Stage 1
Curling & Lifting Shingles
Wind-driven rain finds the gap between curled shingles and the underlayment. From the ground it looks fine. From above, the seal strip has already failed.
If ignored 12 months+$3,400
Bedford, NH · Serving New Hampshire, Maine & MassachusettsSchedule Free Consultation →
GAF Golden Pledge®Certified Installer
25-Year WarrantyWorkmanship
5.0 ★ RatingVerified Reviews
1,000+ Projects6 Years
Fully InsuredLicensed Partners
Warning Signs
The damage you can't see is the damage that costs the most.
Roofs don't fail all at once. They fail quietly — in the attic, behind the flashing, beneath the shingles. By the time a homeowner sees a stain, the repair has already gotten more expensive.
The Cost of Waiting
What feels like saving money now isn't.
A roof in early trouble is the cheapest version of itself you'll ever buy. Every season it waits, the bill grows — usually faster than homeowners expect.
Address Today
Targeted repair
Replace failing seal strips, re-seat lifted shingles, re-flash the chimney, restore attic ventilation. Roof keeps its full remaining lifespan.
$1,800–$4,200
Roof life remaining · 12–18 years
In 1–3 Years
Partial replacement
Water has reached the deck in places. One slope or section must be torn off and rebuilt. Insulation likely compromised. New ventilation required.
$8,400–$14,000
Roof life remaining · 8–12 years
In 4–7 Years
Full replacement + interior
Whole roof system fails. Deck rebuilt. Drywall, paint, insulation, sometimes electrical replaced. Mold remediation likely. Insurance often disputes claims.
$22,000–$38,000+
Brand new system required
What Sets Us Apart
What others upsell, we include standard.
This is the difference between a roof that lasts the warranty and one that fails halfway through.
Typical Roofing Install
The minimum the building code allows.
3 ft ice & water at eaves onlyCode minimum — exposed in heavy storms and ice dams.
15-lb felt underlaymentTears in wind, absorbs water, degrades within years.
Thin aluminum step flashingBends, corrodes, separates from chimney over time.
Low-flow box ventsInsufficient airflow — attic overheats and shingles fail early.
1-year workmanship warrantyIf something fails after year one, it's your problem.
The Homeowner's Roofing Field Guide
Everything that goes into a roof that actually lasts.
No jargon, no sales pitch — just the real engineering behind a quality roof. Explore how ventilation, materials, structure, and installation work together. The more you know, the better decision you'll make.
Roof Ventilation Systems
A balanced roof breathes — intake low, exhaust high.
Cool, fresh air enters at the soffits (intake) and warm, moist air escapes at the ridge (exhaust). That continuous airflow prevents ice dams, pulls heat out in summer, stops moisture and mold in winter, and can add 5–7 years to shingle life.
✓ Properly Ventilated
- Cooler in summer
- Prevents ice dams
- Stops mold and rot
- Extends roof life
✗ Poorly Ventilated
- Hotter attic, higher bills
- Moisture buildup
- Mold and rot risk
- Ice dams and failure
Common ventilation components
IntakeSoffit Vent
Located in the eaves. Lets cool outside air enter the attic.
ExhaustRidge Vent
Runs along the peak. Lets warm, moist air escape. The gold standard.
EitherGable Vent
Set in gable ends. Can serve as intake or exhaust depending on design.
ExhaustRoof Louver
Box-style vent that exhausts hot air and moisture from the roof field.
CautionAttic Fan
Only use with adequate intake or it pulls conditioned air from the house.
IRC Ventilation Requirements
1/150 rule — 1 sq ft of net free vent area per 150 sq ft of attic floor (balanced intake + exhaust).
1/300 rule — allowed when at least 50% of the venting is exhaust placed near the ridge.
| Attic | 1/150 | 1/300 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.7 sq ft | 3.3 sq ft |
| 1,500 sq ft | 10.0 sq ft | 5.0 sq ft |
| 2,000 sq ft | 13.3 sq ft | 6.7 sq ft |
| 2,500 sq ft | 16.7 sq ft | 8.3 sq ft |
Split total vent area roughly evenly between intake (soffit) and exhaust (ridge).
Common mistakes we fix
No intake / blocked soffits
Exhaust without intake
Relying on gable vents alone
Insulation blocking soffits
Bath fans venting into attic
Powered fan with no intake
Six ways to roof a New England home.
