Asphalt shingle roofs in Bryan and College Station

Shingles come in two main styles. Three tab shingles are a single flat layer. Architectural shingles are laminated in layers for a thicker, dimensional look, and have their own page.

• Mat A fiberglass mat at the core.
• Asphalt The coating that makes the shingle waterproof.
• Granules Ceramic coated mineral granules on top, which give the color and shield the asphalt from the sun.

Sun works on the granules, and the granules protect the asphalt. Granule loss spread evenly across a roof is wear. Loss concentrated in spots, with impact bruising, points to hail.

Central Texas hail peaks in May. Wind lifts tabs at the seal strip, and a lifted tab is a way in for water. Both are reasons to look at the roof in late winter and again after a storm.

On a replacement we strip to the deck, replace soft decking, and rebuild with underlayment, drip edge, flashing at every penetration and the shingles you choose. Flashing is replaced, not reused.

On an inspection we look for impact bruising, granule loss, tabs lifted at the seal strip, and the condition of the valleys and penetrations, and we check the attic. We are Owens Corning certified and GAF certified.

• After storms Look from the ground for lifted, cracked or missing shingles, and photograph anything you find.
• Gutters Keep them clear. Granules piled at a downspout outlet are worth noting, though not alarming by themselves on a newer roof.
• Attic Staining, damp insulation or daylight under the deck is worth a call.