Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Raymond, Maine

Architectural asphalt shingles are the everyday roof across Raymond's post-1960 homes, from the ranches and capes built through the 1970s to the roughly 22 percent of houses put up since 2000. They are cost-effective for a full re-roof on a simple gable, they come in colors that suit both a year-round colonial and a lake cottage, and a laminated shingle holds up better than the old three-tab roofs many homes still have. For a subdivision home off Route 302, asphalt is usually the budget-sensible choice.

Details decide how long it lasts here. With heavy snow and a long freeze-thaw season, an ice barrier membrane at the eaves, extending into the heated part of the house, is the first defense against ice dams, and the 2021 IRC that Raymond enforces calls for one where ice damming is a history. Houses on the Sebago shoreline see stronger gusts off the open water, so shingles with a high wind rating and the manufacturer's full nailing pattern are worth specifying. Drip edge, step flashing at walls and valley metal round out a roof that should not need attention for many years.

Census estimates put Raymond at about 3,050 housing units with a median year built of 1976. About 15 percent predate 1940 and roughly 31 percent predate 1960, while another 23 percent went up between 1960 and 1979 and about 22 percent date from 2000 or later. Around 94 percent are single-family detached houses, and roughly 90 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. The standout figure is seasonal use: about 1,010 units are held for seasonal or recreational occupancy, and the town comprehensive plan puts seasonal homes at over a third of the stock. That plan also notes the summer camps, cottages and lodges built along the lakes in the early and mid 20th century, older farmhouses at rural crossroads, and a wave of summer residents who began making Raymond their permanent home in the 1950s, which is why so many camps have been winterized and enlarged.

Raymond is inland lake country, not coast, so salt spray is not the issue. Snow and cold are. The National Weather Service forecast office sits in neighboring Gray, and its 1991-2020 normals show about 84 inches of snow a year, well above the roughly 69 inches recorded at the Portland Jetport. Much of that arrives from December through March, with repeated thaws and refreezes in between. Houses on the shore of Sebago Lake take the wind that builds across miles of open water, and because Sebago does not reliably freeze over, that open water stays exposed deep into winter. Wooded lots elsewhere in town stay damp and shaded, so north walls, roof valleys and deck boards are slow to dry after rain or melt.

Permits run through the Raymond Code Enforcement Office at the town office on Webbs Mills Road, which uses an online permitting system and books meetings by appointment. The town building code page lists building a deck as work that needs a permit, and says residing, reroofing and same-size window replacement do not, as long as no structure or required egress is changed. Allow about 48 hours for processing. Raymond enforces the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, including the 2021 IRC. Work within 100 feet of the high water mark should start with a call to the Code Enforcement Officer, since shoreland rules, and sometimes a state DEP permit, apply.

Architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingles are the most common roof in Maine for good reason: they are affordable, they come in many colors and textures, and a good system handles snow, ice and wind well. Several projects on this site used CertainTeed Landmark shingles. What separates a long-lived shingle roof from a short-lived one is mostly underneath: ice and water protection at the eaves, correct nailing, and balanced ventilation.

• Tear-off to the deck and sheathing repair where needed.
• Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys and around penetrations; underlayment over the rest.
• Starter strip and drip edge at the edges, then shingles nailed in the manufacturer's nail zone.
• Step flashing at walls, new pipe boots, and chimney flashing as needed.
• Hip and ridge caps over a ridge vent, balanced with intake at the soffits.

• Granules washing into the gutters and bald patches on the shingles
• Shingles that curl, cup, or lift in wind
• Leaks around chimneys, vents or skylights
• Moss or dark streaking on shaded slopes

• Roof area and pitch
• Shingle line and color
• Layers to tear off and deck repairs
• Flashing and ventilation work
• Number of valleys, dormers and penetrations

Every job is priced from a free on-site visit. Typical ranges for the trade are on our roofing page, and the details of this service are on the architectural asphalt shingle roofing overview.

Back to the Raymond exterior services overview, or see every town on our Cumberland County service areas page.