When most homeowners in Hampstead, Upperco and Westminster think about a new roof, they usually focus on the shingles. While the color and style of your shingles are important for curb appeal, the shingles are actually just the “skin” of a much more complex organism.
In the Mid-Atlantic, our roofs face a brutal cycle: heavy spring “rain bombs,” humid summers, and winter ice dams. A standard “shingle-only” replacement often fails because it ignores the critical layers underneath. This is why we specialize in the CertainTeed Integrity Roof System™—a complete, engineered defense strategy for your home.
More Than Just Shingles: The Critical Layers
A high-performance roof is a multi-layered system where every component is designed to support the others. Here is the breakdown of the “hidden” technology that keeps your home bone-dry:
1. WinterGuard®: The Ice Dam Shield
Maryland winters are notorious for ice dams—where melting snow refreezes at the eaves, forcing water up under the shingles. WinterGuard® is a waterproof, “self-healing” membrane applied to the most vulnerable areas like eaves, valleys, and around chimneys. If a nail goes through it, the membrane seals around the nail to prevent a single drop of water from entering.
2. RoofRunner®: The High-Performance Underlayment
Traditional felt paper is prone to tearing and rotting. We use RoofRunner®, a lightweight, synthetic polymer-reinforced underlayment. It provides a secondary water-resistant barrier across the entire roof deck. It doesn’t absorb moisture or “wrinkle,” ensuring your shingles lay perfectly flat for decades
3. Starter Shingles: The First Line of Defense
Wind-driven rain often tries to lift the first row of shingles at the gutter line. CertainTeed’s starter shingles are specifically designed with a powerful adhesive strip to lock down the edges of your roof, preventing blow-offs during intense summer thunderstorms.
4. Ridge Vents: Letting Your Roof “Breathe”
A roof that can’t breathe will bake from the inside out. Proper ventilation removes trapped heat and moisture from your attic. Without it, your shingles will become brittle and fail years before they should, and your energy bills will skyrocket.
Why an Integrated System Justifies the Investment
It can be tempting to choose a lower bid that uses “mix-and-match” materials from different hardware stores. However, the Integrity Roof System™ is a unified product. Because every piece is made by CertainTeed to work together, you get a roof that is structurally superior.
More importantly, as a CertainTeed ShingleMaster™, Mid Atlantic Gutters and Roofing, LLC can offer the SureStart™ PLUS warranty. This isn’t just a warranty on the shingles—it covers the entire system, including labor, for up to 50 years.
Don’t Settle for Just Shingles
When you invest in a full system, you aren’t just paying for a “new look”—you are paying for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is protected by the best engineering in the industry.