Asphalt shingle roofing
Architectural shingle roofing and asphalt shingle roof installation, done right
If you are replacing a shingle roof, the choices can feel endless. Ours is simple: we install architectural shingles only, and we explain every layer that goes under them.
Mobley Brothers Roofing & Renovation has put architectural shingle roofing on homes across East and Middle Tennessee since 2007, working from our offices in Knoxville and Lebanon. Asphalt shingles are the main roof we install, and every asphalt shingle roof installation we do starts with a full tear-off down to the decking.
As a GAF Master Elite residential roofing contractor, we install GAF roofing systems. Below you will find why we do not install three-tab shingles, what goes into a complete shingle roof, how the installation works, and how to pick a color you will be happy with for decades.
Why we only install architectural shingle roofing
Three-tab shingles are the flat, uniform strips you see on a lot of older homes. They cost a little less up front, and some contractors still quote them to win on price. We will not install them. As David puts it, it is only a few dollars more to put on an architectural grade roof, the homeowner is far happier with it, and putting on cheap shingles is asking for problems.
Architectural shingles, also called dimensional or laminated shingles, are built from more than one layer. That makes them thicker and heavier, gives the roof depth and shadow lines instead of a flat pattern, and generally earns them longer manufacturer warranties and higher wind and impact ratings than three-tab products. When we quote a shingle roof, the only difference between our price and a three-tab price is the shingle, and we think the architectural shingle is worth it every time.
Architectural shingles vs three-tab shingles
Here is how the two compare in general terms. Exact ratings and warranty terms vary by product, and we go over the specifics for your roof in the proposal.
| Feature | Architectural shingles | Three-tab shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Multiple laminated layers, thicker and heavier | Single flat layer cut into three tabs |
| Look | Dimensional, with depth and shadow lines | Flat, uniform pattern |
| Wind and impact ratings | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Manufacturer warranty | Generally longer | Generally shorter |
| Up-front cost | A little more | A little less |
| Do we install it? | Yes, on every shingle roof | No |
What goes into an asphalt shingle roof installation
A shingle roof is a system, and the shingles are only the top layer. Our written proposal lists each material and the quantity going on your roof, so you can compare it line for line with any other quote.
- Decking: the plywood or boards the roof is built on, checked once the old roof is off and replaced where it is soft or rotted
- Underlayment: the water-resistant layer laid over the decking before any shingles
- Starter shingles: the first course along the eaves and rakes that seals the edge
- Architectural shingles: in the color you choose
- Nails: the right type and quantity, placed where the manufacturer requires
- Flashing: at walls, chimneys, valleys, and skylights, where most leaks begin
- Pipe boots and vents: sealed around every roof penetration
- Ridge caps and ventilation: to finish the peak and let the attic breathe
Our asphalt shingle roof installation process
- 01
Measure and inspect
We measure the roof by satellite and build the proposal from that, with allowances for soft decking spelled out. We look at the roof in person before install day, and sooner on an older home or if you have a concern.
- 02
Written proposal with contingencies up front
You get an electronic written proposal with terms and conditions, materials, and colors. The per-board price for any decking replacement and the cost to replace a skylight instead of reflashing it are listed before you sign.
- 03
Protect the property
The crew sets up the Catch-All system where required to catch debris, protects gutters from ladders, and covers the air conditioning unit.
- 04
Tear off to the deck
We remove the old shingles down to the decking. Laying new shingles over old ones adds weight, traps moisture, hides deck problems, and can affect warranty benefits, so we do not do overlays.
- 05
Install, clean up, and walk the job
We replace bad decking at the agreed price, install the full system from underlayment to ridge, clean up the property, and review the finished roof with you.
Choosing a shingle color you will live with
Color is the part of a new roof everyone sees, and it is a decision you will live with for a long time. We bring samples, talk through how a color will look with your brick, siding, and trim, and note the color you choose right on the proposal. Neutral grays, charcoals, and browns are popular, and checking HOA rules before you decide saves headaches.
One tip most people never hear: the color of granules on asphalt shingles fades with sun exposure, and different slopes fade at different rates. Keeping a bundle or two of leftover shingles, stored dry and out of the sun, makes future repairs blend in much better.
GAF Master Elite installation and warranty coverage
Mobley Brothers is a GAF Master Elite residential roofing contractor. GAF is the manufacturer we are certified with and the company that backs the roofing systems we install. That certification requires ongoing training with GAF, including classes on new materials and how they should be installed.
Qualifying new-roof installations can carry up to 50 years of coverage through GAF programs, including the GAF Golden Pledge warranty. Which coverage applies depends on the system that goes on your roof, so we explain the options before you sign and put the details in writing.
Signs your asphalt shingle roof needs replacement
Sometimes the need is obvious: a tree through the roof, water pouring in. More often it is a set of smaller signs that add up. If you are seeing several of these on a shingle roof, have it looked at before the next storm season rather than after.
- Water stains on ceilings or walls, even small ones
- Daylight showing through the roof boards in the attic
- A roofline that sags or looks wavy from the street
- Shingles that curl, cup or have lost their granules in bald patches
- Shingles in the yard after every windy day, and granules piling up in the gutters
- Moss or algae holding moisture on shaded slopes
- A roof that is simply old, with wear spread across every slope rather than one damaged spot
Shingle repair and matching an older roof
Not every shingle roof needs replacing. Wind lifts tabs, storms tear off a few shingles, and pipe boots crack long before the rest of the roof is worn out. When the roof still has good years left, we repair it. Our motto is repair when we can, replace when we should, and that applies to shingle roofs as much as anything we do. If a repair buys you a few more years, we will tell you, along with roughly how long we think the roof has left so you can plan.
