J McManus & Son Inc

03/14/2026

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06/16/2025

Finding a Shingle Roofing Contractor

If I wasn’t a contractor, a layman homeowner and know roofing from being second generation roofer and a family in the Home renovation and custom home construction since 1955, I would be scared to death if I had to replace my roof, if I was replacing the existing roof with shingles.

Speed:
Speed is a great thing if the install is done in the correct way. Company’s say and can do your roof in a day or 2 days, I know because I have done it or I should say used people that can do it.
If it’s a bilevel 4/6 on 12 yes no problem, But when the roof is bigger, steeper, and cut up NO!
For instance Siding/Corners need to be pulled on all end walls/side walls, iceshield installed on those walls, New step flashing needs to be installed on side walls and counter flashing on end walls. Speed usually ignores that it’s extra work, necessary work.
They reuse the existing step flashing or counter flashing or don’t even bother to take it out the trust in caulk and re use nail holes.

Big Roofing contractors are salesman they make extra money on selling or advising you that this is needed or this will enhance.
They are salesman, they need to pay there salesman, Like a car salesman or insurance salesman.
It’s a business they are in to make money, yes but to try and make more money by selling extras you really dont need, NO!

You don’t need to pay extra because they are certified for the particular brand they’re certified with extra enhancements or benefits they say you will get. It’s all BS the object is to get you to spend your money, more money !
Your average standard Architectural shingle is fine. The proof is easy they have salesman what’s a salesman do ?
Financing is a joke unless it’s 0% and the terms benefit you.
They are making a lot of money already off of you.
They need to justify their large office staff, employees, ,subcontractors,fancy advertisements,Etc.
Most of them need to do a minimum of 10 houses or more a week - Speed?
A lot of things get neglected or bypassed with speed.
They should physically inspect the roof, walk it no matter what.
They do estimates from satellite sites that tell them how much material they need for the roof
Then when they do your roof and say the opened a can of worms and see there’s a lot of bad plywood or fascia, trims, Etc. They hit you with extras $$$$$- Speed !

Find a reputable local contractor, a contractor that maybe does 10-15 houses a year and that’s going to take the time and do the job correctly, old school.
Ask your local building inspector for recommendations.

2 rows of iceshield (72”), synthetic felt, starter course, Drip edge, 1.5” roofing nails with a six nail pattern properly placed where they are supposed to be (NOT SPEED SHINGLING), ridge vent, regular hip/ridge cap, copper vent pipe flashing boots, copper or aluminum step flash, and all penetrations sealed with iceshield, and any average architectural shingle like IKO cambridge or TAMKO Heritage series. TAMKO is the only shingke company that gives a 20 year Iron clad warranty out of the gate. You dont need to use all there products on the roof to get it, you oay nothing extra its there warranty. IKO is a heaviest which I like it, its in the 250lb + per square class, everyone else is maybe 180/200lbs and IKO has a true 3 bundle to square count, No one else does. If there is on a another brand I am unaware of I stand corrected

06/16/2025

Shingle Roofing

Good shingles are in the past
Good shingles were (organic asphalt) a cardboard mat with the proper oil and tar saturated with granules.
They were able to handle the expansion and contraction of the drastic heat and cold. The proper recipe in making a true orgainic shingle is long gone.
With the oil crunch and rising prices they started using less of the right ingredients by using fillers for a properly made shingle whether it be a 3 tab or Architectural. Result shingles cooked and lasted maybe 8-10 years.
We had roofs that had lasted 45 years with true organic asphalt and they were considered a 25 or 30 year shingle

The cheapest and lightest gauge roofing, which is called an Agricultural panel with exposed fasteners is better than any shingle on the market lifetime, limited life time, etc, the metal (Galvalume) is a true life time expectation.
Shingles now come with a lifetime, limited lifetime, or what ever year warranty they want to tell you, you will never get a true warranty of what they state, No matter what ! They do nothing to the shingle to enhance its longevity. You pay $$$$ for the expected longevity.
The best you will get is a 20 year supposedly Iron clad warranty if you use all of there products on the roof and your installer is a certified installer of there product. Which is BS, to get certified you fill out a piece of paper and pay a fee so you can have signs that say it and letter your truck that say you’re a certified installer of the brand.
You get pro rated at 51% after 20 years which your roof value will turn to Pennie’s and a warranty you could use as toilet paper.

Yes the aesthetic look of architectural shingles is more appealing and enhances the look of your home. If the aesthetics are more appealing to you with an architectural shingle, so be it.
Longevity hands-down would be a metal roof and again the cheapest metal roof with exposed fasteners is better than any architectural shingle on the market and any warranty. They will try to sell you for it.

12/30/2022

From all of us at J McManus & Son we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year

12/23/2022

From all of us here at J McManus & Son to you and your families Have a safe and wonderful Merry Christmas, and happy holidays.

11/24/2022

We wish everyone a very happy thanksgiving. 🦃 we hope you all enjoy the time with friends and family.

11/11/2022

10/30/2022

This A Frame in Prattsville NY is getting a whole new look! What do you think?