The right material depends on your budget, home style, roof slope, climate, and how long you plan to stay.
Asphalt Shingles
Architectural
20–30 yrsFiberglass shingles with protective granule surface — most popular residential roof.
✓ Affordable, many colors · Easy to repair · Good wind resistance
✗ Shorter lifespan · Can blow off in high winds
Best for Most residential homes with pitched roofs.
Cedar Shakes
& Shingles
25–40 yrsNatural wood shingles with a classic, rustic, high-end appearance.
✓ Natural beauty & insulation · Long life with upkeep · Eco-friendly
✗ High maintenance · Fire risk, can warp/split
Best for High-end homes, cabins, historic properties.
Metal Roofing
Standing Seam
40–70+ yrsSteel or aluminum panels with concealed fasteners and clean vertical seams.
✓ Excellent for snow & ice · Fire resistant · High wind resistance
✗ Higher upfront cost · Needs skilled install
Best for Snowy regions, modern designs, coastal areas.
Slate Roofing
Natural Stone
75–150+ yrsNatural stone roofing prized for unmatched durability and timeless beauty.
✓ Fireproof, extremely durable · Raises home value
✗ Very expensive & heavy · Specialized labor required
Best for Historic & luxury homes, long-term investments.
Rubber (EPDM)
Membrane
30–50 yrsSynthetic rubber membrane ideal for flat or low-slope roofs.
✓ Very durable, low cost · Flexible in cold · Easy to repair
✗ Black surface absorbs heat · Seams can fail over time
Best for Flat/low-slope roofs, garages, additions.
TPO Roofing
Single-Ply
20–30 yrsHeat-weldable membrane with a reflective surface for energy efficiency.
✓ Reflective — saves energy · Heat-welded seams · Resists UV
✗ Seams must be heat welded · Not ideal for steep slopes
Best for Flat/low-slope commercial & energy-efficient projects.
Lifespan at a glance
Notes for the New England climate
Choose materials that handle freeze/thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, high winds, and moisture. Proper underlayment, ventilation, and ice & water protection matter more than the shingle itself — and snow guards are worth it on metal roofs above entrances, walkways, and driveways.
A roof is a system — each part has one job.
Water shedding, water barrier, structural support, and ventilation all work together. Weak or missing components are where leaks start. Click a layer to learn more.
1
Ridge Cap Shingles
Cover and protect the peak
Cover the ridge and hip lines, shedding water and protecting the ridge vent from wind and weather.
2
Shingles
Primary weatherproofing
The visible protective layer — protects the deck from rain, wind, UV, and impact. Premium shingles are wind-rated to 130+ mph and Class A fire-rated.
3
Synthetic Underlayment
Secondary water barrier
Water-resistant barrier over the full deck. Tear-resistant, heat-stable, and fast-draining. If a shingle ever fails, this is what keeps water off the deck.
4
Ice & Water Shield
Eaves, valleys, penetrations
Self-adhering membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations — stops ice-dam and wind-driven rain leaks. Code: 3 ft minimum. Ironwood standard: full eave + all valleys and penetrations.
5
Roof Decking
Structural foundation
Plywood or OSB — the structural foundation and nailing surface. Must be dry, solid, and uncupped. We inspect every inch during tear-off and replace compromised sections before building above.
6
Rafters / Trusses
Load-bearing framework
The framework that supports the deck and transfers wind, snow, and weight loads to the walls. Structural issues here require a contractor and possibly an engineer.
7
Insulation
Thermal management
Keeps conditioned air in and works with ventilation to manage attic temperature and moisture. Compressed or wet insulation must be replaced — it loses its R-value and can harbor mold.
8
Ceiling Drywall
First sign of a hidden leak
The finished interior surface — the first place a hidden roof leak eventually shows itself. By the time a stain appears, damage above has typically been going on for months.
Water management components most installers rush
Drip Edge
Metal at eaves & rakes that directs water into the gutters and protects the fascia.
Valley Flashing
Metal where two roof planes meet — channels high water volume safely off the roof.
Step & Counter Flashing
Stepped metal at roof-to-wall joints, sealed into chimney mortar to keep water out.
Pipe Boots
Flexible flashing around plumbing vent pipes — a top source of slow leaks when they fail.
