Asphalt shingle roofing in Long Beach, CA

Asphalt shingles cover more Long Beach homes than any other material. They cost less than tile or metal, go on quickly and come in a wide range of colors. A well-installed shingle roof handles our rain, sun and coastal wind without trouble.

The difference between a shingle roof that ages well and one that leaks early is in the details: the underlayment, the flashings, the nailing and the ventilation. Our crews pay attention to every layer under the shingles, not just the part you can see.

Three-tab, architectural and designer shingles

Three-tab shingles are flat and thin, with one layer of material. They are less common now. Architectural shingles have two or more laminated layers, which gives them a dimensional look, more weight and better wind resistance. They are what most homeowners choose today.

Designer or luxury shingles are thicker still and copy the look of slate or shake. They cost more but can suit a Tudor cottage or a home where curb appeal matters. Material warranties vary by product and manufacturer.

• Three-tab: lowest cost, flat look
• Architectural: dimensional, the common choice
• Designer: heavy, shake or slate look
• Cool-rated: reflective granules that lower roof heat

The layers under the shingles

A shingle roof is a system. We start with new drip edge at the eaves and rakes, then synthetic underlayment across the deck, with extra protection in valleys and along low edges. Starter strip goes at the eaves so the first course seals down properly.

Every pipe gets a new jack, every wall gets new step flashing, and ridge vents or roof vents are sized for the attic. We hand-check nail placement, because nails driven too high or at an angle are a common cause of shingles lifting in Santa Ana winds.

How shingles hold up in sun and salt air

Strong UV is the main thing that ages a shingle roof in Long Beach. Granules wear off, the asphalt dries out and the shingles crack. South- and west-facing slopes age first. Lighter colors and cool-rated shingles run cooler and can slow that wear.

Near the coast, salt air corrodes cheap metal vents and nails. We use corrosion-resistant fasteners and flashings on homes close to the water, and we pick vent materials that will not rust out before the shingles do.

Shingle mistakes we fix on other roofs

Many of the shingle leaks we are called to are not caused by old shingles at all. They come from shortcuts during the last re-roof: old step flashing reused at a wall, no drip edge at the eaves, nails placed in the wrong spot or a valley cut too close. Those mistakes show up in the first heavy rain or the first strong wind.

On a new roof we avoid them by following the shingle maker's installation instructions on every course. When we tear off, we photograph what we find underneath so you can see why certain boards or flashings had to be replaced.

• Reused or missing step flashing at sidewalls
• Shingles laid over a second layer with no tear-off
• Exposed nail heads at ridge caps
• Too few roof vents for the attic size

When to call about asphalt shingle roofing

Shingle roofs across Long Beach neighborhoods

Shingles are the standard roof on the post-war ranch tracts of Los Altos, the Plaza, Lakewood Village and North Long Beach, and on many Craftsman bungalows in California Heights and Wrigley. Many of these homes are on a shingle roof put on in the 1990s or 2000s that is now brittle and losing granules.

A shingle re-roof in Long Beach needs a city building permit. Depending on roof slope and climate zone, Title 24 may call for a cool-rated shingle, so we check what applies before ordering. In historic districts, a dark or traditional color may be favored, and we can help you pick one that fits.