Metal is our specialty, but asphalt shingle roofing still makes sense for plenty of Minnesota and Wisconsin homes. It costs less up front, it suits almost every roof line, and modern impact-resistant products hold up far better than the shingles most people remember. So if asphalt is the right call for your budget, we install it properly rather than talking you out of it.
When Asphalt Shingle Roofing Is the Right Choice
Asphalt wins on a few fronts. First, the up-front cost is roughly a third to half of metal. Second, it works on complex roof lines with many valleys, dormers and penetrations. Third, insurance replacement after a storm often covers most of the cost, which changes the calculation entirely. Because of that, a homeowner with an approved claim frequently comes out ahead staying with asphalt.
Choose Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles
If you are replacing asphalt in hail country, upgrade the rating. Class 4 shingles are tested against two-inch steel balls dropped at 90 mph, and they use a modified rubberized asphalt that flexes on impact instead of fracturing. In addition, many carriers in both states discount premiums 20 to 30 percent for Class 4 products. Therefore the upgrade often pays for itself well before the roof wears out.
What a Proper Asphalt Shingle Roofing Job Includes
Most of what fails on a roof is not the shingle. It is everything underneath and around it. Every job we do includes:
- Full tear-off to the deck, so we can see and replace rotted sheathing
- Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys and around every penetration — critical in our climate
- Synthetic underlayment across the field rather than felt
- New flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights, not reused flashing
- Starter strip and ridge cap matched to the shingle system so the warranty holds
- Balanced ventilation, because inadequate airflow voids most manufacturer warranties
How Long It Lasts Here
Manufacturers rate architectural shingles for 30 to 50 years. However, in Minnesota and Wisconsin the realistic service life is 15 to 20, because hail and freeze-thaw shorten it. That gap surprises homeowners, so we would rather say it plainly than let a brochure set the expectation.
Storm Damage and Insurance
Most asphalt roofs we replace are storm claims rather than age replacements. We inspect free, document damage in writing with dated photographs, and meet your adjuster on site. Read our hail claim guide before you file, since the order you do things in matters.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Across Both States
We install throughout our Minnesota and Wisconsin service areas. As a GAF Master Elite® Residential Contractor, licensed and insured in both states, we can register manufacturer warranties that many contractors cannot. Call (763) 276 – 1390 in Minnesota or (715) 501 – 7663 in Wisconsin. For neutral guidance on shingle ratings, see the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.