Nobody loves spending money on a new roof. It’s one of those big-ticket items that feels less like buying a shiny new car and more like paying for a root canal. You know you need it, you know it protects everything you own, but it’s still a grudge purchase.
If you’re a homeowner here in Philadelphia, you also know that our weather doesn’t mess around. One minute it’s a humid 95 degrees, and the next, we’re getting hammered by a nor’easter with wind gusts that feel like they could peel the paint off a car. That’s exactly why asphalt shingle roofing in Philadelphia is the undisputed king. It’s tough, it’s affordable, and when installed right, it looks fantastic.
At Discounted Roofing LLC, we’ve been climbing ladders and tearing off old shingles in Philly for over 30 years. We’ve seen it all, from the classic row homes in South Philly to the sprawling single family homes in the Northeast. So, we wanted to sit down and write a no-nonsense guide to help you navigate the world of asphalt shingles. No fluff, just the honest truth about costs, durability, and what to expect when the crew shows up.
Why Asphalt Shingles? (And Why Philly Loves Them)
Walk down any street in Philadelphia, and look up. What do you see? Asphalt shingles. Probably on 80% of the roofs. There’s a reason for that domination.
For one, they are versatile. Whether you have a steep A-frame roof or a standard suburban slope, asphalt shingles adapt. But more importantly for us Philadelphians, they are the “Goldilocks” of roofing materials. They aren’t as notoriously expensive as slate (though we love the look of historic slate), and they are often more aesthetically pleasing for residential neighborhoods than rubber or metal.
Asphalt shingles come in two main flavors that you need to know about:
- 3 Tab Shingles: These are your old-school, flat-looking shingles. They are the most budget-friendly, but honestly, they’re becoming a bit outdated.
- Architectural (Dimensional) Shingles: These are the new standard. They are thicker, have a textured “3D” look that mimics wood shake or slate, and they hold up way better against the wind.
If you ask us? Go architectural. The slight price bump is worth it for the curb appeal and the extra years of life you get out of them.
The Elephant in the Room: How Much Does It Cost?
Alright, let’s talk numbers. We know you’re likely Googling “roof replacement cost 2026” and getting answers ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. It’s frustrating.
Here is the reality for residential roofing in Philadelphia right now.
For a standard asphalt shingle roof replacement in the Philly area, you are typically looking at a range between $4.50 and $7.00 per square foot.
So, if you have a typical 2,000 square foot roof, you might be looking at anywhere from $9,000 to $14,000.
Now, hold on, before you lock that number in your head, remember that every roof has its own personality and problems. Here is what changes that price tag:
- Tear-Offs: Do you already have two layers of shingles up there? Philadelphia building code says we can’t put a third layer on. We have to rip it all off down to the deck. That takes time and dumpster space, which adds to the labor cost.
- Accessibility: Is your home a row house where we have to carry bundles of shingles up three stories through a narrow alley? Or is it a standalone home with a wide driveway? Ease of access matters.
- The Decking: Once we rip the old roof off, we might find that the plywood underneath is rotted. We can’t nail new shingles to rotten wood (well, some guys might, but we won’t). Replacing plywood sheets will bump the cost slightly.
At Discounted Roofing LLC, we pride ourselves on being transparent. When Joe or one of our estimators gives you a quote, we try to foresee these issues so you aren’t hit with “surprise” invoices halfway through the job. We believe in affordable pricing, but we don’t believe in cutting corners to get there.
Durability: Can It Survive a Philly Winter?
You might be thinking, “It’s just asphalt and fiberglass, how strong can it be?”
Modern asphalt shingles are surprisingly resilient. A quality architectural shingle typically comes with a wind rating of up to 110 or even 130 mph. Think about the last bad storm we had, unless a tree branch falls directly on it, a properly installed shingle roof shouldn’t budge.
The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: This is the silent killer of roofs in Pennsylvania. We get rain in January, then it freezes overnight, then it thaws the next morning. Water expands when it freezes. If water gets under your shingles, it freezes and pushes the shingles up.
This is why durability isn’t just about the shingle itself, it’s about the installation system.
- Ice and Water Shield: This is non-negotiable for us. We install a waterproof membrane along the eaves (the bottom edge of the roof) and in the valleys. This prevents “ice dams”, those nasty blocks of ice that form in your gutters from backing water up under your shingles and leaking into your living room.
