Wind rating
Rated uplift resistance varies by product and, importantly, by how the shingle is fastened. A high rating installed with the wrong nailing pattern is not a high rating.
The Georgia Default
Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Metro Atlanta
Around four out of five roofs we install are architectural asphalt shingle, and for most Georgia homes that is genuinely the right answer.
Architectural vs Three-Tab
Not all asphalt shingles are the same product
The flat, uniform three-tab shingle that covered American roofs for decades is now the budget option, and in a hail region it is a false economy. It is a single layer, it is lighter, and it bruises and tears at wind speeds that architectural shingles shrug off.
Architectural shingles — also sold as dimensional or laminate — are built from multiple bonded layers. That makes them heavier, considerably more impact resistant, and rated for higher wind uplift. They also look substantially better, because the layering creates shadow lines that read as depth from the street rather than as a flat sheet.
The price gap between the two is smaller than most homeowners expect, and in a part of Georgia that reliably gets hail, it is one of the easier decisions in the whole specification.
What we look at when specifying
Impact rating
Class 3 and Class 4 impact-rated shingles resist hail bruising better. Some insurers discount premiums for Class 4, which is worth asking yours about before you specify.
Color and heat
Lighter blends reflect more solar heat, which matters through a Georgia summer and to the attic below. It is an aesthetic choice with a real energy consequence.
The Parts Underneath
The shingle is the visible half of the system
A shingle roof only performs as well as what sits beneath it, and this is where quotes quietly differ from each other far more than they differ on the shingle brand.
Underlayment covers the whole deck as a secondary barrier. Ice and water shield — a self-adhering membrane — goes at the vulnerable transitions: valleys, around penetrations, and along eaves. Drip edge at the perimeter directs water into the gutter instead of behind it. New pipe boots replace the old rubber collars that would otherwise be the first thing to fail on your new roof.
Ventilation gets assessed at the same time. An under-ventilated attic bakes shingles from beneath and can take years off a roof rated for decades, which is a specification failure rather than a product one.
When you compare quotes, compare these. Two prices that look very different often turn out to be prices for different jobs.
Choosing A Color
Color is a longer commitment than it feels
You will look at this roof for a couple of decades, so it is worth more than five minutes with a sample board. Two practical points get overlooked.
First, samples lie about scale. A six-inch swatch of a blended shingle reads as a single color in your hand and as a mottled texture across an entire roof. Ask to see a photograph of a completed roof in that blend, ideally at a distance, rather than deciding from the sample alone.
Second, lighter blends reflect more solar heat. In a Georgia summer that has a genuine effect on attic temperature and on what your air conditioning has to work against. Very dark roofs look excellent on the right house and cost slightly more to live under.
If you are in a neighborhood with an active HOA, check the approved color list before you fall in love with something. It is a short conversation in advance and an expensive one afterwards.
Common questions
How long will an asphalt shingle roof last?
Architectural shingles are generally rated between 25 and 30 years. In practice, Georgia heat, attic ventilation and hail exposure all move that number, in both directions.
What does the manufacturer warranty cover?
Materials, on the manufacturer's terms, and those terms often depend on correct installation. Our workmanship warranty covers the installation itself for as long as you own the home.
Can you install over my existing roof?
It is sometimes permitted, and we generally advise against it. Layering over hides the condition of the decking, adds weight, and traps heat that shortens the life of the new shingles.
Will a Class 4 shingle lower my insurance?
Some carriers offer a discount for impact-rated roofing. Ask your insurer directly before specifying, since the answer varies by carrier and policy.
Do I need to remove the old roof first?
We strongly recommend it. Tearing off is the only way to inspect the decking, and anything hidden under the old shingles stays hidden for the life of the new roof.
How many shingle layers can a roof have?
Building codes commonly permit two, but permitted and advisable are different things. A second layer traps heat, adds weight and conceals the deck condition entirely.
What is the ridge vent for?
It lets hot air escape at the peak of the roof, which stops your attic cooking the shingles from beneath. Ventilation has a direct and often underestimated effect on how long an asphalt roof lasts in Georgia.
Get a free roof inspection
Storm damage isn’t always visible from the ground. We’ll document what we find, walk you through the report, and tell you honestly whether you need a repair, a replacement, or nothing at all.