The most popular roofing choice in Pennsylvania — durable, attractive, and proven in our climate. Cool Water Roofing installs and replaces asphalt shingle roofs across York County with quality materials and clean craftsmanship.
Asphalt shingles have been the dominant roofing material in Pennsylvania for good reason. They perform well across a wide range of weather conditions — handling snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles, summer heat, and driving rain — while offering more color and style options than any other material. They're also repairable: if a section of shingles is damaged, you don't have to replace the whole roof.
For steep-slope residential roofs throughout York County, Hanover, and Spring Grove, architectural asphalt shingles are our recommendation for most homeowners. They outperform older 3-tab shingles in every measurable way, and the gap in cost has narrowed considerably over the years.
If you're choosing between 3-tab and architectural shingles for a replacement, here's what you need to know:
For most York County homeowners doing a full replacement, we recommend architectural shingles. The additional cost over 3-tab is modest compared to the improvement in longevity, performance, and curb appeal. We don't push upgrades for the sake of it — but this one genuinely pays off over the life of the roof.
We work primarily with GAF and CertainTeed shingles — two of the most respected names in the industry, with established manufacturing quality and strong warranty programs. Both brands offer extensive color palettes, designer lines for premium curb appeal, and impact-resistant options that may qualify you for a homeowner's insurance discount in PA.
When you're choosing a color, we can help you think through what will complement your home's exterior, hold up well aesthetically over time, and potentially affect your home's heat absorption characteristics (lighter colors reflect more heat in summer).
Shingles get all the attention, but the underlayment system beneath them is what truly determines a roof's long-term performance. A proper asphalt shingle installation includes:
We include all of these on every installation. Cutting corners on the underlayment system to hit a lower bid price is false economy — it costs you years off the roof's life.
Not every shingle problem requires a full replacement. If your roof is under 15 years old and the damage is limited to a specific area, targeted repair is almost always the right call. If it's over 20 years old with widespread wear — granule loss across the field, curling or cupping across multiple areas, or multiple sections with damage — a full replacement is the smarter investment. We'll tell you honestly which situation you're in during a free inspection.
Properly installed 30-year architectural shingles on a correctly ventilated Pennsylvania roof typically last 25–35 years. Older 3-tab shingles installed without modern underlayment systems may last only 15–20 years. Key factors that affect lifespan include attic ventilation (the most important factor), installation quality, roof pitch and sun exposure, and how many ice events occur. We always assess ventilation as part of any installation to maximize the life of your new roof.
3-tab shingles are a single-layer product with a flat, uniform look and a 25-year warranty rating. Architectural (or dimensional) shingles are thicker, two-layer products with a textured appearance, better wind resistance (typically 110+ mph vs. 60–70 mph for 3-tab), and a 30-year warranty rating. In real-world conditions, architectural shingles last significantly longer. For most replacement projects, the modest cost difference makes architectural the clear choice.
Both GAF and CertainTeed offer extensive color palettes — from classic charcoal and weathered wood tones to slate grays, tan blends, and bolder options. We can show you samples and help you visualize what will look best with your home's exterior. Lighter colors tend to reflect more heat, which can be a meaningful benefit in PA summers. Impact-resistant shingle options are also available in both brands if you're looking for better hail resistance.
Repair makes sense when your roof is under 15 years old and the damage is localized — a section of wind damage, a few missing shingles, a failed flashing area. Replacement makes more sense when the roof is 20+ years old with widespread granule loss or curling, when you've had multiple repairs in the past few years, or when the overall shingle coverage is compromised across large areas. We'll give you an honest read on this during a free inspection — no upsell pressure.
Yes — every asphalt shingle installation we do includes both the manufacturer's product warranty (typically 30 years on architectural shingles) and our workmanship warranty covering the installation itself. We'll explain the specific terms of both before any work begins. Quality installation is what allows manufacturers' warranties to stay valid, which is one reason we don't cut corners on the underlayment system, flashing, or ventilation.
Free inspection and honest advice. We'll tell you what your roof actually needs — nothing more, nothing less.