Matching new shingles to a roof that has weathered for years is difficult, because production batches vary and the old shingles have faded. We identify the existing shingle as closely as we can, compare available options against your roof, and choose the closest practical match. On visible slopes, extending the repair to a natural break line can make it blend in better. When a storm claim is involved and a match is not possible, samples of the old shingles can be sent out for a report on whether a match exists, and that report becomes part of the documentation.
Shingles or metal: which fits your home
Architectural shingles are the right roof for most homes we work on. They look good on nearly any style, install quickly, and repair easily. Some homeowners want a metal roof instead, for the look or for a roof they may never replace again. We install both, and we will give you an honest comparison of cost, appearance, and upkeep for your specific house rather than pushing one answer.
A few questions help sort it out. How long do you plan to stay in the house? What does the rest of your street look like? How steep is your roof, and does it have chimneys, dormers, or valleys that are simpler to detail in shingles? What budget are you working with this year? We ask those questions on the first visit, and the answers usually point clearly to one roof or the other.
Worth knowing
Get an estimate for architectural shingle roofing
If your shingles are curling, losing granules, or blowing off in ordinary wind, call the office closest to you for a free estimate. We will tell you whether a repair will do or whether it is time for a new roof, and if it is, we will show you exactly what goes into our asphalt shingle roof installation before you sign.
Middle Tennessee, Lebanon office: (615) 455-3131. East Tennessee, Knoxville office: (865) 205-0800. Financing is available upon credit approval.
Request a free estimate
A few details help us send the right person. If water is coming in right now, call instead.
Google reviews
What customers say
Lebanon 4.9 stars from 94 · Knoxville 4.9 stars from 286 reviews
“They stripped the old shingles down to the deck (learned that word from Mike) and fixed some of the decking. Then started from the underlayment to laying the new shingles.”
“I had to get some quotes to replace my roof and if your in this spot you know it can truly feel like a job I was trying to compare apples to apples to get the best value for my money And Mike did just that he sold me a GAF roofing system and it’s truly a blessing the home is even cooler the AC isn’t working as hard it’s truly nice to have someone do what they say they will do Thank you Mike”
“Very fast and efficient and most of all the repair was perfect with matching brand shingles as well.”
Certifications and accreditations
All 15 credentials and programsFAQ
Questions homeowners ask
Straight answers, the way we would give them on your driveway. If yours is not here, call the office and ask.
More questions we get askedWhy won't you install three-tab shingles?
Because architectural shingles cost only a little more and perform better. They are thicker, generally carry longer manufacturer warranties and higher wind ratings, and look better on the house. Homeowners are happier with them, and we would rather not put our name on a roof we think is asking for problems.
What is the difference between architectural and dimensional shingles?
There is no difference; they are two names for the same thing. Architectural, dimensional, and laminated shingles all describe asphalt shingles built from more than one layer, which gives the roof depth and shadow lines compared with flat three-tab shingles.
Which shingle brand do you install?
We install GAF roofing systems. Mobley Brothers is a GAF Master Elite residential roofing contractor, and GAF backs the systems we put on. We go over the specific shingle, color, and warranty options for your roof when we deliver the proposal.
What affects the cost of an asphalt shingle roof installation?
The main factors are the size and pitch of the roof, how many layers have to be torn off, how much decking needs replacing, and details like chimneys, skylights, valleys, and ventilation. Our proposal states the total for the job and lists possible decking and skylight costs up front, so you know the full range before work begins.
Can you put new shingles over my old roof?
We do not do overlays. We tear the old roof off down to the decking so we can find and fix soft or rotted boards, avoid trapping moisture under a second layer, and install the new system the way the manufacturer intends.
Can you match my shingles for a repair?
We get as close as the materials allow. Shingle colors vary by batch and fade with age, so a perfect match on an older roof is rarely possible. We identify the existing shingle, compare the available options against your roof, and choose the closest practical match, and we can extend the repair to a natural break line to help it blend.
What warranty comes with an architectural shingle roof?
Qualifying new-roof installations can carry up to 50 years of coverage through GAF programs, including the GAF Golden Pledge warranty, because we are a GAF Master Elite contractor. The exact coverage depends on the system installed, and we explain it in writing before you sign.
Verify us
- GAF residential roofingThe manufacturer behind the systems we install
- GAF residential roof warranty comparison guide
- National Roofing Contractors AssociationIndustry education for homeowners
- Tennessee license verificationLook up Tennessee contractor license 59116
Two offices
- Lebanon112 Tirzah Street, Lebanon, TN 37087(615) 455-3131
- Knoxville10440 Laurel Pointe Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931(865) 205-0800
Trusted like family.
Tell us what you are seeing. We will find the real problem.
Free estimates, photos of what we find, and a written proposal before any work starts. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with calls answered or returned day or night. On-site response depends on weather and safe working conditions.
Middle TennesseeLebanon office
(615) 455-3131East TennesseeKnoxville office
(865) 205-0800