it.

The Key to Your Best Roof: Finding the Best Contractor

We hope you have some peace of mind now after gaining a better understanding of the shingle roof replacement process for your next Portland roofing project.

If you’re looking for an experienced, friendly, and always professional team of Portland roofing contractors, give us a call when you’re ready to get started.