Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Chicago and Suburbs
Repair a few shingles or re-roof the whole house. A licensed roofer checks the deck and flashing first, then prices it.
About shingle roofing
Asphalt shingles cover the overwhelming majority of pitched roofs in the Chicago area, and for good reason: the cost, service life and repairability are hard to beat in this climate. What separates a 25-year installation from a 15-year one is almost never the shingle itself. It is the underlayment, the flashing details, the nailing pattern and the ventilation.
Manufacturer warranties are written around those details. A shingle nailed above the nailing zone, or installed over a roof with blocked intake ventilation, is not a warranty claim. It is an installation problem. Installing to the specification is the only way the warranty means anything, so ask the roofer how they handle the nailing zone and the intake ventilation.
Shingle repair and replacement
Architectural laminated shingles
Heavier, dimensional shingles with higher wind ratings and longer expected service life. The default choice for most replacements.
3-tab shingles
Lighter and less expensive, still appropriate where budget, matching an existing roof, or an association requirement calls for it.
Designer and profile shingles
Higher-end profiles that read as slate or shake, used on architecturally sensitive homes where appearance carries weight.
Shingle repair and matching
Sectional replacement matched to profile and color as closely as current supply allows.
Ventilation alignment
Ridge exhaust and soffit intake balanced so the assembly performs the way the warranty assumes.
Flashing and penetration detail
Step flashing at walls, counterflashing at chimneys, new boots at every penetration. This is where roofs leak.
Shingle work, close up
The details that decide whether a roof reaches its rated life, most of them invisible once it is finished.
Shingle roofing questions
More questions are answered on the main FAQ page.
How long does an asphalt shingle roof last in Illinois?
Generally 15 to 25 years. Architectural shingles on a well-ventilated roof with good drainage reach the top of that range and sometimes beyond. Three-tab shingles on a poorly ventilated attic can fall short of the bottom of it. Ventilation and installation quality move the number more than the shingle grade does.
Is an architectural shingle worth the extra cost over 3-tab?
In this climate, usually yes. The higher wind rating matters here, the heavier mat holds granules longer, and the cost difference is a modest share of a project where most of the money is labor and tear-off. Where it is not worth it: a small budget-constrained repair area, or matching an existing 3-tab roof.
What is the nailing zone and why does it matter?
Every shingle has a narrow band where fasteners must land. Nail above it and the shingle is held only by the tab above, which is how roofs lose shingles in a windstorm that should not have damaged them. It is also the most common reason a wind-damage warranty claim is denied.
Can I put new shingles over my old ones?
Sometimes it is permitted, but most roofers advise against it. A layover hides deck damage, traps heat that shortens the new shingles service life, and makes future repairs harder. Full tear-offs are standard on nearly all residential work.
Shingle roofing by area
Roofers cover Chicago and the surrounding suburbs across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry Counties.
Related Roofing Services
From the Roofing Education Center
Get a free shingle roof estimate
Call with the address. A licensed roofer checks the deck and flashing first, then prices the repair or new roof in writing.