Shingle Roofs in Brooklyn, NY: Repairs, Re-Roofs and New Roofs
Most of Brooklyn sits under flat roofs, but thousands of detached and semi-detached homes in Marine Park, Mill Basin, Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge, Midwood and the Victorian blocks of Ditmas Park have pitched asphalt shingle roofs. All State Roofing – Brooklyn repairs, replaces and installs shingle roofs across the borough, with the underlayment, flashing and nailing details that hold up to coastal wind and Brooklyn winters.
- Brooklyn roofers since 1997
- Detached & semi-detached homes
- Photos before and after
- Competitive rates
Shingle Roof Services for Brooklyn Homes
One missing tab after a windstorm or a full tear-off on a 1950s house in Marine Park, we handle the whole range.
Shingle roof repair
Missing, cracked or wind-lifted shingles replaced and sealed, nail pops fixed, and matching shingles used wherever they can be found. More on our roof repair services.
Leaks at valleys, chimneys and vents
Step and counterflashing at walls and chimneys, rebuilt valleys and new pipe boots, where most shingle roof leaks begin.
Re-roofs and tear-offs
Old shingles removed down to the deck, rotted boards replaced, and a complete new roof system installed in their place.
New roofs and new construction
Shingle roofs for additions, rebuilt homes and new construction, installed from the deck up.
Ridge caps and roof ventilation
Worn ridge and hip caps replaced, plus ridge vents and intake ventilation so the attic doesn’t cook the shingles from below.
Drip edge, fascia and gutters
Metal drip edge at eaves and rakes, rotted fascia boards replaced and gutters reset so water leaves the roof cleanly.
Wind and storm damage
Shingles torn off by nor’easters and coastal storms replaced, with a tarp first if the weather won’t allow a permanent repair.
Skylights on pitched roofs
Skylight curbs reflashed or units replaced while the shingles are open, so the roof and skylight are sealed as one system.
Shingle roof inspections
Photos and a written condition report for buyers, sellers, insurers and owners after a storm.
Brooklyn Neighborhoods Where Shingle Roofs Are Common
Pitched shingle roofs cluster in Brooklyn’s detached-home neighborhoods, and each area wears them out in its own way.
| Neighborhood | ZIP | Typical homes | What we watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Park | 11234 | Post-war detached homes | Aging original-style roofs, layered re-roofs, worn ridge caps |
| Mill Basin & Bergen Beach | 11234 | Larger detached homes on Jamaica Bay | Wind uplift at edges, salt air on flashing and fasteners |
| Gerritsen Beach | 11229 | Homes rebuilt and repaired after Hurricane Sandy | Storm exposure, wind-driven rain at walls and eaves |
| Manhattan Beach & Sea Gate | 11235 11224 | Detached homes facing the ocean | Ocean wind, lifted tabs, corroded flashing |
| Dyker Heights | 11228 | Detached homes with pitched roofs | Complex rooflines, valleys and chimney flashing |
| Bay Ridge & Fort Hamilton | 11209 | Detached homes alongside limestone rows | Wind off the Narrows near Shore Rd |
| Ditmas Park & Prospect Park South | 11218 11226 | Detached Victorians with steep roofs | Heavy tree cover, clogged gutters, historic district rules |
| Midwood & Fiske Terrace | 11230 | Detached and attached homes | Valleys, dormers and moss on shaded slopes |
We install and repair shingle roofs everywhere in Brooklyn, plus nearby parts of Queens and Staten Island, where detached homes are common.
What Goes Into a Shingle Roof Done Right
The shingles are the part you see. Most leaks and early failures come from the layers underneath and the details at the edges. This is what a complete shingle roof installation includes.
- 01
A solid roof deck
Every soft or rotted board or sheet of plywood is replaced before anything goes on top. Shingles nailed into a bad deck won’t hold.
- 02
Metal drip edge
At the eaves and rakes, so water drips clear of the fascia instead of wicking back into the wood.
- 03
Ice and water barrier
Self-adhering membrane along the eaves, in valleys and around penetrations, where ice and wind-driven rain push water uphill.
- 04
Underlayment
Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck as a second line of defense under the shingles.
- 05
Starter strip and shingles
A starter course at the edges, then architectural shingles nailed to the manufacturer’s pattern, which is what their wind rating depends on.
