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After more than ten years working as a licensed roofing contractor in Rutherford County, I’ve spent a large part of my career dealing specifically with asphalt shingle roofing murfreesboro tn homeowners rely on. I’ve installed these roofs in quiet subdivisions, repaired them after sudden spring storms, and torn off plenty that failed long before they should have. That mix of outcomes is exactly why I still have strong opinions about asphalt shingles—both when they’re a good choice and when they’re not.
Early in my career, I worked on a reroof for a couple who thought their shingles were defective because they were curling after only a few seasons. Once we pulled sections back, the issue was obvious. The shingles were nailed too high, the attic ventilation was barely functioning, and heat had been cooking the roof from underneath. I’d already completed my state-required licensing and safety training by then, but that job drove home something no classroom ever could: asphalt shingles don’t fail randomly. They fail because of specific, repeatable mistakes.
Murfreesboro weather plays a big role in that. We get heavy rain that doesn’t always fall straight down, strong gusts that test nail placement, and long humid stretches that trap moisture where it doesn’t belong. Asphalt shingles can handle those conditions well, but only if the roof system is built properly. I’ve gone back to homes years after installation—especially ones near open farmland or higher elevations—and found shingles still lying flat because the underlayment, flashing, and ventilation were done right from the start.
One thing I regularly caution homeowners about is assuming all shingles are basically the same. A customer last fall chose the cheapest option available because the samples “looked fine.” Less than a year later, after a windstorm, we were replacing missing tabs and resealing lifted edges. Thinner shingles with lower wind ratings just don’t perform the same here. In my experience, spending a bit more on architectural shingles often saves several thousand dollars in repairs and frustration over the life of the roof.
I’ve also seen homeowners unintentionally shorten the lifespan of a good asphalt shingle roof by stacking new shingles over old ones. I understand the appeal—it’s faster and usually cheaper upfront—but I rarely recommend it. Trapped heat, uneven surfaces, and hidden deck issues almost always show up later. I remember one roof where we discovered soft decking only because the homeowner finally agreed to a full tear-off after repeated leaks. If we’d layered over it again, that problem would have stayed hidden until the damage spread.
Despite those pitfalls, asphalt shingles remain one of the most practical roofing choices in Murfreesboro. Repairs are manageable, materials are readily available, and most experienced crews know how to work with them efficiently. I’ve patched storm damage where only a small section needed attention, rather than replacing an entire roof system. That flexibility matters, especially for homeowners who don’t want surprises every time bad weather rolls through.
What keeps me recommending asphalt shingles isn’t habit—it’s consistency. I’ve seen them hold up well on homes I installed years ago, even after hail, wind, and temperature swings. I’ve also seen them fail quickly when shortcuts were taken. The difference is almost never the shingle itself; it’s the decisions made during installation.
From years on ladders and in attics around Murfreesboro, I’ve learned that asphalt shingle roofing works best when it’s treated as a complete system, not just a surface covering. When that happens, the roof tends to disappear into the background of daily life, doing its job quietly without demanding constant attention. That’s usually the sign it was done right.
