Replacing an aging roof is about more than simply putting new shingles over an old roofing system. The materials, installation methods, ventilation, roof design, and condition of the underlying deck all play an important role in determining how well a new roof performs.
During a recent residential roofing project in Marshall, Missouri, the Ridgeline Roofing team was removing an older 3-tab shingle system and replacing it with TAMKO Titan XT in Thunderstorm Grey. The project also provided an opportunity to address the property’s existing ventilation configuration and improve the overall roofing system.
From 3-Tab Shingles to Architectural Shingles
The existing roof was covered with traditional 3-tab shingles. This type of shingle was once an extremely common choice for residential and commercial properties, but architectural shingles have become increasingly popular because of their enhanced design, durability, and performance characteristics.
The old shingles on this roof showed their age, including visible algae growth and general deterioration.
The existing 3-tab shingles were installed with a staggered five-inch exposure pattern rather than the more recognizable brick-style six-inch pattern. After years of exposure to Missouri weather, the roofing system was ready for replacement.
For the new roof, the customer selected TAMKO Titan XT, an architectural shingle designed to provide improved performance and a more substantial appearance.
Why TAMKO Titan XT?
TAMKO Titan XT has become a popular choice for homeowners looking for a high-quality architectural shingle at a competitive price point.
The Thunderstorm Grey color also provides a modern appearance that can complement a wide variety of exterior finishes.
One of the most notable features of this shingle is its up to 160 mph wind rating when installed according to applicable manufacturer specifications. That can be particularly valuable in Missouri and surrounding areas where high winds and severe storms are a recurring concern.
Titan XT also carries a Class 3 impact resistance rating, which may provide potential insurance benefits depending on the homeowner’s insurance carrier and policy.
Homeowners should always check with their insurance company to determine whether a qualifying impact-resistant roofing system results in a premium discount.
Understanding the Difference Between 3-Tab and Architectural Shingles
The difference between older 3-tab shingles and today’s architectural shingles isn’t simply cosmetic.
Traditional 3-tab shingles have a relatively uniform appearance and a single-layer profile. Architectural shingles are manufactured with a more dimensional construction, giving the roof greater visual depth and a more substantial appearance.
Modern shingle manufacturing has also continued to improve the materials used inside the shingles.
During this Marshall project, we examined the older 3-tab shingles after they were removed. The existing shingles contained a fiberglass mat, which was already an improvement over much older organic shingles.
What About Organic Shingles?
Older roofing systems sometimes contain organic shingles, particularly on buildings that have been roofed several decades ago.
Organic shingles were manufactured using a paper-based mat saturated with asphalt. They were generally heavier and could retain a significant amount of asphalt and granules.
Modern fiberglass-based shingles may look thinner by comparison, but thickness alone doesn’t determine roofing quality.
Today’s fiberglass mats and manufacturing processes have produced significant improvements in shingle performance, durability, wind resistance, and consistency.
In other words, a thinner modern shingle isn’t necessarily a lower-quality shingle.
Addressing the Roof’s Ventilation
The shingle replacement wasn’t the only improvement being made to this roof.
The existing system included several different ventilation components, including box vents, ridge vent, and solar-powered power vents. However, the attic had also been insulated with spray foam.
Once an attic is properly converted to a conditioned, sealed assembly using spray foam, traditional attic ventilation components may no longer serve the same purpose.
That’s why ventilation needs to be evaluated as part of the entire roofing system rather than simply adding more vents.
Every building is different, and ventilation decisions should be based on the specific construction, insulation system, and design of the property.
Preparing for Missouri Weather
Roofing projects in Missouri don’t always happen under perfect conditions.
During this project, the Ridgeline crew was keeping an eye on incoming storms while working to keep the roof and materials protected. Proper planning and temporary weather protection are critical when removing an existing roof.
Tarps and other protective measures can help keep the building dry if weather arrives before the new roofing system is completed.
The goal is always the same: remove the old roofing system, protect the structure, and install the new roof correctly without allowing weather to compromise the project.
A New Roof Built for Long-Term Performance
Replacing an older 3-tab roof with a modern architectural shingle system can dramatically improve both the appearance and performance of a property.
With TAMKO Titan XT in Thunderstorm Grey, the Marshall project received a modern architectural profile, a strong wind rating, and Class 3 impact resistance, along with a new roofing system designed for today’s weather conditions.
The project also demonstrates why a roof replacement should be viewed as an opportunity to evaluate everything beneath and around the shingles, including ventilation, flashing, penetrations, and the condition of the roof deck.
Is your roof showing its age? Let’s find out what it really needs. Contact us today or get your Free Instant Roof Quote to schedule a professional roof inspection and discuss your residential or commercial roofing options.
Hear Tim’s Thoughts
Video transcript: "Hey Tim Yates, Ridgeline Roofing and Solar. We're in Marshall, Missouri today. We're working on a residential care facility and it's hot. Everybody looks like they've had a bath already. It's been out in it. So we're tearing off a three-tab shingle. You can see it over there. A little
standard three-tab ran on fives. It's got some algae on it. You can see how it's ran on fives.
If it's ran on sixes, it'll have a complete perfect brick pattern on it and this one does not.
So this one's ran on fives. That's usually their option for running them.
And we're going back with the Tamco Titan, a thunderstorm gray, 160 mile an hour shingle.
And we've had a lot of success with the Titan. We really like it. So it looks pretty good on this
building as well. So we're actually trying to fight off this rain right here that's supposed to be
coming in. We're set for it. We've got tarps up here. I've got a 100 by 100 tarp over there
in case we need it. And let's kind of see what happens on that. So we're taking the ventilation
out of this roof too. It's got box vents in it. It had ridge vent in it. It's got solar powered
power vents in it. And it was just set up wrong anyway. So it really wasn't going to work.
So they foamed the attic space. And once you foam the attic space, you don't need box vents because
they're, they're pointless at that, that point. It's not, it's not ventilating anything. So he's had a lot of success with the, with the foam. I've seen it both ways. And this customer particular has foamed a lot of his buildings and it's working for him. So we're really glad. And you don't have the, quite as many protrusions coming out of your roof. So it's a little safer. So also the three tabs that we're tearing off, I wanted to show those. So they're standards. It's a 20 year three tab. They make 25s now and they'll make the 20. Not that I know of.
So this got a fiberglass mat in it. I don't buy three tabs anyway, but this has a fiberglass mat in it.
You can see that. And then the organic, you'll, every once in a while, you still run into an organic shingle that you tear off. And usually they're a little thicker. When they get to this age, they might be a little more crumbled up, but they have a lot more granules on them. People think that they're the shingles are making now they're thinner. So it can't be any better than an organic. Well, actually they are. The matting is better now.
So really, even though they're thinner, that they're definitely better shingles. So we're going to keep
our fingers crossed that we don't get soaked and wet here and try to keep everything into dry. And hopefully it, uh, we've got a little bit of sun or, uh, cloud cover right now. Hopefully that cloud cover stays there and, uh, we don't, we don't get wet. So if you guys need any help with your residential or commercial roof, please give us a call. Thank you very much."