Laurel has some of the oldest housing stock in Prince George’s County, and this job was a good example of why those homes need a different approach than a newer build.
The roof had reached the end of its life. Rather than shingle over the existing surface, we stripped it back to the deck — and that turned out to be the right call. The sheathing underneath showed the damage you’d expect from decades of small leaks and an attic that had never been properly ventilated. We replaced the deck in full before any new material went down.
For the new roof we installed GAF architectural shingles over synthetic underlayment. Architectural shingles suit older homes well: they’re thicker and layered rather than flat, so they cast shadow lines closer to the depth of original wood or slate roofing, without slate’s cost or structural load. They also carry a much better wind rating than three-tab.
The part the homeowner will benefit from most is the one that’s hardest to see. We installed SmartVent intake ventilation at the eaves and a ridge vent at the peak, creating a complete airflow path through the attic. Most homes of this age have no functional intake ventilation at all — air sits still, heat builds under the deck in summer, and in winter warm moist air condenses on the sheathing and rots it. Balanced ventilation stops both, protects the new deck, extends shingle life, and keeps the manufacturer warranty valid. Most manufacturers won’t honour their warranty on an improperly vented attic.
The whole roof was installed by our own in-house crew. We don’t subcontract, and the owner supervised the job personally.
What we did
- Full tear-off to the deck
- Complete roof deck replacement
- Synthetic underlayment
- GAF architectural shingles
- SmartVent intake ventilation
- Ridge vent exhaust system
- Full cleanup with magnetic nail sweep
Planning similar work on an older home? We offer free roof inspections across Laurel and Prince George’s County — call (301) 674-4460 or request an estimate online.
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