Asphalt shingles
Asphalt Shingle Roofs in Bethlehem, PA
Curling edges, bare patches, grit in the gutters? Call and speak with an independent contractor that replaces shingle roofs in the Bethlehem area.
The roof on most Lehigh Valley houses
Asphalt shingles cover most of the houses built in and around Bethlehem since the middle of the last century, and many older houses that lost their slate along the way. They suit most slopes, cost less up front than slate or metal and go on quickly.
Nearly every replacement now uses architectural (laminated) shingles rather than flat three-tab ones. They are thicker, hide an uneven deck better and come with longer warranties. What decides how long the roof lasts, though, is what goes under and around them: ice protection, flashing and an attic that can breathe.
Checklist
Choices that matter on a shingle roof
- Shingle line and color, and whether the warranty depends on using the maker's own underlayment and ridge products
- Ice-and-water membrane at the eaves, valleys and around chimneys
- Ridge vent and soffit intake, balanced so the attic stays cold in winter
- New step and counter flashing where the roof meets brick
- Algae-resistant granules if the roof is shaded by trees
- Starter strip and drip edge at every edge
Shade, leaves and freeze-thaw
Big maples and oaks keep many Bethlehem streets shady, which slows drying and invites moss and algae on north-facing slopes. Gutters packed with leaves hold water at the eave, and in winter that water freezes.
Freeze-thaw cycles open small faults quickly, so a shingle roof that looked fine in autumn can leak by March. When the wear is spread across the whole roof rather than in one spot, replacing it is usually the better spend.
Questions
Asphalt Shingle Roofs: what people ask
How do I know a shingle roof needs replacing?
Curled or cracked shingles across the roof, bare spots where the granules are gone, granules piling up in gutters, repeated leaks and daylight or damp boards in the attic. Age matters too. A contractor can tell you whether a repair still makes sense.
Are architectural shingles worth it over three-tab?
Most homeowners choose them now: they are heavier, handle wind better and carry longer warranties. Three-tab shingles are uncommon on replacements.
What causes the dark streaks on shingles?
Usually algae, which thrives on shaded, damp roofs. It is mostly cosmetic. Algae-resistant shingles help on a new roof; on an old one, avoid pressure washing, which strips the granules.
More services
Other roof services
- Roof ReplacementThe old roof comes off, the deck is checked and the new roof goes on, start to finish.
- New Roofs & AdditionsAdditions, new homes and enclosed porches: framed, sheathed and tied into the old roof.
- Slate RoofsOld slate at the end of its life: new slate, synthetic slate, or shingles where the rules allow.
- Metal RoofsStanding seam on houses, porches and farmhouses; snow behavior and noise explained.
- Low-Slope & Rowhome RoofsRowhome rears, porches and additions: membranes, drains and parapet flashing.
- Ice, Snow & New RoofsIce dams and icicles: what to build into a replacement so they stop.
Ready to replace the roof?
Talk to a roofing contractor who works in Bethlehem
One call connects you with an independent roofing contractor serving Bethlehem, Easton, Bethlehem Township, Hellertown and Lower Saucon. Ask for an inspection and a written price for the new roof.
Replacing the roof? Talk it through with a local contractor.
Your call goes to an independent roofing contractor that takes replacement work in the Bethlehem area.
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