- Serving Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, DC & West Virginia
Roofing
Quality Roofing Materials
A roof is only as good as what it is built from. Here is what we use and why it matters when you compare bids.
What We Install
CertainTeed and Other Quality Products
Todd Masterson Roofing & Exteriors commonly works with roofing products from CertainTeed, along with other quality materials selected based on the needs of each project.
CertainTeed is one of the longest-established roofing manufacturers in North America, and their shingle systems are what we install most often. Depending on the home, the budget, and what the roof needs, we also work with other manufacturers when they are the better fit for the job.
What we do not do is choose materials by price alone. The cheapest shingle on a bid is rarely the cheapest roof over twenty years.
The Full System
A Roof Is More Than Shingles
When you compare bids, look at every layer. Two quotes with the same shingle can be very different roofs.
Shingles
Architectural shingles are the standard for most homes in this region. They are thicker than three-tab, carry longer manufacturer warranties, and hold up better in wind.
Underlayment
The layer between the shingles and the deck. Synthetic underlayment resists tearing and moisture better than older felt paper.
Ice and Water Shield
A self-adhering membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations. It seals around nails and stops water that backs up under shingles from ice dams or heavy rain.
Flashing
Metal at every roof-to-wall junction, chimney, and penetration. Most leaks start where flashing was reused, skipped, or done poorly.
Ventilation
Ridge vents and intake vents keep the attic from overheating and holding moisture. Proper ventilation protects the shingles and is often a condition of manufacturer warranties.
Starter and Hip/Ridge
Purpose-made starter strips and ridge caps seal the edges and peaks. Using cut-up field shingles instead is a common shortcut that shows up as wind damage later.
When It Matters
When to Ask About Materials
Material quality is invisible until it is not. These are the moments to ask.
Comparing Bids
Two quotes with very different prices often have very different materials under the same shingle name. Ask for the full system on each.
Storm-Prone Areas
Impact-rated shingles and better wind ratings matter more where hail and high wind are recurring.
Planning to Stay
If you will be in the home for twenty years, the material decision matters more than if you are selling in two.
Warranty Questions
Manufacturer warranties vary and often depend on how the full system was installed. Ask what is covered and what conditions apply.
Why Choose Todd Masterson Roofing & Exteriors
How We Approach Materials
You should know what is going on your roof before it goes on.
We Walk You Through It
Before the job, we go over what we are proposing to install and why it fits your roof.
Full System, Not Just Shingles
Every bid we write includes underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing, and ventilation as line items.
Right Product for the Roof
CertainTeed most often, but the product is chosen for the roof and the budget, not by default.
Installed to Spec
Materials perform when installed the way the manufacturer specifies. That is the job.
Worth Knowing
Things to Consider About Materials
A few points that affect the roof's life and your warranty.
Manufacturer Warranties
Coverage terms vary by manufacturer and product, and many depend on the full system being installed to specification. Ask us what applies to your specific roof rather than assuming.
Algae-Resistant Shingles
Dark streaking on roofs in this region is algae. Shingles with algae-resistant granules stay cleaner longer. Worth asking about.
Color and Heat
Darker shingles absorb more heat. It is a minor factor in the Mid-Atlantic but worth knowing if the attic runs hot.
Matching an Existing Roof
For repairs or partial replacement, matching the existing shingle exactly may not be possible if the product or color has been discontinued.
Talk Materials
Know What Is Going on Your Roof
Ask us what we would install and why. We will look at the roof, explain the options, and put the full system in writing.
- No obligation. An inspection is not a commitment to a job.
- Written scope. The price and the work in line items you can compare.
- Prefer to talk? Call or text us directly, seven in the morning to four thirty.