How to Choose the Best Roof Shingles for a Rhode Island Home

People often ask which shingle brand is best. The honest answer: the major brands make good architectural shingles, and how the roof is installed matters as much as whose name is on the bundle. Here is what to look at.

1. Architectural Over 3-Tab

For a Rhode Island home, architectural (dimensional) shingles are the right choice. They are thicker, handle wind better, last longer and look better than 3-tab. We install GAF and CertainTeed architectural shingles.

2. Install the System, Not Just Shingles

Shingle manufacturers design their roofs as a system: starter strip, underlayment, ice and water barrier, ridge cap and ventilation. Using the matching components and installing them to the manufacturer’s instructions is what keeps the roof performing and the warranty valid.

3. Ice and Water Barrier

New England ice dams push water up under shingles. Ice and water barrier at the eaves, in the valleys and around penetrations is what stops that water from reaching the deck.

4. Flashing

Most roof leaks we investigate are at flashing: side walls, chimneys, skylights and vents. A new roof should get new flashing, installed piece by piece and tied into the wall. Reusing old flashing or relying on caulk is where new roofs start leaking.

5. Ventilation

A roof needs balanced intake and exhaust ventilation. Without it, attics trap heat and moisture, which shortens shingle life and can lead to condensation and mold.

6. Color

Pick a color that suits your house and neighborhood. Darker shingles absorb more heat; lighter colors reflect more. Look at full-size samples on your actual roof in daylight before deciding.