Shingle Roofs
Crew re-roofing a two-story home
Baltimore area
Roofing crew working across the main and lower roofs of a two-story home. Parts of the roof are down to underlayment, and the front porch roof shows bare wood decking.
Free, photo-documented inspections
Asphalt shingles hold up well in Maryland when the whole roof system under them is installed correctly. BRC Construction repairs and replaces shingle roofs with the underlayment, flashing, ventilation and nailing details that keep shingles in place through wind, heat and ice.
A lot of shingle roof trouble comes from installation details rather than the shingles themselves: nails set too high, missing starter strips, weak flashing at walls and chimneys, or an attic with no real ventilation. A shingle roof is a system, and every layer has a job.
We install architectural shingles, also called dimensional shingles. They are laminated in layers, so they are thicker than older flat 3-tab shingles and give the roof more depth. Under them go synthetic underlayment, ice & water shield at the eaves, valleys and penetrations, and metal drip edge along the edges. At the peak, a ridge vent paired with soffit vents lets hot, damp air out of the attic.
For repairs, we replace wind-damaged, cracked or missing shingles, re-flash problem areas and swap out worn pipe boots. BRC Construction is a GAF Certified contractor led by owner Anthony Hill, who brings 30+ years of roofing experience. Every shingle project starts with a free, photo-documented inspection.
Warning signs
Signs of shingle roof trouble
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Curling or cupped shingles
Edges that turn up or centers that sink usually mean aging shingles or heat trapped in a poorly ventilated attic.
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Granule loss
Dark bald patches, and granules piling up at the bottom of downspouts, mean shingles are losing their protective surface.
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Creased or missing tabs
Wind can lift shingles and break their seal. A crease line across a shingle often comes before it blows off.
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Black streaks or moss
Streaks are usually algae that thrives in humid Maryland summers. Moss holds moisture against the roof and lifts shingle edges.
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Nail pops
Nails backing out push up through the shingles above them and open holes that let water reach the decking.
Scope of work
What’s included
- Free, photo-documented inspection of shingles, flashing and attic ventilation
- Replacement of wind-damaged, cracked and missing shingles
- Full tear-off and replacement with architectural shingles
- Synthetic underlayment, ice & water shield and drip edge
- Step flashing, chimney counterflashing and new pipe boots
- Ridge vents with hip and ridge cap shingles
Materials
Parts of a shingle roof system
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Architectural shingles
Thicker, dimensional shingles that stand up to wind better than older 3-tab styles, with a wide range of colors.
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Starter strips
Pre-cut strips along the eaves and rakes that seal down the first course so wind can’t get under the roof edge.
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Synthetic underlayment
A tough, water-resistant layer over the decking that stays flat and holds up better than felt if it gets rained on during the job.
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Ice & water shield
Self-adhered membrane at the eaves, in valleys and around chimneys and vents, where ice dams and wind-driven rain hit hardest.
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Ridge vents and cap shingles
A ridge vent lets attic heat and moisture escape, and thick cap shingles finish the hips and ridges over it.
Our process
How we work on shingle roofs
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Inspect and photograph
We check the shingles, flashing, valleys, vents and attic, then show you photos of what we found.
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Repair or replace
We explain your options and give you a free estimate for the work that fits the roof’s condition.
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Install it right
Starter strips at the eaves and rakes, shingles nailed in the manufacturer’s nailing zone, carefully detailed valleys and flashing, and ridge caps to finish the peak.
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Clean up and walk through
We clear debris and nails from the yard and gutters and review the finished roof with you.
Local know-how
What to know around Baltimore
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Baltimore County homes
Colonials, split-levels and ranchers in Pikesville, Owings Mills, Randallstown, Towson and across the county often have shingle roofs with dormers, porch roofs and additions that need careful flashing where they meet.
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Maryland heat, cold and wind
Summer heat ages shingles faster over a hot attic, freeze-thaw cycles work on flashing and nail holes, and gusts from thunderstorms and nor’easters test every shingle seal.
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Permits
Baltimore County may require a building permit for larger roofing jobs, such as replacing a large share of the roof deck. We check before work starts.
Based in Pikesville, serving Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Howard County.
See the areas we serveYour estimate
What affects the cost
Every project is different, so we don’t list prices online. We look at the job first and give you a free estimate based on what we find.
- Repair or full replacement
- Roof size, pitch and the number of valleys, dormers and hips
- Old shingle layers to remove and decking to replace
- The shingle line and color you choose
- Flashing, ventilation and pipe boot work
Our work
Project photos
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Gutters & Siding
Shingle roof edge with snow guard and gutter
Baltimore area
Brown architectural shingles with a rail-style snow guard near the eave and a brown gutter running along the roof edge, above a lower flat roof.
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Shingle Roofs
Shingles going on course by course
Baltimore area
Gray architectural shingles being nailed over synthetic underlayment. A roofing nailer, work gloves and a hammer sit on the new rows, with a ladder at the gutter line.
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Shingle Roofs
New shingles over synthetic underlayment
Baltimore area
Brown architectural shingles going on over gray synthetic underlayment, with shingle bundles staged along the ridge and a roofer working at the edge of the lower roof.
FAQ
Shingle roofing questions
Should I choose architectural or 3-tab shingles?
For most homes we recommend architectural shingles. They are thicker, handle wind better and give the roof more depth than flat 3-tab shingles.
Can you replace just a few shingles?
Yes. If the rest of the roof is in good shape, we replace the damaged shingles and seal them in. Older shingles fade, so new ones may not match exactly.
What causes black streaks on my roof?
Usually algae, which grows in humid weather and shows up most on shaded slopes. The streaks are mostly cosmetic, but moss and packed debris hold moisture and should be cleared.
Why does attic ventilation matter for shingles?
A hot, poorly vented attic bakes shingles from below in summer and traps moisture in winter, which leads to curling, mold and ice dams. Balanced soffit and ridge vents help the roof last.
Are you a GAF Certified contractor?
Yes. BRC Construction is a GAF Certified contractor, and we’re licensed and insured in Maryland under MHIC No. 92337.
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Related services
Need a roofer you can trust?
Book a free, no-pressure roof inspection. We’ll show you photos of everything we find.
- MHIC No. 92337
- Licensed & insured
- GAF Certified contractor