Is it time to replace your shingle roof?
- Shingles curling, cupping or clawing at the edges
- Bald spots where granules have worn away, with granules piling up in gutters
- Cracked or brittle shingles that break when lifted
- Repeated leaks or a growing number of repairs
- Moss or algae streaks with underlying shingle deterioration
- Daylight or moisture staining in the attic
Asphalt shingle lifespan varies with product, ventilation, sun exposure and installation quality. Rather than rely on age alone, we inspect and tell you how much useful life remains.
Architectural vs. 3-tab shingles
| Feature | Architectural (dimensional) | 3-tab |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Layered, textured look with shadow lines | Flat, uniform look |
| Construction | Two or more laminated layers, heavier | Single layer, lighter |
| Wind ratings | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Availability | Industry standard for re-roofing today | Increasingly limited |
Most of our shingle replacements use architectural shingles. In historic districts, the Historic Preservation Commission reviews material changes visible from the street. In 2024 its staff recommended approving architectural shingles replacing 3-tab on a contributing house in the Chevy Chase Village Historic District, but each application is reviewed individually.
Our shingle replacement process
- Protect landscaping, siding, windows and driveway
- Tear off all shingles and underlayment to the deck
- Replace any rotted or delaminated sheathing (itemized, with photos)
- Install drip edge, ice-and-water membrane at eaves and valleys, and synthetic underlayment
- Install new step flashing, counter-flashing, pipe boots and vents
- Install shingles following the manufacturer's nailing and exposure specifications
- Install ridge vent with soffit intake for balanced ventilation
- Clean up, sweep for nails with a magnet, and do a final walkthrough
- Roof deck: plywood or OSB sheathing on the rafters. Soft or rotted sections are replaced during tear-off.
- Drip edge: metal edge that steers water off the deck and into the gutter.
- Ice-and-water membrane: self-adhered waterproofing at the eaves (and valleys) where ice dams and wind-driven rain get in.
- Synthetic underlayment: secondary water barrier over the rest of the deck, lapped over the membrane.
- Architectural shingles: installed to the manufacturer’s nailing and exposure specifications so the warranty stays valid.
- Ridge vent: lets warm, moist attic air escape at the peak.
- Soffit vents: let outside air into the attic under the eaves.
- Attic airflow: balanced intake and exhaust keeps the deck cool and dry, extending shingle life and reducing ice dams.
Built for local winters and storms
Deep, lasting snow is a real test for shingle roofs here. The January 2016 blizzard dropped 38.5 inches near Potomac and 35.2 inches near Gaithersburg, according to the National Weather Service. Snow like that, followed by freeze-thaw cycles, is what drives ice dams. Self-adhered membrane at the eaves and proper attic ventilation are the two best roof-level defenses, and both are standard in our replacements.
A new roof is also the right moment to update gutters and replace aging skylights, so they are flashed into the new shingles rather than patched in later.
- Heat escapes into the attic through thin insulation and air leaks around lights, hatches and ducts.
- The warm roof deck melts snow from below, even when outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
- Meltwater runs down the roof under the blanket of snow.
- It refreezes over the cold eave, which sits outside the heated house, building a ridge of ice: the ice dam.
- Water pools behind the dam and backs up under the shingles, which are designed to shed water, not hold it back.
- Water leaks into walls and ceilings, often showing up as stains along exterior walls in late winter.
- The fix: attic air sealing, insulation and ventilation stop the melting, and self-adhered ice-and-water membrane at the eaves stops backed-up water from getting in.
Specification details that matter in this climate
Most replacement quotes homeowners compare differ far less in the shingle than in everything underneath it, and in a climate with humid summers and genuine freeze-thaw winters, the underneath is what determines whether the roof reaches its rated life. The January 2016 blizzard dropped snow measured in feet across the region, and roofs here see that kind of load and the long thaw that follows. The details that matter are a self-adhered ice barrier at the eaves and in the valleys where meltwater backs up, a balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation path actually sized to the attic rather than a single box vent, drip edge on every edge, synthetic underlayment over the full deck, properly built valleys, and kick-out flashing wherever a roof plane meets a wall above a lower roof. We put all of that on the proposal in writing so you can compare it against anyone else's.
Two product choices are genuinely worth paying for in this area. Algae-resistant shingles with copper-bearing granules keep the dark streaking off shaded north slopes under the tree canopy, which is where it always starts here. Impact-rated shingles make sense on properties with large limbs overhead, and some carriers discount for them. Beyond that, the upgrade that pays is attention to the flashing and the ventilation rather than a thicker shingle. If your current roof has had recurring repairs at the same chimney or sidewall, point us at it so the rebuild is part of the scope rather than a surprise; a prior roof inspection or recent shingle roof repair history is useful here.
Approvals are the piece that most often delays a local project, so start them early. Many Bethesda and North Bethesda subdivisions and townhouse communities require architectural committee approval of shingle color and profile, which means ordering physical samples and allowing review time. In the Chevy Chase Village Historic District, roofing materials are subject to scrutiny when they are visible from the public right-of-way, and a material change generally goes through the county's historic work permit process. We supply the manufacturer data, photographs and specifications those applications need. Because access is already set up and the roof edge is open, replacement is also the most economical moment for new gutters, for skylight replacement and for any low-slope section that needs its own membrane, which is handled as part of a whole-house roof replacement plan.
Shingle Roof Replacement across Bethesda, North Bethesda and Chevy Chase
We provide shingle roof replacement throughout southern Montgomery County, including Bethesda, MD (20814, 20816, 20817) , North Bethesda, MD (20852) , and Chevy Chase, MD (20815) . Each area page covers the housing types, permit considerations and storm history particular to that community.
Recent Montgomery County storms
These recorded events show the kinds of weather local roofs need to withstand. See the full Montgomery County storm history.
January 22–23, 2016 Blizzard
The National Weather Service recorded 38.5 inches of snow near Potomac, the highest total reported in Maryland, and 35.2 inches near Gaithersburg.
Roof takeaway: Snow loads that deep stress older framing and low-slope roofs. Melt and refreeze cycles afterward build ice dams at the eaves, pushing water under shingles and into ceilings.
February 2010 "Snowmageddon"
More than 24 inches of snow fell on the Bethesda and Chevy Chase area, according to National Weather Service totals reported by Bethesda Magazine.
Roof takeaway: Deep, long-lasting snow cover is the classic setup for ice dams and gutter damage. Gutters loaded with ice can pull away from fascia boards.
Source: Bethesda Magazine
Frequently asked questions
How long do asphalt shingle roofs last?
It varies widely with shingle quality, attic ventilation, sun exposure, tree cover and installation. Manufacturer warranty terms are not a prediction of lifespan. An inspection is the best way to judge how much life your roof has left.
Do you offer manufacturer warranties?
Every shingle carries the manufacturer’s product warranty when installed to its specifications. Enhanced system warranties depend on the manufacturer and contractor certification. Your estimate states exactly which warranties apply.
What shingle colors work in historic Chevy Chase?
Inside the Chevy Chase Village Historic District, roofing visible from the street is reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission. We help you choose a profile and color likely to fit the house and the district, and provide product data for your Historic Area Work Permit application.