Clifton, New Jersey
Asphalt Shingle Roofs in Clifton, NJ
A few shingles torn off, or curling, cracked and bald ones across whole slopes? Call and you are connected with an independent roofing contractor that repairs and replaces shingle roofs in Clifton and nearby towns.
- Independent local roofing contractors
- Repairs, replacements and new roofs
- You decide whether to hire
Asphalt shingles
The roof on most Clifton houses
Asphalt shingles are a common choice for pitched roofs. They suit the steep gables of older two-family houses and Cape Cods, they come in many colors, and nearly every roofing contractor installs them. What separates one shingle roof from another is mostly underneath: the underlayment, the ice barrier, the flashing and the ventilation.
Most new shingle roofs use architectural (dimensional) shingles rather than flat three-tab ones. They are thicker and carry higher wind ratings. Ask which product line is quoted and what the manufacturer requires for its full warranty.
Choosing shingles for a North Jersey roof
Ice barrier
New Jersey's residential code ties the ice-barrier requirement to areas where the average daily January temperature is 25°F or less (N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.21). Ask whether one goes in at the eaves either way.
Ventilation
Attic intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge help the roof shed heat in summer and reduce ice dams in winter.
Wind rating
Ask for the shingle's wind rating and the nailing pattern it requires.
Algae resistance
Dark streaks on north-facing slopes are algae. Many shingles include algae-resistant granules.
Color
Older streets mix many colors; a mid-tone usually ages well next to brick and siding.
Warranty
The manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty are separate. Get both in writing.
Trees, leaves and shingle roofs
Where mature trees overhang a house, leaves collect in valleys and gutters every fall and hold moisture against the shingles, and overhanging limbs scrape the surface in wind. Before a replacement, having overhanging branches trimmed by a tree service gives the new roof a clean start.
Ask the contractor about valley construction, since open metal valleys shed leaves differently from woven or closed-cut shingle valleys, and whether gutter guards make sense for your trees.
Questions
Asphalt Shingle Roofs: common questions
How long do asphalt shingles last?
It depends on the product, the ventilation, the roof's pitch and how much sun and shade it gets. Instead of relying on age alone, have a contractor look for widespread curling, cracking and granule loss.
Why do my shingles have dark streaks?
Usually algae, which grows where roofs stay damp and shaded. It is mostly cosmetic. If you are replacing the roof anyway, algae-resistant shingles are an option.
Can a few missing shingles just be replaced?
Usually, if the shingles around them are still flexible and the seal strips on neighboring shingles hold. The contractor slips new ones in and nails them under the course above. On a worn-out slope, the old shingles may crack as they are lifted, which is a sign the slope is near the end.
Do I need new gutters with a new roof?
Not always. Gutters often come down during a replacement. If they are sagging or rusted, it can make sense to replace them at the same time, and the drip edge should be detailed to work with them.
Roof services
Other roof services
- Roof ReplacementOld layers off, deck checked, new underlayment, flashing and roof covering on.
- Roof RepairLeaks at chimneys, vents and valleys, worn flat rear roofs, and shingles lifted by wind.
- New Roofs for AdditionsAdditions, dormers and rebuilds: a new roof framed, permitted and tied into the old one.
- Flat & Low-Slope RoofsMembrane roofs for porches, rear sections and garages that shingles can't cover.
- Metal RoofsStanding seam and metal shingles: longer-lived panels, with details that need care.
- Two-Family House RoofsTall gables, stacked porches and two households: repairing or replacing a two-family roof.
Roof leaking or worn out?
Talk to a Clifton-area roofing contractor
Call and you are put through to an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton, Nutley, Little Falls, Woodland Park and Wayne. Tell them what you have noticed and ask them to inspect the roof and price the work, whether that turns out to be a repair or a new roof.
A leak to track down or a roof to replace? Talk to a local roofing contractor.
You are connected with an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton and nearby towns.
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