Three months ago, Mrs. Rodriguez from Garden City called us at 2 AM. Her 15-year old asphalt shingles had given up during that nasty spring storm, and water was dripping into her kitchen. By sunrise, our crew was on her roof installing premium architectural shingles that’ll protect her family for the next 30 years. That’s what we do here in Hempstead – we fix roofing problems fast and make sure they don’t happen again.
I’m Mike from R&M Roofers LLC, and my partner Rob and I have been installing architectural shingles across Nassau County since 2018. We’ve worked on everything from tiny Cape Cod homes in West Hempstead to massive colonials near Eisenhower Park. When your neighbors ask “who does the best roofing work around here?” – they usually hear our name.
Here’s something most roofing companies won’t tell you: those cheap 3-tab shingles they push are basically cardboard compared to architectural shingles. We learned this the hard way back in 2019 when Hurricane Dorian hit Long Island. Every single roof we’d done with architectural shingles stayed put. Half the 3-tab roofs in Hempstead needed repairs.
Architectural shingles have two layers instead of one. The bottom layer gives you structure, the top layer gives you weather protection. They’re heavier, thicker, and designed to handle whatever nature throws at them. Plus they look way better – they’ve got that dimensional look that makes your house stand out on the block.
We install GAF Timberline HD shingles most of the time, but we also work with Owens Corning Duration and CertainTeed Landmark series. The warranty on architectural shingles runs 25-30 years compared to 15-20 for regular shingles. Do the math – you’re saving money long-term.
Roof Installation isn’t just about nailing shingles to plywood. We replace the underlayment, check all the flashing, make sure your ventilation system works right. Last month we did a complete roof installation on Maple Avenue where the previous contractor had skipped the ice and water shield. The homeowner was getting ice dams every winter. Not anymore.
Roof Repair calls keep us busy year-round. Missing shingles, loose flashing, small leaks – we fix them all. The key is catching problems early. That little water stain on your ceiling? It’s probably a $200 repair now, but it’ll be a $8,000 roof replacement if you wait six months.
Roof Replacement is what we do when repair isn’t enough. We strip everything down to the deck, replace any damaged sheathing, install proper underlayment and ventilation, then put on your new architectural shingles. Takes 2-3 days for most homes in Hempstead.
Commercial Roofing keeps our guys busy during the week. We work on strip malls along Hempstead Turnpike, office buildings, small warehouses. Commercial jobs need different materials – usually TPO or EPDM membrane – but the attention to detail is the same.
Storm Damage Repair is unfortunately a big part of our business. Between hurricanes, nor’easters, and those random summer storms that drop golf ball sized hail, roofs take a beating out here. We work with all the major insurance companies and help homeowners navigate the claims process.
Gutter Installation goes hand-in-hand with roofing work. Your gutters move water away from your foundation, but they only work if they’re installed right. We use 6-inch seamless gutters with proper hangers every 24 inches. None of that flimsy hardware store stuff.
We’ve done architectural shingle installations on practically every street in Hempstead. The houses near Hofstra University get beat up by all those college kids playing frisbee on the roof (don’t ask). The older homes down by the train station need extra care because the roof structures weren’t built for heavy shingles.
Garden City homeowners usually want premium architectural shingles – GAF Grand Sequoia or CertainTeed Grand Manor. They’re willing to pay extra for the luxury look. West Hempstead folks are more practical – they want good value and long warranties. Uniondale customers often deal with insurance claims, so we make sure all our work meets their requirements.
Weather patterns here are tricky. We get brutal nor’easters that drive rain sideways under regular shingles. Those summer thunderstorms drop hail that cracks cheap materials. Winter freeze-thaw cycles destroy anything that’s not properly installed. Architectural shingles handle all of it better than regular shingles.
Most contractors rush through shingle installation to finish jobs fast. We take our time because shortcuts cause problems later. Here’s our process:
First, we strip off all the old material and inspect your roof deck. Soft spots get replaced. Loose boards get re-nailed. We’re looking for any structural issues that could cause problems down the road.
Next comes the underlayment. We use synthetic underlayment instead of old-fashioned felt paper. It’s stronger, more waterproof, and won’t wrinkle or tear during installation. In problem areas like valleys and around chimneys, we install ice and water shield for extra protection.
Flashing comes next – those metal pieces that seal around chimneys, vents, and where different roof sections meet. This is where most leaks start, so we replace all the flashing with new materials. No shortcuts.
Then we install your architectural shingles starting from the bottom edge and working up. Each shingle gets six nails minimum – four in the nail zone, two through the overlap area. We follow the manufacturer’s specifications exactly because that’s what keeps your warranty valid.
Final step is cleanup and inspection. We pick up every nail with magnetic sweepers and check our work from ground level and up on the roof. You get photos of the finished job and copies of all warranties.
Blown-off shingles happen when the original installer didn’t use enough nails or put them in the wrong spots. High winds grab the loose edges and rip whole sections away. We see this a lot after storms.
Granule loss makes shingles look bald and reduces their weather protection. This usually means the shingles are old and need replacement, but sometimes it’s caused by walking on the roof too much or poor installation.
Curling edges let water get under the shingles. Could be poor ventilation, defective materials, or installation problems. We figure out the cause and fix it permanently.
Cracked shingles often happen when someone walks on the roof wrong or during hail storms. Individual cracked shingles can be replaced, but widespread cracking means it’s time for a new roof.
Moss growth is common in shady areas. It holds moisture against your shingles and causes them to deteriorate faster. We remove the moss and install zinc strips to prevent it from coming back.
We actually live here. Rob’s kids go to school in Garden City, my family shops at the Roosevelt Field Mall. We’re not some big company from Queens that shows up, does mediocre work, and disappears. Our reputation matters because we see our customers at the grocery store.
We guarantee our work for five years on labor, and all materials come with manufacturer warranties. If something goes wrong, we come back and fix it. No arguments, no excuses.
All our guys are employees, not subcontractors. They’re trained properly and they care about quality. We carry full insurance and workers comp coverage. You’re protected if anything goes wrong.
We give honest estimates. If your roof can be repaired instead of replaced, we’ll tell you. If you need a full replacement, we explain exactly why. No high-pressure sales tactics or inflated prices.
Free estimates take about 30 minutes. We climb up and check your roof deck, measure everything, take photos of any problems. You get a written estimate that breaks down materials and labor costs.
Most architectural shingle installations in Hempstead take 2-3 days depending on the size of your house and weather conditions. We start early and work until the job’s done right.
We handle all the permits and inspections. Nassau County requires permits for roof work, and we make sure everything meets local codes.
For insurance claims, we work directly with your adjuster and help document all the damage. We know what insurance companies look for and how to present claims properly.
Payment works however is convenient for you. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. For bigger jobs, we can set up payment schedules that work with your budget.
Ready to protect your home with quality architectural shingle installation? Call R&M Roofers LLC at [phone number] or fill out our contact form. We’ll schedule your free estimate within 48 hours and get your roofing project started right.
At R & M Roofers LLC, we’re proud to serve homeowners throughout Hempstead and the greater Long Island area. Whether you need a quick roof repair, a full replacement, or exterior upgrades, our team is here to help—professional service, honest pricing, and lasting results.