Full tear-off and replacement in asphalt shingles — three-tab vs. architectural, real pricing, and what a good replacement includes.
A real replacement is a system, not a shingle swap. The crew strips the old roof to the deck, replaces soft or rotted plywood, lays underlayment and ice-and-water shield at the eaves and valleys, installs new flashing at every penetration, and finishes with the shingle line you chose — plus ridge ventilation so the new roof lasts as long as the shingle is rated for. Any quote that skips the shield, the flashing, or the ventilation is not a cheaper roof; it's a shorter one.
| Three-tab | Architectural | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Flat, uniform, single-layer profile | Dimensional, layered profile that reads like wood shake from the street |
| Typical cost (2,000 sq ft home) | $9,000–$15,000 | $11,000–$20,000 |
| Wind resistance | Lower ratings; more vulnerable to lifting in storms | Higher ratings; heavier mat and better sealing |
| Algae resistance | Often limited | Commonly available with algae-resistant granules — worth it on shaded, wooded lots |
| Best for | Budget replacements, rentals, short stays | Most owner-occupied Hartford County homes |
Repairs make sense on a young roof with isolated damage — a few shingles lost to wind, one flashing failure. They stop making sense when the roof is past 20 years, granule loss is widespread, leaks appear in more than one place, or the decking is soft underfoot. At that point every repair buys months, and the money spent patching is money not spent on the replacement you'll need anyway. Our replacement-vs-repair guide walks through the triage honestly.
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