Lifespan Expectations, If you treat your roof right:
- 3 Tab Shingles: Expect 15 to 20 years.
- Architectural Shingles: Expect 25 to 30 years.
We’ve seen roofs we installed in the 90s that are still holding up because they were ventilated properly. Ventilation is key. If your attic gets too hot in the summer (and Philly summers are brutal), it literally cooks the shingles from the bottom up. We make sure your roof breathes so your shingles last.
The Installation Guide: The Discounted Roofing LLC Way
If you hire us, or really any reputable pro, you should know what’s happening at your house. Here is a step by step of how a proper residential roofing job goes down in Philadelphia.
Step 1: The Prep and Protect. We tarp off your bushes, move your patio furniture, and protect your driveway. We treat your property like it’s our own grandmother’s house.
Step 2: The Tear-Off. We strip the roof down to the bare wood. This is the messy part, but it’s crucial. We need to see the bones of your roof to ensure the structure is sound.
Step 3: The Drip Edge & Underlayment. We install a metal drip edge along the perimeter. This stops water from curling back and rotting your fascia boards. Then comes the underlayment, a felt or synthetic layer that acts as a final barrier between the shingles and your wood deck.
Step 4: Shingling. This is where the magic happens. Our crews have been doing this for decades, they have a rhythm. We nail the shingles using the specific pattern required by the manufacturer (usually 4 to 6 nails per shingle). If you nail it wrong, the warranty is void. We don’t mess around with that.
Step 5: Flashing. This is where 90% of leaks happen, around the chimney, the vent pipes, and where the roof meets a wall. We use metal flashing to seal these areas tight. If a roofer relies just on “roofing cement” or goop to seal a chimney, run away. You need metal flashing.
Step 6: The Clean Up. We run heavy duty magnets over your lawn and driveway to catch any stray nails. The last thing we want is for you to get a flat tire two days later. When we leave, the only evidence we were there is a beautiful new roof.
Navigating Philadelphia Permits and Historical Zones
This is the boring part, but it’s super important. Philadelphia has specific building codes.
- Permits: Yes, you usually need a permit for a full roof replacement. Discounted Roofing LLC handles this for you. We know the folks at L&I (Licenses and Inspections), and we make sure everything is filed correctly so you don’t get a stop-work order slapped on your door.
- Historical Commission: If you live in a designated historic district (like parts of Society Hill or Germantown), you can’t just install any shingle on your roof. You might need specific colors or materials to match the historic look. We can help and guide you through that approval process so you don’t get fined.
A Note on Discounted Roofing
Our name is Discounted Roofing LLC, and sometimes people ask us, “Does that mean cheap materials?”
Absolutely not.
It means we keep our overhead low so we can pass the savings to you. We are a family business. We don’t have a massive corporate headquarters or slick TV commercials that cost millions. We rely on word of mouth and our reputation. Joe (our owner) believes that everyone deserves a solid roof over their head without going bankrupt.
We use high quality materials from trusted manufacturers.
Maintenance Tips to Save You Money
Once we install your new roof, we want you to forget about it for 25 years. But a little TLC helps.
- Keep Gutters Clean: Clogged gutters are a roof’s worst enemy. If water can’t drain, it backs up.
- Trim Trees: If you have big oak trees overhanging your house, trim the branches. Consistently dripping water or rubbing branches will strip the granules off your shingles.
- Look for Moss: If you have a shady roof, moss might grow. Don’t power wash it. That destroys shingles. Ask us about safe removal treatments.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a roofer is a trust game. You are letting strangers climb on top of your most valuable asset. We take that seriously.
If you are looking for asphalt shingle roofing in Philadelphia, give us a shout. We aren’t high-pressure salespeople. We’ll come out, take a look, show you some photos of what’s going on up there, and give you a fair, honest price.
Whether you need a quick repair after a storm or a full replacement, Discounted Roofing LLC is here to help. We’ve been keeping Philly dry for over 30 years, and we’d love to do the same for you.
Ready for a free assessment? Check us out at DiscountedRoofingLLC.com or give us a call. Let’s get that roof sorted before the next storm hits.