CertainTeed Landmark asphalt shingles on a North Deering, Portland home by Cardinal Exteriors

Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Cumberland County, Maine

Architectural asphalt shingle roofing in Cumberland County, Maine, including CertainTeed Landmark shingles. Tear-off, ice shield and flashing. Free estimates.

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How architectural asphalt shingle roofing actually goes together

Every architectural asphalt shingle roofing job is built in a specific order, and the layers you never see once the job is finished are what actually keep water out of the wall or roof. The diagram walks through it step by step.

Asphalt shingle roof replacement, before and after, near the Eastern Prom

How an Asphalt Shingle Roof System Works

  1. Roof deck — plywood or OSB sheathing the whole system is fastened to
  2. Ice-and-water shield — a self-sealing membrane at the eave, the spot most likely to see an ice dam
  3. Synthetic underlayment — a water-resistant layer under the shingles across the rest of the field
  4. Shingles — the visible, weather-facing layer, lapped to shed water down the slope
  5. Ridge vent — exhausts warm, moist attic air while a soffit vent below draws in fresh air

About architectural asphalt shingle roofing

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.

This page is part of our roofing work, which lists typical price ranges and materials. Other related services: roof replacement, metal roofing, vinyl siding installation, siding replacement.

What the job involves

  • 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.

Signs it is time

  • 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

What affects the price

  • 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 estimate, with a fixed-price written proposal before work starts.

Homeowner Guide

Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Underlayment, Shingle Types, and What Voids a Warranty

Asphalt shingles are still the most common roofing material in Maine for good reason — they're durable, cost-effective, and come in enough styles to fit almost any house. Most of the roofs that fail early, though, don't fail because of the shingle itself. They fail because of what's under it, or how the shingles were fastened.

Underlayment: Synthetic vs. Felt

Underlayment is the water-resistant layer between the roof deck and the shingles, covering everything the ice-and-water shield at the eave doesn't. Synthetic underlayment has largely replaced traditional asphalt-saturated felt on the roofs we install — it's lighter, tears less in the wind during installation, holds up longer if the roof sits exposed before the shingles go on, and doesn't wrinkle the way felt can when it gets wet.

Either product does its job once the shingles are on top of it, but synthetic underlayment gives us a wider weather window to finish the job and a more consistent surface for the shingles to lie flat against.

CertainTeed Landmark asphalt shingles staged for a North Deering roof replacement

CertainTeed Landmark: Specs at a Glance

Published specs for CertainTeed's Landmark architectural shingle line (confirm current terms at certainteed.com before quoting)
FeatureWhat it means
Dimensional, laminated constructionTwo shingle layers laminated together for a heavier, more textured look than a flat 3-tab shingle
Algae-resistant granulesCopper-containing granules that resist the dark algae streaking common in humid coastal climates
StreakFighter algae-resistance warrantyA dedicated warranty term specifically against algae streaking, separate from the general product warranty
Limited lifetime warrantyManufacturer's standard shingle warranty term, with wind-resistance coverage at a specified rating

3-Tab vs. Architectural (Dimensional) Shingles

  • 3-tab shingles are flat, uniform, and the least expensive option, with a shorter typical lifespan and lower wind rating than architectural shingles.
  • Architectural (dimensional) shingles are heavier, laminated, and shaped to look like natural slate or wood shake from the ground, with a longer warranty term and higher wind rating.
  • Most manufacturers, including CertainTeed, have shifted their product lineup toward architectural shingles — 3-tab options are increasingly limited.

What Voids a Shingle Warranty

Manufacturer shingle warranties are conditional on correct installation. The most common ways a warranty gets voided: nails driven above the manufacturer's nailing line or below it, over- or under-driven nail heads, and installing new shingles over an existing layer instead of a clean tear-off. Inadequate attic ventilation can also void coverage on some manufacturers' warranties, since trapped heat can shorten shingle life independent of installation quality.

Sources: CertainTeed Landmark shingles

Brand names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, shown only to identify the products discussed. Cardinal Exteriors is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these manufacturers.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing: frequently asked questions

Asphalt Shingle Roofing by town

All 38 towns we serve

Each town page covers how that town's houses, weather and permitting shape the job. See every town on our service areas page.

Google reviews

What Greater Portland homeowners say

  • John Nueslein

    December 2025 · Google

    CARDINAL EXTERIORS re-shingled my roof. Bob Proved to be Knowledgeable and Trustworthy. He was responsive to my questions and took the time to explain the materials being used and the steps they were taking to weatherproof the roof of my home. The work crew was polite and they cleaned up the job site at the end of each work day.

  • Andrew Mountcastle

    May 2026 · Google

    We hired Cardinal Exteriors to reside our house and install all new windows, and it was a terrific experience from start to finish! Bob was one of the very best contractors we've ever worked with (and we've worked with many over the years). He was extremely responsive, helpful, respectful of wishes and concerns, and never pressured us in any way.

  • Steve Kelley

    October 2025 · Google

    Bob @ Cardinal Exteriors replace 26 windows and resided our office building in Westbrook in 2025. Being in the construction business, we understand how proposals sometimes come with change orders and surprises if not outlined up front. Bob and his team finished our job on schedule and actually below budget.

Get a free architectural asphalt shingle roofing estimate

Tell us about the house and what you want changed. One of the owners will call to set up a visit, measure, and write a fixed-price proposal. No pressure, no obligation.

Need it today?Call Mike (207) 408-5388

or Bob at (207) 252-0759