Roof Replacement: The Whole System, Done Right
A roof replacement is not a pile of shingles — it is a system of seven layers working together, and the ones you never see are the ones that decide whether it lasts thirty years or leaks in five. This page explains exactly what a complete replacement includes, what drives the price, and how to compare quotes — because an educated homeowner is our favorite kind of customer. When you are ready to talk about your town, we cover New Albany, Corydon, and all of Southern Indiana, plus the Louisville metro. Not sure yours is due yet? Start with how long a roof lasts in Southern Indiana.
The Anatomy of a Roof That Lasts
Decking — The Foundation
Every shingle is only as good as the wood underneath it. We inspect the deck after tear-off, replace soft or rotted sheathing, and price decking work per sheet up front — never as a mid-job surprise.
Ice & Water Shield + Underlayment
A self-sealing membrane at the eaves and valleys where ice dams and heavy rain attack, with synthetic underlayment across the rest of the deck. The waterproofing layer nobody sees — and the one that matters most.
Starter Course & Field Shingles
A proper starter strip locks the first row against wind uplift, then GAF architectural shingles go down row by row, nailed to spec — placement and nail count checked, not guessed.
Flashing at Every Penetration
Chimneys, walls, valleys, and pipe boots are where most roofs actually leak. We install new flashing at every one — reusing old flashing under new shingles is how cheap quotes stay cheap.
Ventilation That Breathes
Ridge vents and intake ventilation matched to your attic. Poor airflow bakes shingles from below in summer and feeds ice dams in winter — and it can void material warranties.
Ridge Cap & Final Details
Dedicated ridge cap shingles (not cut-up field shingles), sealed exposed fasteners, painted accessories, and a final walkthrough with you before the trailer leaves.
How to Compare Roofing Quotes Apples to Apples
Two quotes for "a new roof" can be a thousand dollars apart and describe completely different jobs. The cheaper one often skips what you cannot see: reused flashing, no ice-and-water shield, decking "to be determined" — a number that grows once the old roof is off and you have no leverage left.
A complete quote names its components. It states the shingle line, the underlayment, where ice-and-water shield goes, whether flashing is new, how ventilation is handled, and what a sheet of decking costs if we find rot. If a quote will not put those in writing, that is the answer to which quote to trust.
And if a storm is what brought you here, read how the insurance claim process works before you commit to anyone — including us.
Get a Line-Item EstimateA Complete Quote Should Name
- Shingle brand and product line
- Underlayment type and coverage
- Ice & water shield locations
- New flashing — or reused?
- Per-sheet decking replacement price
- Ventilation plan (intake + exhaust)
- Both warranties, in writing
- Cleanup and magnetic nail sweep
Get one from us free: 502-208-7089.
From Old Roof to Registered Warranty
Inspection & Honest Verdict
We look at the whole system — shingles, decking from the attic, flashing, ventilation — and tell you straight whether you need a replacement or just a repair.
Line-Item Proposal
Your estimate names every component and its price, including per-sheet decking rates, so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
Tear-Off to Dry-In, Same Day
We strip to the deck, make repairs, and get your roof watertight with underlayment the same day it comes off — your home is never left exposed overnight.
Build, Clean, Register
Full system installation to manufacturer spec, magnetic nail sweeps, and your warranty registered before we call the job done.
Roof Replacement, Answered Straight
What actually determines the price of a roof replacement?
Five things drive the number: roof size measured in squares, pitch and complexity (valleys, dormers, steep sections), the condition of the decking underneath, the shingle and component tier you choose, and how many old layers have to come off. Most full replacements in our area land between $8,000 and $18,000 — a line-item estimate shows you exactly where yours falls and why.
Why full tear-off instead of roofing over the old shingles?
Layering new shingles over old hides the decking, traps heat that shortens shingle life, adds weight, and usually voids or weakens warranty coverage. A tear-off lets us fix what is actually wrong under there and start the new system on a sound, inspected deck. It costs more up front and it is the only version of this job we are willing to put our name on.
What is roof decking, and will mine need replacement?
Decking is the plywood or board sheathing your shingles fasten to. We cannot see all of it until tear-off, which is why our estimates state a per-sheet price for replacement in advance — you know the rate before we find anything. Most roofs need a handful of sheets or none; roofs with long-ignored leaks need more.
Can only one side or section of a roof be replaced?
Sometimes — if damage is confined to one slope and the rest of the roof has years left, a partial replacement can make sense, and we will tell you when it does. The honest caveat: new shingles never perfectly match weathered ones, and if the whole roof is near end of life, two mobilizations usually cost more than one full replacement.
Can you replace a roof in winter?
Yes, with the right precautions — shingle adhesive strips seal more slowly in cold weather, so cold-season installs call for careful hand-sealing and scheduling around the forecast. We install year-round and we will tell you honestly if a stretch of weather is worth waiting out.
What warranties come with a replacement?
Two kinds: the GAF manufacturer warranty covering the materials, and our own workmanship warranty covering the installation. GAF offers multiple warranty levels depending on the system installed — we will walk you through exactly which apply to your roof and register everything before we close the job.
How long will the crew be at my house?
Most single-family roofs: one to two days on site. What matters more than speed is sequence — protection down before tear-off, dry-in the same day, and no half-finished roof waiting on the weather. Complex or multi-structure projects get a clear timeline in the proposal.
What if my replacement is storm-related?
Then start with the insurance side before you commit to anything. We photo-document damage, meet your adjuster on the roof, and provide the documentation your claim needs — the process is explained step by step on our insurance claims page.
Ready for a New Roof?
Serving New Albany, Louisville, and the greater Kentuckiana region. Call 502-208-7089 or fill out the form above and we'll get back to you the same day.