Common roof slopes (rise:run)
2:12–4:12 Low Slope
4:12–7:12 Standard
8:12–12:12 Steep
12:12+ Very Steep
Pro tip. Never rely on caulk or sealant as the primary waterproofing method. Proper flashing and system components are what keep water out for decades.
Fifteen steps. No corners cut.
A roof is only as good as its installation. This is the sequence every Ironwood Home Solutions roof follows — the same process that separates a roof that lasts the full warranty from one that fails halfway through.
- 01Site Prep & ProtectionProtect landscaping, siding, windows, and driveways. Set up safety equipment and dumpsters.
- 02Tear Off Old RoofRemove old shingles, underlayment, and flashing down to the deck. Never roof over old shingles.
- 03Inspect & Repair DeckCheck for soft spots, rot, and water damage. Replace compromised decking so the base is solid and dry.
- 04Install Drip EdgeRun drip edge along all eaves first to shed water into the gutters and protect the fascia.
- 05Ice & Water ShieldApply self-adhering membrane at eaves, valleys, and around every penetration (min. 24" inside the wall line).
- 06Install UnderlaymentLay synthetic underlayment over the field, overlapping courses per the manufacturer specification.
- 07Install Starter StripStarter shingles at eaves and rakes seal the edge and add the first layer of wind protection.
- 08Install ShinglesShingle from the bottom up following the nailing pattern, exposure, and offset the manufacturer specifies.
- 09Flashing DetailsStep flashing at walls, counter flashing on chimneys, valley flashing sealed — never caulk alone.
- 10Pipe Boots & VentsInstall pipe boots on plumbing vents and roof vents per the ventilation plan, sealed and fastened.
- 11Install Ridge VentContinuous ridge vent at the peak with verified soffit intake — and never block the airflow path.
- 12Install Ridge CapRidge cap shingles over the vent, overlapped per spec and nailed high on each side.
- 13Clean Up & Magnet SweepRemove all debris and old nails, magnetic-roll the yard and driveway, clean the gutters completely.
- 14Final InspectionInspect every detail — nailing, sealing, alignment — and confirm the whole system is watertight.
- 15Customer Walkthrough & Warranty RegistrationWalk you through the project, review warranty and care, register GAF coverage, and get final approval.
Installation best practices
Follow manufacturer instructions and local code exactly. Install a complete roof system, not just shingles. Keep the deck dry and clean, ensure proper ventilation, and stand behind the work with a real warranty.
Mistakes that void warranties
Skipping ice & water shield · improper nailing · reusing old flashing · poor underlayment overlap · blocking soffit or ridge vents · installing on wet roofs · leaving debris or nails behind.
Manufacturer Partners
The brands behind every installation.
We're certified by the manufacturers we install. That means access to premium product lines, factory-trained installation standards, and the strongest warranties homeowners can get.
Golden Pledge® Certified
SELECT ShingleMaster
Preferred Contractor
Skylight Installer
A+ Accredited25
Year Workmanship
+ GAF Golden Pledge®
25-Year Workmanship Warranty
Most roofers offer a 1-year workmanship warranty. We offer 25.
Here's why that matters: manufacturer warranties cover the shingle. But 80% of premature roof failures aren't shingle failures — they're install failures. Bad ventilation, missed ice & water, improper nailing, sloppy flashing. The workmanship warranty is the one that actually protects you.
1-year is the industry standard.If something fails after 12 months, you're on your own.
10-year is "premium" for most competitors.Most local and regional roofers in New England top out here.
25-year is the Ironwood Standard.Combined with GAF's Golden Pledge® product warranty, you get total system coverage longer than any competitor in New England.
Recent Roofing Projects
Real installs. Real homes.
Each project documented with photos, materials list, and homeowner feedback.
Roofing FAQ
Honest answers to the questions homeowners actually ask.
Flexible Financing
A new roof shouldn't mean draining your savings.
We offer flexible financing so you can protect your home now and pay over time. Most homeowners qualify for low monthly payments with no money down — and 0% APR options are available for qualified buyers.
Financing subject to credit approval. Terms vary. Ask us for full details during your free inspection.
$89/moTypical roof replacement
0% APRFor qualified buyers
$0 DownNo money up front
FastQuick approval
FlexibleTerms that fit your budget
SimpleApply in minutes
Ready to Start?
Free quote. Free inspection. No obligation.
Same-day response. No pressure. We'll give you an honest read on your roof's condition — and a fixed-price quote you can take your time with.