- 06
Flashing, valleys and boots
New step and counterflashing at walls and chimneys, properly built valleys and new pipe boots, not old metal reused.
- 07
Ridge cap and ventilation
Ridge caps over a ridge vent, balanced with intake at the soffits, so attic heat and moisture can escape.
Choosing the Right Shingle Roof for a Brooklyn Home
Architectural or 3-tab shingles: which is better for Brooklyn?
For most Brooklyn homes, architectural (also called dimensional or laminated) shingles. They’re thicker, carry higher wind ratings when installed to the manufacturer’s nailing pattern, and hide the small dips in an older roof deck better than flat 3-tab shingles. Most homeowners we work with choose them for both looks and durability.
Can new shingles go over my old roof?
Building codes allow at most two layers of asphalt shingles, and a new layer can’t go over a roof that already has two. Even when one more layer is allowed, we usually recommend a tear-off: it lets us see and replace rotted decking, install new underlayment and flashing, and avoid adding weight to an older structure.
Do I need a permit to replace a shingle roof in NYC?
Full roof replacements generally need a Department of Buildings permit, while small repairs generally don’t. In historic districts like Ditmas Park, Prospect Park South and Fiske Terrace–Midwood Park, changes visible from the street, such as a new roofing material or color, may also need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval. We tell you what applies before we quote.
Does NYC’s cool-roof rule apply to shingle roofs?
NYC’s reflective cool-roof requirement is aimed at low-slope, flat roofs. Standard pitched shingle roofs on houses generally aren’t affected, so you can choose your shingle color, though lighter colors can still help keep an attic cooler.
Picking a shingle color?
Look at the color on a full roof, not just a sample board, and check what neighbors on the block have. On landmarked blocks, get the color approved before ordering.
Shingle Roof Repair or Replacement? Read the Signs
You can spot most of these from the yard, a window or the attic. Here’s what each sign usually means.
| What you notice | What it usually means | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| A few shingles missing after a storm | Wind lifted tabs that weren’t sealed or nailed well | Repair |
| Leak around a chimney, wall or skylight | Failed step flashing or counterflashing | Repair |
| Leak in a valley | Worn or poorly built valley, debris buildup | Repair |
| Cracked rubber boot around a vent pipe | Sun-damaged boot letting water down the pipe | Repair |
| Granules piling up in the gutters | Shingles wearing out across the roof | Plan ahead |
| Curling, cupping or cracked shingles everywhere | End of service life, often with poor attic ventilation | Replace |
| Sagging roofline or soft spots | Rotted decking or structural problems underneath | Replace |
| Daylight or water stains in the attic | Holes or widespread leaks through the roof | Replace |
What Brooklyn’s Weather Does to a Shingle Roof
A shingle roof in Brooklyn takes coastal wind, nor’easters, freeze-thaw winters and humid summers. These are the details that matter here.
Coastal wind
Hurricane Sandy in 2012 hit Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Sea Gate and the Jamaica Bay shore hard. Homes near the water need edges, starter strips and nailing done exactly to spec.
Nor’easters
Long, wind-driven rain pushes water sideways under shingles and flashing. Ice and water barrier at eaves and valleys is the backup.
Freeze-thaw and ice
Snow melting and refreezing at the eaves can back water up under the shingles. Ventilation and an eave membrane prevent most of it.
Tree-covered blocks
Leaves and branches over Ditmas Park, Midwood and Kensington clog gutters and valleys and keep slopes damp, wearing shingles faster.
Summer heat in the attic
A poorly vented attic bakes shingles from below in July and August, shortening their life even when they look fine from the street.
Historic districts
In landmarked areas, the roof’s look matters. Material and color changes visible from the street may need LPC approval first.
Our Shingle Roof Replacement Process
A typical re-roof on a Brooklyn house, from the first look to the last nail picked up off the driveway.
- 01
Inspection and written quote
Roof, attic, flashing and gutters checked, photos taken and a line-item quote with shingle line, ventilation and per-sheet decking price.
- 02
Permits and scheduling
Any DOB permit or Landmarks filing handled, and a start date set around the weather.
- 03
Protection and tear-off
Landscaping, siding and windows covered, then the old roof stripped down to the deck.
- 04
Deck repair and new roof system
Bad boards replaced, then drip edge, ice and water barrier, underlayment, flashing, shingles, ridge vent and caps.
- 05
Cleanup and walk-through
Debris hauled away, the yard swept with a magnet for nails, and before-and-after photos handed over.
