Roof Replacement

What a full tear-off actually replaces

A tear-off removes every existing layer down to the roof deck: old shingles, old underlayment, old flashing. That's different from a "roof-over," where new shingles go down on top of the old layer — a faster, cheaper option that also traps moisture and hides deck damage until it's much worse. On a house built before 1990, the deck itself is worth inspecting once it's exposed; sheathing that's been through 30+ Illinois winters sometimes needs sections replaced before new shingles go down.

Where the water actually gets in

Eaves and valleys take the worst of it here. Ice-and-water shield — a self-adhering waterproof membrane — goes down first at the eaves (extending at least 24 inches past the interior wall line, per most manufacturer specs) and in every valley, because that's where ice dams back water up under standard shingles every winter. The rest of the deck gets synthetic underlayment, which sheds wind-driven rain better than old-style felt paper.

Material: architectural asphalt shingle or metal

Most replacements on this site are architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingle — the standard choice for the housing stock here, rated for roughly 110–130 mph wind when installed correctly, and available in enough colors and profiles to match nearly any house. Standing-seam metal costs more up front but handles the freeze-thaw cycling here with less wear per cycle, and sheds snow and ice more completely instead of holding it against the deck. See the breakdowns below for the specifics of each.

New flashing everywhere the roof is interrupted

Chimneys, plumbing vents, skylights, and roof-to-wall transitions all get new flashing during a tear-off — reusing old flashing is the single most common shortcut that leads to a callback leak within a year or two. Step flashing, counter-flashing, and pipe boots all get replaced as a matter of course, not an upsell.

What's included in the process

• Full tear-off to the deck, with deck inspection and any needed sheathing replacement priced separately and in writing before work starts
• Ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment everywhere else
• New flashing at every chimney, vent, skylight, and wall transition
• Ridge and soffit ventilation checked and corrected where undersized — poor attic ventilation is a direct contributor to ice dams
• Magnetic nail sweep of the yard and driveway at completion

Choose your material

• Asphalt Shingle Roofing — the standard choice for Rockford-area homes
• Metal Roofing — standing-seam, for homeowners planning to stay put

Not sure a full replacement is what you need? Here's how to tell repair from replacement, and what a roof costs in this area going into 2026.