After more than a decade working as a roofing contractor across Middle Tennessee, I’ve installed, repaired, and replaced just about every system homeowners ask for. Yet I keep coming back to asphalt shingle roofing murfreesboro tn projects more than anything else—not because it’s trendy, but because it fits the realities of this area better than many alternatives.
I’m licensed, insured, and still personally inspect roofs instead of delegating everything. That hands-on time matters. Murfreesboro roofs deal with humid summers, sudden hail, high winds that come out of nowhere, and winters that can freeze and thaw in the same week. Asphalt shingles, when chosen and installed correctly, handle those swings better than people often expect.
The first roof I ever tore off on my own was an older three-tab shingle system near the outskirts of town. The homeowner thought the roof had “just started leaking.” Once we removed the shingles, we found years of nail pops, thin decking around the valleys, and flashing that had been bent and reused twice. That job taught me early on that shingles themselves usually aren’t the real problem—installation shortcuts are.
Over the years, I’ve seen homeowners hesitate because they assume asphalt shingles are “basic” or short-lived. That hasn’t matched my experience. Modern architectural shingles are a different product than what was installed twenty or thirty years ago. Thicker mats, better granule adhesion, and improved wind ratings make a noticeable difference, especially during spring storms. I’ve gone back to inspect roofs I installed eight or nine years ago after heavy weather, and many still look solid with only minor wear.
One common mistake I see is homeowners focusing only on color or brand without understanding how the roof is built underneath. I remember a customer last spring who had beautiful new shingles installed by another crew, but within a year she noticed uneven lines and small leaks near the eaves. The issue wasn’t the shingles—it was the lack of proper drip edge and underlayment. In Murfreesboro, water doesn’t always come straight down; it pushes sideways in wind-driven rain. Asphalt shingles rely on layers working together, not just what you see from the street.
Another thing I’ve learned is that asphalt shingles are forgiving in a way metal or tile systems aren’t. That doesn’t mean sloppy work is acceptable, but it does mean repairs are usually more straightforward. I’ve replaced damaged sections after hailstorms where the rest of the roof was still in good condition. With more rigid systems, damage often means replacing entire panels or sections at a much higher cost.
Cost conversations are unavoidable, but I try to frame them realistically. I’ve had homeowners tell me they were quoted wildly different numbers for what sounded like the same job. Usually, once we compare scope, the differences make sense—tear-off versus overlay, proper ventilation versus none, new flashing versus reused metal. Asphalt shingle roofing gives flexibility in budget without forcing major compromises in performance, as long as corners aren’t cut.
Ventilation is another area where I see repeated mistakes. I’ve walked attics where the shingles were blamed for premature aging, but the real culprit was trapped heat and moisture. In one case, the shingles were curling after only a few years. Once we corrected the ventilation during the replacement, the new roof performed exactly as it should. Asphalt shingles need airflow to last, especially in Tennessee’s humidity.
I’ll be honest: asphalt shingles aren’t the right choice for every single home. If someone plans to stay in their house for decades and wants a specific look, I’ll discuss other options openly. But for most Murfreesboro homeowners who want reliability, reasonable cost, and a system that local crews know how to install properly, asphalt shingles remain a smart choice.
What keeps me recommending them isn’t loyalty to a product—it’s outcomes. Fewer callbacks, manageable repairs, and predictable performance over time. I’ve seen roofs survive storms that knocked fences down and took siding with them, simply because they were installed correctly and maintained.
If there’s one takeaway from my years on roofs around Murfreesboro, it’s this: asphalt shingles work exceptionally well here when they’re treated as a system, not just a surface. The materials matter, but the experience behind the installation matters more. I’ve watched homeowners go from frustrated to relieved once they understand that difference, and that’s usually when a roof stops being a recurring problem and starts doing its job quietly, the way it should.