What Affects the Cost of a Shingle Roof in Brooklyn?
Every house is different, so we price shingle roofs after seeing them. These are the factors that move the number up or down.
- Roof size: measured in squares, where one square covers 100 square feet.
- Pitch and height: steep Victorian roofs and three-story homes take more safety setup and labor.
- Layers to remove: two old roofs cost more to tear off and haul away than one.
- Decking: how many rotted boards or sheets need replacing once the old roof is off.
- Details: chimneys, skylights, dormers and valleys each need their own flashing work.
- Shingle line and ventilation: the product you choose and any ridge or soffit vent upgrades.
- Access and permits: where the dumpster can go, a narrow driveway, and any DOB or Landmarks filings.
Comparing shingle roof quotes?
Make sure each one says whether it’s a tear-off or a layover, names the shingle line, includes new flashing and ice and water barrier, and states a price for replacement decking. Quotes that skip those aren’t apples to apples.
Get a written shingle roof quote
Inspection, photos and a line-item price from All State Roofing – Brooklyn, a Brooklyn roofing company since 1997.
Get an Estimate Now“Larry, John, and crew did an amazing job replacing the roof in our newly purchased brownstone in Brooklyn.”
“You can talk to John and ask him any questions you have… The job was done on time and left very clean.”
Read more on our customer reviews page.
Shingle Roof Questions From Brooklyn Homeowners
Answers from a Brooklyn roofing company that has worked on the borough’s homes since 1997. Learn more about All State Roofing – Brooklyn.
How long does it take to replace a shingle roof on a Brooklyn house?
It depends on the size of the roof, how many layers come off, how much decking needs replacing and the weather. We give you a schedule in the written quote, and once the old roof is off we keep the house protected until the new one is sealed.
Can you repair just a few shingles instead of replacing the roof?
Yes. If the damage is limited to a few shingles, a flashing detail or a vent boot and the rest of the roof is in good shape, a repair is the right call. We’ll tell you honestly if the roof is too worn for repairs to hold.
Will new shingles match my old ones?
Often close, but rarely perfect. Shingle colors get discontinued and older shingles fade, so a repair can look slightly different at first. On a front-facing slope we’ll talk through options before we start.
Do you install new shingles over the old roof?
We generally recommend a full tear-off. Codes allow at most two layers of asphalt shingles, and tearing off lets us replace rotted decking and install new underlayment and flashing instead of covering problems up.
What kind of shingles do you install?
Mostly architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingles from leading manufacturers, installed to the manufacturer’s nailing and underlayment requirements. We’ll show you colors and product options with your quote.
Do I need a permit to replace my shingle roof?
Full roof replacements in NYC generally need a Department of Buildings permit, and homes in historic districts may need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for visible changes. Small repairs generally don’t need a permit. We handle the filings when they’re required.
Can you work on steep Victorian roofs in Ditmas Park?
Yes. Steep roofs take more setup, fall protection and care around trim and dormers, which we account for in the quote. Many of these homes are in historic districts, so we check Landmarks requirements too.
Why do shingles blow off in storms?
Usually because they were nailed too high, with too few nails, or the seal strips never bonded. Edges and ridges take the most wind, so starter strips and correct nailing there matter most, especially near the water.
Can a shingle roof be installed in winter?
Yes, with care. Shingle seal strips need warmth to bond, so in cold weather some shingles may need to be hand-sealed, and we schedule around snow and ice. Emergency repairs can be done year-round.
Do you fix chimney and skylight leaks on shingle roofs?
Yes. Leaks around chimneys and skylights usually come from step flashing and counterflashing, which we replace, and during a re-roof we reflash them as part of the job.
Which areas do you serve for shingle roofing?
All of Brooklyn, including Marine Park, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge, Midwood and Ditmas Park, plus nearby parts of Queens and Staten Island.
Is All State Roofing – Brooklyn connected to Allstate Insurance?
No. All State Roofing – Brooklyn is an independent Brooklyn roofing contractor and is not affiliated with Allstate Insurance.
Ready for a Shingle Roof That Stays Put When the Wind Blows?
Repairs, re-roofs and new shingle roofs across Brooklyn, with every layer done right and a written price before work starts. Call All State Roofing – Brooklyn today.
All State Roofing – Brooklyn
235 43rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Emergency roof calls taken