ServicesAsphalt Shingle Roofing
Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Los Alamitos
We install and repair asphalt shingle roofs from the deck and underlayment up to the ridge vent. You get shingles nailed to the manufacturer's pattern, flashing at every wall and pipe, and an attic vented so your roof isn't baked from below.
When shingles are the right roof for your home
Asphalt shingles are light, quick to install and cost less than tile. They also suit the low-pitched ranch roofs on many 1950s and '60s tract homes in the area. Architectural (laminated) shingles are two layers glued together, and they stand up to wind and sun far better than the old flat three-tab style, so they are what we install on most reroofs.
The weak points are rarely the shingles in the middle of the roof. They are the edges, the flashing and the attic. Strong sun dries out the asphalt and loosens the granules. Wind lifts tabs whose sealant strips never stuck down. A hot attic with poor intake venting ages the shingles from the underside. We check all of that before we recommend a repair or a new roof.
If your shingles are past saving, our Roof Replacement page walks through a full tear-off. If you have a tile roof, see Tile Roofing.
What our shingle work covers
- 01
Full tear-off to the deck
We remove every old layer down to the sheathing instead of laying new shingles over old ones. That lets us see rot and delamination, and it gives the new nails solid wood to grip.
- 02
Deck repair and re-sheathing
Soft or broken sheathing gets cut out and replaced. Many older homes still have spaced board decking left over from an original wood shake roof. Shingles need a solid surface, so we sheath over those boards with plywood or OSB.
- 03
Underlayment matched to pitch
On slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, code calls for two layers of underlayment. We also run self-adhering membrane in valleys and around penetrations, where water concentrates.
- 04
Flashing, drip edge and pipe boots
We install new drip edge at eaves and rakes, step flashing where the roof meets a wall, and fresh boots on plumbing vents. Rubber boots crack in the sun long before the shingles wear out, so we never reuse them.
- 05
Balanced attic ventilation
We compare soffit intake with ridge or roof-vent exhaust and correct the ratio. A balanced attic runs cooler and keeps moisture from condensing on the underside of the deck.
- 06
Shingle repair
If your roof still has years left, we replace blown-off or cracked shingles, reseal lifted tabs and cover exposed nail heads.
Questions about Asphalt Shingle Roofing?
Call(562) 374-8848Signs your shingle roof needs attention
Granules in the gutters
Dark grit in the gutters after a rain means the protective layer is shedding. Once the asphalt is exposed, UV breaks it down quickly.
Curling or cupped edges
Shingle edges that lift or dish upward have lost their oils to heat. They catch wind and let rain drive under the course above.
Missing tabs after a windstorm
Santa Ana gusts pull off shingles whose seal strip never stuck down or has dried out with age. One missing tab leaves nails and underlayment open to sun and rain.
Dark streaks on shaded slopes
Those streaks are usually algae. They are mostly cosmetic, but they show that moisture is staying on the roof surface.
Stains on a ceiling or the attic deck
Water marks often trace back to a cracked pipe boot or failed step flashing, not the shingles. Our Roof Leak Repair page explains how we track those down.
A three-tab roof past 20 years
Many three-tab roofs that old are near the end of their service life, even if they look fine from the street.
How a shingle job runs
- 1
Inspection and written estimate
We walk the roof, check the attic and photograph what we find. You get a free written estimate with tear-off, decking, underlayment, flashing and ventilation listed as separate lines.
- 2
Permit and materials
We pull the reroof permit and order shingles in the color you choose. If California's energy code requires a reflective cool-roof shingle on your home, we tell you before you pick a color.
- 3
Tear-off and deck check
Tarps go over plants and the driveway, and the old roofing goes straight into the dumpster. With the deck exposed, we show you any rot before we replace it. The inspector may check the deck and underlayment at this stage.
- 4
Installation
Underlayment goes down first, then drip edge and flashing, then shingles nailed to the manufacturer's pattern. Ridge cap and vents go on last.
- 5
Cleanup and final inspection
We run magnets over the yard and driveway to pick up nails, clear the gutters and schedule the final inspection.
What moves the price of a shingle roof
We price every shingle roof from measurements and from what we find on the deck, so your written estimate comes after the inspection. These are the items that move the number most. Financing is available through Service Finance Company, subject to credit approval.
- Measured area and slope
- Roofers measure in squares, and one square is a 10-by-10-foot patch of roof. More squares means more shingles, underlayment and labor. A steep slope adds safety setup time, while a shallow one needs that second underlayment layer.
- Layers coming off
- A second or third layer of old roofing adds labor and disposal weight.
- Deck condition
- Rotted sheathing, or plank decking that needs a full plywood overlay, is often the biggest variable. It can only be confirmed once the old roof is off, so we list a per-sheet price in the estimate up front.
- Shingle line and color
- Architectural shingles cost more than three-tab, and cool-roof rated colors can cost more than standard ones.
- Ventilation and flashing changes
- Adding intake vents, cutting in a ridge vent or replacing chimney flashing widens the scope.
Shingle roofing questions
How long does an asphalt shingle roof last?
Architectural shingles commonly last 20 to 30 years. Sun exposure, attic ventilation and the quality of the installation matter more than the number on the bundle wrapper. South- and west-facing slopes usually wear out first.
Can you put new shingles over my old roof?
Code allows a second layer in some cases, but we recommend a tear-off. An overlay hides deck damage and adds weight. New shingles also won't lie flat over curled old ones.
Do I need a permit to reroof in Los Alamitos?
Yes. A reroof needs a building permit, and we pull it as part of the job. We schedule the inspections and are on site when they happen.
Will insurance pay for wind-damaged shingles?
It may, depending on your policy. We work directly with your insurance claim. We photograph the damage and meet the adjuster, but the coverage decision belongs to your insurer. Our Storm Damage Repair page covers the steps.
Can you match my existing shingles on a repair?
Often close, rarely perfect. Manufacturers discontinue colors, and an older roof fades in the sun. We bring samples so you can see the nearest match on your roof before we start.
Find out how much life your shingles have left
We'll check the shingles, the flashing and the attic. Then you get a free written estimate with repair and replacement options side by side.