Tear off instead of a second layer
Some jurisdictions allow a new layer of shingles over an old one, and it is almost always the wrong choice. It hides whatever condition the decking is actually in, adds extra weight to the roof frame, and shortens the life of the new shingles because they cannot lie flat against the older, uneven surface underneath. Every replacement we do strips down to the deck so it can be inspected properly and any damaged sheets replaced before anything new goes on top.
Older homes around Elizabeth and Linden sometimes have plank decking with gaps between the boards rather than plywood sheets, which occasionally needs an overlay layer added so the new shingle nails have something solid to bite into.
The layers that go on before the shingles
Drip edge goes on at the eaves first, followed by an ice and water membrane along the eaves and inside every valley, which matters more here than it might in a drier climate given how often the region sees freeze and thaw cycles through the winter. Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck, drip edge goes over it at the rakes, and a starter strip runs along the eaves so the first course of shingles seals properly against wind.
Step flashing and counter flashing follow at every wall and chimney, and ridge vent and caps finish the job at the top. Each layer is solving a specific failure mode, and skipping one to save time tends to cost years off the roof's life.
Shingles and wind exposure near the water
Elizabeth and Linden both sit close enough to the Arthur Kill and the wider harbor that wind off the water is a real factor, more than it would be further inland. Architectural shingles carry higher wind ratings than older three tab styles and hide small imperfections in the deck better, which is why they are the standard choice here. The wind rating only holds if the nailing pattern is correct and the right number of nails are used, which is where a lot of lower quality installs actually fall short even when the shingle brand itself is fine.
Ventilation as part of the job
A replacement is the right moment to fix attic ventilation if it has never been addressed. Continuous ridge vent paired with clear soffit intake moves air through the attic space, which lowers summer attic temperatures and reduces the winter condensation that can rot decking from underneath without ever showing an obvious leak from outside.
What you get at the end of the job
You receive the photo record from tear off through completion, the manufacturer warranty registration paperwork, and a plain note on what was done with the ventilation and flashing details. A final sweep of the yard and driveway with a magnet for stray nails is the last thing done before the crew leaves the site.