Asphalt Roof Installation Savannah GA: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Samed Guvenc
Founder & Director
Looking for the quick answer?
Skim the TL;DR list at the top, review the cited statistics in each section, and use the FAQ near the end for fast answers that match Savannah and Coastal Georgia roofing needs.
🔨 Asphalt Installation Quick Facts
- 💰 Cost: $4-$8/sq ft or $6,000-$12,000 for typical home
- ⏱️ Timeline: 1-3 days for standard residential installation
- 👷 Crew Size: 3-5 roofers typical for residential project
- 📋 Permits: Required in most Georgia counties
- 🛡️ Warranty: 15-30 year manufacturer warranty standard
- ✅ Best Season: Spring/Fall (40-70°F ideal)
Asphalt shingles dominate 75% of residential roofing in America for good reason: affordability, variety, and proven durability. Understanding the professional installation process helps homeowners roof installation.
1. Pre-Installation Assessment
Professional roofers begin with thorough site inspection and planning:
2. Tear-Off Process
Removing old roofing is the first major installation step:
Tear-Off Steps
- Place dumpster or debris containers strategically
- Remove ridge caps and hip shingles carefully
- Strip all shingles from deck (typically 1-2 days)
- Remove and dispose of all nail material
- Inspect decking for damage/rot
- Replace damaged or rotted sections
- Clean deck completely before new installation
3. Underlayment Installation
Underlayment protects your home from water infiltration:
Synthetic Underlayment (Modern)
- • Better water protection
- • UV resistant
- • Won't tear easily
- • Lasts 6+ months exposed
- • Cost: $0.75-$1.50/sq ft
- • ✅ Recommended
Felt Underlayment (Traditional)
- • Basic water protection
- • Prone to tearing
- • Degrades in UV
- • Lasts 2-3 months exposed
- • Cost: $0.40-$0.70/sq ft
- • Not recommended
4. Flashing Installation
Proper flashing prevents 90% of roof leaks around penetrations:
Critical Flashing Areas
- ✓ Valleys: Where two roof planes meet (water concentration point)
- ✓ Chimneys: Metal step flashing + saddle flashing
- ✓ Vents: Rubber boots around plumbing/exhaust vents
- ✓ Skylights: Customized flashing kits per manufacturer
- ✓ Walls: Step flashing where roof meets vertical walls
- ✓ Fascia: Drip edge to prevent water behind gutters
5. Shingle Installation Process
The actual shingle application follows strict industry standards:
Step 1: Starter Row
Install starter shingles along eaves with nails 3-4 inches from edge. Creates proper water shedding angle.
Step 2: Main Shingles
Install rows working toward ridge. Each shingle 4 nails minimum (6 recommended). Offset courses like brick pattern.
Step 3: Valley Treatment
Cut shingles carefully at valleys. Optional: install valley flashing first for extra protection (recommended in Savannah).
Step 4: Ridge Caps
Install ridge cap shingles on peaks. Nail carefully - exposed nails cause leaks if penetrated by wind.
6. Proper Nailing Technique
Nailing is critical - improper nailing causes 50% of premature shingle failures:
✓ Professional Nailing Standards
- Nail Type: 1-3/8" roofing nails (not drywall nails)
- Number: 4-6 nails per shingle minimum
- Placement: 5/8" above cutouts, in nailing line
- Depth: Flush with shingle surface - not driven too deep (crushes) or too shallow (catches wind)
- Alignment: Driven perpendicular to roof surface
7. Cost Breakdown
Understanding what goes into asphalt roof installation costs:
| Cost Category | Percentage | 1,500 sq ft Home |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles | 30-35% | $1,800-$2,100 |
| Labor | 40-50% | $2,400-$3,000 |
| Underlayment/Flashing | 5-8% | $300-$480 |
| Permits/Inspections | 2-3% | $120-$180 |
| Disposal/Debris | 5-8% | $300-$480 |
| Contingency (10%) | 8-10% | $480-$600 |
| TOTAL | 100% | $6,000-$7,500 |
8. Timeline & Project Duration
Typical asphalt roof installation timeline for residential homes:
9. Post-Installation Inspection
Professional roofers perform thorough final inspection before completion:
✓ Final Inspection Checklist
- ☑ All shingles properly fastened (no uplift)
- ☑ No nail pops or exposed nail heads
- ☑ Flashing sealed and watertight
- ☑ Valley construction proper
- ☑ Ridge caps aligned and sealed
- ☑ Vent boots sealed with roof cement
- ☑ All debris removed
- ☑ Gutters cleaned
Professional Asphalt Roof Installation in Savannah
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