Expert Roofing Contractors in Acton, MA

Most Acton homeowners aren't thinking about their roof until something goes wrong. A leak after a heavy rain. Ice dams backing up under the shingles in February. Missing shingles after a wind storm. By then, you're scrambling to find someone reliable before the next weather event. The reality is that if your home was built in the 1970s or 1980s, which covers a large portion of Acton's housing stock, your roof has either already been replaced once or it's overdue.

Asphalt shingles are what you'll find on most homes in town. The original roofs from that era used 3-tab shingles that lasted 15-20 years. If your home still has those, they're well past their useful life. Even the better architectural shingles installed in the 1990s or early 2000s are now approaching 25-30 years. Granule loss, curling edges, and cracked shingles are all signs the materials have broken down. At that point, repairs just delay the inevitable.

We install primarily architectural asphalt shingles from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. These are the industry standards, and when installed correctly, they'll give you 25-30 years of solid performance. For homeowners planning to stay long-term, metal roofing is worth considering. The upfront cost is higher, around 2-3 times the cost of asphalt, but metal roofs last 50+ years and handle snow and ice much better. They also shed snow rather than letting it accumulate, which reduces ice dam risk significantly.

Ice dams are a real concern in Acton. The freeze-thaw cycles we get from December through March create perfect conditions for ice buildup at the eaves. When we install a roof, we put ice and water shield membrane along the first several feet from the edge, which is code in Massachusetts. But proper ventilation matters just as much. Ridge vents and soffit vents keep the roof deck temperature even, which prevents the snowmelt that causes ice dams in the first place. If you've had ice dam problems before, we'll look at the whole system, not just slap new shingles over a bad setup.

The process starts with a free inspection. We'll get on the roof, check the decking from the attic if accessible, and give you an honest assessment. Some roofs have a few more years left with minor repairs. Others need full replacement. We're not going to push you into a new roof if you don't need one. If replacement makes sense, we provide a written estimate with line items so you see exactly what you're paying for. Materials, labor, permits, disposal, everything broken out.

We handle all permitting with the Town. Acton uses an online system through OpenGov, and we take care of the application, fees, and scheduling inspections. You don't need to make trips to Town Hall or coordinate with inspectors. Once the permit is approved, which typically takes 3-5 business days, we schedule your installation. Most roofs take 1-3 days depending on size and complexity. A straightforward ranch is often done in a day. A larger colonial with dormers and multiple roof lines takes 2-3 days.

We've been doing this for 27 years, same family ownership the whole time. Our crews show up when scheduled, protect your landscaping and property, and leave the site clean. We're not a huge operation that treats you like a number. When you call, you get someone who knows your project.