Our homes have a first line of defense against the elements. IF and WHEN it starts showing signs of age—like curling shingles, missing it’s surface granules, or God forbid it starts to have leaks—it’s time for a replacement ASAP!
Historically people have put in 20 or 30 year shingles, however today there are new products on the market that are rated for 40-years. They are typically architectural shingles to not only extend your roof’s lifespan but also boost curb appeal and energy efficiency (not all one color). For our house, we knew that when we bought it, a new roof was going to be in play within 5 years. Well, we started to have a couple of signs that there were problems, so we didn’t hesitate to act. This was the spring of 2024.
I called up a couple of contractors. We had bids and found a good enough deal with also ensuring we would have better protection from the storms and also TREE limbs.
Why Choose 40-Year Architectural Shingles?
Unlike the basic 3-tab shingles (rated for 20–25 years), 40-year architectural shingles are: Thicker and more durable with laminated layers that resist wind, hail, and UV damage.
- Aesthetically superior – Mimic the look of wood shakes or slate.
- Warranty-backed – Most come with 40-year limited warranties (and lifetime options for the original owner).
- Energy-efficient – Reflective granules can lower cooling costs.
Pro Tip: Look for shingles with Class A fire ratings and 130+ mph wind resistance for maximum protection.
Our Old Shingles On Our Main Roof And Carport
The old shingles were also starting to show streaks of mildew and also growing moss. In North Carolina, if you are near any water or even just in a wooded area as shingles get older, they will start to grow mold, mildew, and moss on them. Most shingles are treated to normally deal with this issue. However, after about 20 years that treatment no longer works. New shingles have various methods to combat this problem, so we will have to see many years down the road to see what happens.
Cost For 40-Year Shingles (Average 2,000 sq ft Roof)
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 40-Year Shingles | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Underlayment & Ice/Water Shield | $800 – $1,500 |
| Flashing, Vents, Drip Edge | $500 – $1,200 |
| Labor | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Total | $11,300 – $19,700 |
Prices vary by region, roof pitch, and accessibility. Permits & HOA
- Check local building codes.
- Secure permits (usually $200–$500).
- Get HOA approval if applicable.
Our Project (Main House 2500 Sq Feet And Carport At 1560 Sq Feet)
Looking at the picture, you will notice several things. It is lumpy (one of the first signs of why I said to my wife, “Hey, I am concerned that we could have some leaks. Time for a new roof”). You can see that the shingles are starting to not stick together any longer. Finally, you could tell it just no longer looked uniform. Slick areas, missing texture – so a sign they were breaking down. Keep in mind these were 3 tab shingles (which means a long leading solid rectangle, with 3 tabs that are not connected to each other on a leading edge. It give the appearance of a “Single Shingle” but they are not strong nor as thick as new solid rectangle 40 year shingles.
When Replacing A Roof – Some Ideas To Think About
Underlayment: Our contractor used BearWrap. The main difference from their brochure below, and tar paper is that it will absorb impacts and roofing nails will be sealed by these new “modern” roof underlayments.
BearWrap Roof Underlayment™ – SILVER is a four-layer, non-warping,
non-cracking roof underlayment manufactured to meet the most challenging
applications. Designed with steep-slop applications in mind, BearWrap Roof
Underlayment’s unique two surface anti-slip coating provides unparalleled
traction.
Remove OLD Vents And Replace With Ridge Venting
Our old roof had an thermostatically triggered electric attic fan. It was old and loud, plus it rarely turn on so the attic was always hot. Also it was on just one side of the roof and not really able to service the entire attic. I found out later too, there were squirrels getting into the attic. Another good reason to inspect and make sure you take care of issues where rodents can get into your house.
To help with the heat in the attic, we added ridge venting across the entire roof.
Ice / Water Shield
IF you have high “traffic” areas on your roof surface that will potentially have tree impacts and or capture a large portion of water flow, it is a good idea to add what is known as a water shield. It is just simple, good insurance to protect those high traffic water areas. We had several on our roof and I sleep better at night knowing it was / is done. Think of it as a thick rubber with glue on one side, easy to apply and add under the shingles as an alternate underlayment.
Inspect And Replace Roof
You can’t install premium 40-year architectural shingles on a rotten or wavy deck and expect them to last. The plywood (or OSB) sheathing is the structural backbone that transfers wind, snow, and foot traffic into your home’s framing. Don’t skip the deck inspection or repair, and your warranty will be worthless. We had several areas that required repair.
Completion Of New Roof Installation
The Car Port To Match
I was struggling with the overall cost, we try to pay cash for EVERYTHING we do on our house. We save, and then address a problem vs. getting a home loan. SO it became painfully obvious that while we didn’t initially (even thought we knew it needed to be replaced consider replacement of the roof on the car port due to cost. However, since the contractor was at our house, had enough materials to add the carport, it was worth the extra $5,000 to take care of it.
With the finished job, we were really glad we went ahead and spent the additional cash.
Last couple of notes: Make sure to check for contractors that have good reviews. In our area of the Triad in North Carolina, we have a good group of workers. Check out these guys over at Roofing Brothers. They don’t even have to come to your house for an estimate. They use satellite technology to measure your square footage and are able to give you a remote quote. OR they will stop by. Pretty neat to get a quick idea of the costs and options.
We ended up spending a little over $15,000 on this project, we added in the couple of options of the Ice/Water dam and upgraded to the 40 year shingles. They did a great job and we couldn’t be happier.
Until next time.
