Replacement begins with a tear-off: we strip the old roof to the bare roof deck and inspect the sheathing for rot. Rotted spots get new OSB or plywood panels, and Florida building code sets the minimum fastening for what goes back on.
Under the new roof goes synthetic underlayment and, at the eaves and valleys where wind-driven rain wicks uphill, a self-adhered ice-and-water shield. That replaces the old felt and tar paper, which absorb moisture and rot out.
Drip edge, step flashing, counter-flashing, and boot flashing detail the walls, chimneys, and pipe penetrations. Where the roof meets a vertical surface, apron flashing and a bead of sealant or roof cement finish the weatherproofing.
At the peak, a ridge vent pairs with soffit vents to push 130-degree attic heat out, and ridge cap shingles close the hip and ridge. Architectural shingles like GAF Timberline, Owens Corning Duration, or CertainTeed Landmark handle Orlando's storms best.
Safety and staging matter on a two-story roof: we lean a ladder where the pitch allows, anchor fall protection with a safety harness, and stage tear-off debris in a dumpster instead of dropping it in your shrubs.
A roofing square and pry bar strip the old field course; an air compressor and nail gun drive the new fasteners. Starter course, field course, and cap go down in staggered courses so no joint lines up.
Under the shingles, the truss and rafter framing, the ridge beam, and the joists set the roof's shape and hold the insulation and its vapor barrier. If the attic has no soffit vent or attic fan, we add one, because trapped heat kills shingles early.
Roof shape changes the work. A simple gable or hip goes fast, while a mansard, gambrel, or dormer adds valleys and transitions that need extra flashing, and a low-slope overhang or awning over a carport needs waterproofing rather than shingles.
Asphalt shingle and three-tab shingle cost the least. Architectural shingle lasts longer and holds up to granule loss, while wood shake, cedar shake, slate, clay tile, and concrete tile move into premium territory. Metal panel, corrugated panel, and standing-seam panel land in between.
