Terra Nova Roofing & ConstructionAsphalt Shingle Roof Replacement in NJ — Architectural, 3-Tab & Designer Shingles
Most North Jersey homes have an asphalt shingle roof — and most of them get replaced with one. Terra Nova Roofing & Construction tears the old roof off to the deck, fixes the wood, and builds a complete shingle system: ice & water barrier, synthetic underlayment, flashing, ventilation and shingles installed to manufacturer specs.
Licensed & insured • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700 • Locally owned in Garfield, NJ • Free written estimates with photos • Hablamos español
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What does an asphalt shingle roof replacement in NJ include?
An asphalt shingle roof replacement from Terra Nova Roofing & Construction in North Jersey is a full tear-off to the deck, wood repairs, ice & water barrier at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, new drip edge and flashing, balanced ventilation and new shingles installed to manufacturer specs. Most homes take 1–3 days. The inspection and written estimate with photos are free. NJ Lic. #13VH13824700. Call or text 973-200-1617.
Asphalt shingle roof replacement at a glance
The short version of how Terra Nova replaces a shingle roof in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, Hudson and Union County:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long it takes | 1–3 days for most homes; large, steep or cut-up roofs take longer |
| Old shingles | Torn off to the wood deck — no second layer over the first |
| Deck | Inspected once exposed; soft or rotted wood replaced (priced as an extra, shown to you in photos) |
| Leak protection | Ice & water barrier at the eaves, valleys and around penetrations; synthetic underlayment across the rest |
| Metal and flashing | New drip edge, step and counter flashing at walls and chimneys, new pipe boots |
| Ventilation | Intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge, balanced for your attic |
| Shingles | Installed to the manufacturer's specs; manufacturer warranty registered where it applies |
| Cleanup | Daily cleanup, magnet sweep for nails, final walkthrough with you |
| Price | Exact written price after a free inspection with photos; financing available |
| License | Licensed & insured, NJ Lic. #13VH13824700 |
For the whole process across every roof type, see roof replacement in New Jersey and the roof replacement process.
Architectural vs. 3-tab vs. designer shingles: which should you choose?
Terra Nova installs all three — 3-tab, architectural and designer shingles — and synthetic underlayment is standard on every replacement. For most North Jersey homes, architectural shingles are the practical choice: thicker and more wind-resistant than 3-tab, and far less costly than designer shingles. Here is how the three compare:
| 3-tab shingles | Architectural (dimensional) shingles | Designer (luxury) shingles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What they look like | Flat, single layer, uniform rectangular tabs | Two or more laminated layers; shadow lines give a textured look | Extra-thick layers cut to imitate slate or wood shake |
| Weight and thickness | Lightest and thinnest | Heavier, thicker | Heaviest of the three |
| Wind resistance | Lowest of the three; tabs can lift and crease | Higher wind ratings than 3-tab | Generally the highest |
| Cost compared | Lowest material cost | Middle — the most common choice | Highest material and labor cost |
| Where we see them | Older roofs, sheds, garages | Most capes, colonials, split-levels and two-families | Larger homes where the look matters most |
| What we tell homeowners | Being phased out in many product lines | The default for a new roof | Worth it if you want a slate or shake look without slate or shake |
Your estimate lists the exact shingle line and color, so you are comparing like with like. Starter shingles at the eaves and matching ridge cap shingles are part of every system. If your house has real slate or cedar, we'll tell you honestly if it needs a specialist.
What's included in a new shingle roof, layer by layer?
A shingle roof is a system: the shingles are only the top layer. These are the parts Terra Nova installs on every shingle replacement, and why each one matters:
Tear-off to the deck
Removing every old layer lets us see the wood, nail into solid deck and lay the new roof flat. A layover hides rot and adds weight. See new roof over an old roof.
Deck repairs
Soft, delaminated or rotted plywood and boards are cut out and replaced so nails hold and the roof doesn't sag.
Ice & water barrier
A self-sealing membrane at the eaves, valleys and around chimneys and pipes stops ice-dam backup and wind-driven rain.
Synthetic underlayment
A tear-resistant layer over the rest of the deck, the backup if water ever gets under a shingle.
Drip edge and starter course
Metal at the eaves and rakes sends water into the gutter, and starter shingles seal the first row against wind uplift.
Flashing and pipe boots
New step and counter flashing where the roof meets walls and chimneys, and new boots on plumbing vents — the places most leaks start.
Ventilation
Soffit intake and ridge exhaust keep the attic cooler in summer and drier in winter, which protects the shingles and the deck.
Shingles and ridge cap
Nailed in the pattern the manufacturer requires, finished with ridge cap shingles, and the manufacturer warranty registered where it applies.
What changes the cost of a shingle roof replacement?
The cost of a shingle roof replacement depends mostly on the size and shape of the roof, not just the shingle you pick. That is why we don't quote a number over the phone: the free inspection measures the roof and gives you an exact written price. These are the things that move it:
- Size, in squares. Roofers measure in squares (100 square feet of roof). More squares means more material, labor and disposal.
- Pitch. Steep roofs need staging, harnesses and slower work.
- Layers to remove. Two or three old layers take longer to strip and fill more of the dumpster.
- Deck condition. Rotted wood is only known once the roof is open; it's priced as an extra and shown in photos.
- Shingle line. 3-tab, architectural and designer shingles differ in material cost, and heavier shingles take more labor.
- Flashing details. Chimneys, skylights, dormers and walls each need their own flashing work.
- Ventilation changes. Adding ridge vent or soffit intake where there isn't any.
- Access and disposal. Tight driveways, landscaping and dumpster placement.
