Asphalt Shingle Roofing Built for Midwest and New England Weather
Asphalt shingles cover more American homes than any other roofing material. Two houses on the same street can carry the identical shingle and age at completely different rates.
What separates them is invisible from the driveway. Attic ventilation, nail placement, flashing detail and the condition of the deck underneath decide whether a roof reaches the end of its rated life or gives out a decade early.
At Vault Roofing we install premium asphalt systems using certified product backed by a lifetime warranty. Every layer is treated as part of one system, from material selection through ventilation layout to ridge cap alignment.
CONSIDER IT COVERED.
Architectural Shingles and Three-Tab Shingles
Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles, also called laminated or dimensional, are made from two or more layers bonded together. The added thickness creates a shadow line that reads like slate or wood shake from the street. It also puts more material around every fastener, which is where wind damage usually begins.
Most architectural lines carry higher wind ratings and longer manufacturer coverage than three-tab. Almost every roof we install across the Midwest and New England uses an architectural product.
Three-Tab Shingles
Three-tab shingles are a single flat layer with cutouts that form the tab pattern. They weigh less, cost less, and give a uniform look that suits some older homes and outbuildings.
The thinner build gives up ground in a storm. Less material at the nail line leaves less resistance to lift along the edges, and the warranty term is typically shorter.
We bring real samples to your inspection and walk you through the color and profile options that match your home’s exterior.
Wind Ratings and Impact Ratings, in Plain Terms
Shingle wrappers carry test classifications. Reading them correctly is worth a few minutes before you choose a product.
Wind resistance is tested to ASTM standards and reported as a speed. Under ASTM D7158, Class D covers 90 mph, Class G covers 120 mph, and Class H covers 150 mph. The older ASTM D3161 method reports Class F at 110 mph. Those figures come from a laboratory. On your house the rating only holds when the shingle is fastened exactly as the manufacturer specifies, which often calls for a higher nail count at the top wind figure.
Impact resistance is a separate classification under UL 2218, running from Class 1 to Class 4. Class 4 is the highest available and describes a shingle that withstood repeated strikes from a two-inch steel ball dropped from twenty feet. Impact-rated products earn their keep in hail-prone markets. Some insurance carriers offer a premium credit for them, which is worth a phone call before you select a shingle.
What Actually Decides How Long a Shingle Roof Lasts
The manufacturer’s warranty describes the product. The install decides the lifespan.
Attic Ventilation
Warm, damp air trapped under the deck cooks asphalt from below. Shingles cup, curl and shed granules years ahead of schedule, and from the ground the failure looks identical to sun damage. Balanced intake at the soffit paired with exhaust at the ridge holds deck temperature and moisture in a workable range. We review ventilation on every inspection and correct it during replacement when the existing setup falls short.
Fastening and Nail Placement
A nail driven high misses the double-thickness nailing zone and grips only one layer. A nail driven at an angle or overdriven cuts into the mat. Either mistake leaves the shingle free to lift in a gust, and the wind rating on the wrapper stops applying. Our crews fasten to manufacturer specification on every course.
Flashing and Transitions
Water finds the joints first. Chimneys, sidewalls, valleys, skylights and pipe boots are where moisture gets in on roofs whose field shingles are still in good shape. Every transition on a Vault install gets proper flashing and integrated ice and water shield.
A Full Tear-Off and a Sound Deck
We always recommend a full tear-off. Pulling the old roof lets us inspect the decking and replace soft or rotted sheathing before the new system goes down. Installing over old shingles hides the deck, traps moisture, and shortens the life of the roof on top.
How Asphalt Handles Snow Load and Freeze-Thaw
Across our markets, from Boston and Providence to Detroit, Milwaukee and Madison, winter is the hardest season a roof faces.
Snow load is rarely a shingle problem. The weight is carried by the structure and the deck, and the steep pitches common on New England and Midwest homes shed accumulation on their own. Trouble starts when melting snow refreezes at the cold eave and forms an ice dam. Water then backs up under the shingle courses and reaches the deck.
Freeze-thaw cycling works on the material itself. Asphalt expands and contracts with every temperature swing, which loosens fasteners and opens sealant lines over the years. Sealed laminated shingles absorb that movement better than thin flat ones.
Ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys blocks backed-up meltwater before it reaches the sheathing. A balanced attic keeps the deck close to outdoor temperature, which lets snow melt evenly across the slope instead of refreezing at the edge.
The Shingles We Install
We install products from Owens Corning, one of the industry’s most trusted shingle manufacturers, and we hold Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor status. All shingles are installed per manufacturer specification by certified crews.
Your roof carries coverage on the install and coverage on the material. Our fully transferable lifetime workmanship warranty covers the work. The Owens Corning product warranty covers the shingle itself.
Transferability matters at resale. The workmanship coverage moves with the house to the next owner.
Where Asphalt Fits With the Rest of Your Roof
A shingle is one component of a system that also includes underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing, ventilation and gutters. We install and replace all of it.
If your current roof is at the end of its life, a full replacement is the practical next step. Our roof replacement page covers tear-off, project timeline, and what to expect while our crew is on site.
Why Choose Us for Your Asphalt Roofing Project
You get expert guidance, clean job sites, and daily project updates from a team that has built its reputation on precision.
- Complete tear-offs, replacements and repairs
- Integrated ice and water shield, flashing and ventilation
- Color options to match any exterior style
- Daily updates and a final walkthrough on every job
- A fully transferable lifetime workmanship warranty
About Vault Roofing
Craftsmanship you can feel confident in.
Vault Roofing serves homeowners across New England, the Midwest, and the Carolinas with roof and gutter solutions designed to perform through every season. We are built around thoughtful work, clear guidance, and long-term value.
Our focus is simple. Do the work right the first time. Communicate clearly. Stand behind what we install long after the crew has packed up.
Hear From Homeowners Like You
Discover what real homeowners are saying about their experience with us. From start to finish, our team is committed to delivering quality, reliability, and results you can trust.
Asphalt Shingle FAQs
How long does an asphalt shingle roof typically last?
With professional installation and proper ventilation, modern asphalt shingle roofs can last 20 to 30 years. Ventilation and fastening quality move that number more than the brand on the wrapper does.
What is the difference between architectural and three-tab shingles?
Architectural shingles are laminated from two or more layers, giving a dimensional look, higher wind ratings, and longer manufacturer coverage. Three-tab shingles are a single flat layer that costs less and carries a shorter warranty term.
What wind rating should I look for?
Homes across our markets are well served by an architectural shingle rated Class G or Class H under ASTM D7158, covering 120 mph and 150 mph. Every rating depends on installation to manufacturer specification, including nail count and placement.
Do you remove the old roof or install over it?
We always recommend a full tear-off to inspect the decking underneath and ensure a proper foundation. Installing over old shingles can trap moisture and shorten your roof’s lifespan.
Will asphalt hold up under heavy snow and ice?
Yes. Snow weight is carried by the structure and the deck. The winter concern for shingles is ice damming at the eaves, which we address with ice and water shield and balanced attic ventilation.
Is the warranty transferable if I sell my home?
Yes. Our lifetime workmanship warranty is fully transferable, and it pairs with the Owens Corning product warranty on the material.
Any additional questions?
Any additional questions? We are here to help, with zero pressure.
Serving Homeowners In These Areas
Vault Roofing serves homeowners in the following cities and the surrounding communities:
If your city is not listed, reach out to our team. We are happy to confirm coverage and walk you through the next steps.