Comparing shingle types? Ask us to price two lines on the same estimate so the only difference is the shingle. Full guide: how much a new roof costs in New Jersey. Larger projects can be spread out with roof replacement financing.
Are there energy-efficient or impact-resistant shingles for NJ homes?
Yes. Several shingle lines are made to reflect more sunlight, resist algae or stand up better to hail, and any of them can be installed as part of a Terra Nova shingle roof replacement in North Jersey, including Washington Township and the rest of Bergen County:
- Cool-roof (reflective) shingles use granules that reflect more of the sun's heat, which can help keep an attic cooler in summer. Pairing them with good attic ventilation matters as much as the shingle. See cool roof shingles in New Jersey.
- Algae-resistant shingles help prevent the dark streaks common on shaded, north-facing slopes under big trees.
- Impact-resistant shingles are built to take hail and falling debris better. Some insurers treat them differently — ask your agent.
Energy savings depend on the house, the attic insulation and the ventilation, so we don't promise a number. We'll tell you which options make sense for your roof's exposure.
When does an asphalt shingle roof need replacing?
A shingle roof usually needs replacing when the problems are spread across the roof instead of in one spot. These are the signs we look for on an inspection:
Curling or cupping
Shingle edges turning up or the middle sinking means the shingles have dried out.
Granules in the gutters
Bald patches and gritty gutters mean the protective surface is wearing away.
Repeated wind damage
Shingles that blow off in every storm have often lost their seal across the roof.
Leaks in more than one place
Stains in several rooms, or the same leak back after repairs.
Wavy or sagging lines
Can point to a soft deck or too many layers.
Tired flashing everywhere
When chimney, wall and vent flashing all need work, a new roof is often the better spend.
Not sure? Read signs you need a roof replacement and repair vs. replacement. If a repair will do, we'll say so — leak repair starts from $650 and standard roof repair from $950.
How does a shingle roof replacement day work?
Most shingle roof replacements are finished in 1–3 days, and you don't need to be home while the crew works. A typical job runs like this:
- Before the day: we confirm the shingle and color, place the dumpster and ask you to move cars and anything fragile near the walls or hanging in the attic.
- Morning: tarps protect landscaping and siding; the crew tears off one section at a time, so only what can be covered that day is opened.
- Deck check: soft wood is photographed and shown to you before it's replaced.
- Dry-in: ice & water barrier, underlayment and drip edge go on the same day the section is opened.
- Shingles, flashing and vents: installed and sealed, ridge cap last.
- Cleanup: debris cleared daily, magnet sweep for nails, then a final walkthrough with you.
If rain moves in, open areas are dried in with underlayment or tarps before the crew leaves, and work picks up when it's dry.
Shingle roof contractors in Fair Lawn, Washington Township and across North Jersey
Terra Nova is based in Garfield and replaces shingle roofs on capes, colonials, split-levels, ranches and two-family homes throughout the six counties we serve. Local pages:
Other roof types: flat roof replacement for porches, additions and low-slope sections; we install EPDM, TPO and modified bitumen. Have a metal roof? See metal roof repair or replacement options. Before you sign with anyone, ask every roofer to put the tear-off, deck repairs, underlayment, flashing and ventilation in writing.
What homeowners say about us
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Get a Free Shingle Roof Inspection
We'll measure the roof, photograph what we find and give you a written estimate with the exact shingle line, color and price.
Why homeowners call us
- Shingles curling, cracking or blowing off
- Leaks in more than one spot
- Comparing architectural and designer shingles
- Selling or buying a house with an old roof
- Storm damage on an aging roof
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Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement Questions
How long does an asphalt shingle roof replacement take?
Most residential shingle roof replacements take 1–3 days. Large, steep or complicated roofs with several chimneys, skylights or dormers take longer, and weather can add a day.
Do I need to be home during the roof replacement?
No. Most homeowners go to work as normal. We do ask that cars are moved from the driveway and that someone is reachable by phone in case we find damaged wood that needs your OK.
What happens if it rains in the middle of the job?
We only open as much roof as we can cover the same day. If rain comes, the open section is dried in with underlayment or tarps before the crew stops, and we finish once it's dry.
Which is better, architectural or 3-tab shingles?
For most homes, architectural shingles. They're thicker, hold up better in wind and look more dimensional, while 3-tab shingles are the lightest and are being phased out in many product lines.
Are designer shingles worth the extra cost?
They can be if you want the look of slate or wood shake on a larger home. We install designer, architectural and 3-tab shingles and can price designer and architectural on the same estimate so you can compare.
Can you install new shingles over my old ones?
We don't. A full tear-off lets us repair the deck and install ice & water barrier, underlayment and flashing correctly, which a layover can't do.
Will homeowners insurance pay for a new shingle roof?
It might if the roof was damaged by a covered event like wind or a fallen tree, but not for normal wear. We document the damage with photos and can meet the adjuster; the decision is your insurer's. See insurance and roof replacement.
Do you offer financing for a shingle roof?
Yes. Financing is available for larger projects like a full roof replacement. Ask for the options when we give you the estimate.
What does the free estimate include?
A roof measurement, photos of the shingles, flashing, vents and any damage, the shingle line and color, the work list, and the exact price in writing. Rotted decking is shown as a separate extra.
Do you register the shingle manufacturer's warranty?
Yes, where it applies. We install to the manufacturer's specs and register the warranty, and every job also carries our workmanship guarantee.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Llame o mande texto al 973-200-1617 para una inspección gratis.
Updated November 2026 by the Terra Nova Roofing & Construction team, Garfield, NJ • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700