5 Reasons Roofing Material
Quality Is Important

When you compare roof estimates, it's tempting to focus on the bottom line. Two quotes both say "architectural shingles," one is thousands of dollars cheaper, and the decision seems easy. But a roof isn't just shingles. It's a system of layers, and the quality of every one of them decides how long your roof lasts, how well it handles storms, and whether your warranty will actually be there when you need it.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, that matters more than most places. Our roofs deal with summer heat, heavy rain, wind-driven storms, ice dams, and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Materials that look identical on day one can perform very differently by year ten.

Here are five reasons material quality matters, plus how to tell what you're actually getting on your estimate.

Reason 1: Quality Materials Last Longer in Our Climate

The biggest difference between a cheap roof and a quality roof shows up over time.

Architectural asphalt shingles are the most common choice for homes in our area, and when they're installed and maintained properly, they typically last 25 to 30 years in this climate. Thinner, lower-grade shingles wear out faster. They lose granules sooner, become brittle, and curl or crack as they go through years of heating and cooling. Three-tab shingles, which used to be the budget standard, are now essentially obsolete for residential re-roofs because they simply don't hold up as well.

Quality shingles also come with features built for long-term performance, like algae resistance that helps prevent the dark streaks you see on so many roofs on shady, damp north-facing slopes. On Owens Corning roofs, the 25-year algae resistance coverage requires a qualifying Owens Corning hip and ridge shingle. Without it, that coverage drops to 10 years. Small details like that are exactly where material quality, and the right combination of materials, makes a difference.

If you're comparing material types, our post on the best roofing shingles for Doylestown homes breaks down asphalt, impact-resistant, metal, and other options.

Reason 2: The Layers You Can't See Prevent Most Leaks

Shingles get all the attention, but they aren't what keeps most of the water out on a bad day. The layers underneath do that work. A quality roofing system includes:

• Ice-and-water shield at the eaves, in the valleys, and around penetrations, where ice dams and heavy runoff hit hardest
• Synthetic underlayment across the rest of the roof deck as a secondary water barrier
• Drip edge along the rakes and eaves to protect the roof edge and fascia
• Custom-formed metal flashing at chimneys, skylights, valleys, and sidewalls
• Durable pipe boots around plumbing vents, since rubber collars commonly crack at around 10 to 12 years

This is where low bids often cut corners. Skipping ice-and-water shield in the valleys, reusing old flashing, or using the thinnest underlayment available can save a contractor money today and cost you a leak later. Flashing in particular is where most leaks actually start, so it's worth asking exactly what your estimate includes. Every roof replacement from RAM Roofing & Exteriors includes all of the components above, along with decking repair wherever the sheathing is soft or damaged.

Want to see how all the pieces fit together? Our guide to what is included in a roof replacement walks through each one.

Reason 3: Matched Components Protect Your Warranty

Here's something most homeowners never hear: the strongest shingle warranties depend on using the manufacturer's matching components, not just its shingles.

Owens Corning is a good example. Its standard limited lifetime warranty covers the first 10 years non-prorated and excludes tear-off and disposal costs. Its extended warranties offer 50 years of non-prorated coverage that includes tear-off and disposal if required. To qualify, the roof needs a minimum number of Owens Corning components:

• System Protection: at least 3 Owens Corning components, including hip and ridge
• Preferred Protection: at least 4 components, including hip and ridge and underlayment, and it adds 10 years of workmanship coverage

Both of those extended warranties must be installed by an Owens Corning Preferred or Platinum Contractor. RAM Roofing & Exteriors is a certified Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, so we're eligible to offer them. We register your manufacturer warranty on your behalf and hand you the documentation when the job is done.

Mixing brands to save a few dollars, or using whatever underlayment is cheapest that week, can quietly drop your roof back to standard coverage. Our post on warranties and lifespan for different roofing materials covers more about how manufacturer and workmanship warranties work together.

Reason 4: Better Materials Handle Storms Better

Wind and hail are a fact of life around here, and material quality shows up fast when a storm rolls through.

• Wind resistance: Architectural shingles commonly carry wind ratings of 110 to 130 mph when installed to manufacturer specification. On Owens Corning roofs, a 160 mph rating is available when the component requirements are met and starter shingles are installed on both the eaves and rakes. All Owens Corning warranty levels include 15 years of blow-off coverage.
• Impact resistance: Impact-resistant shingles carry a Class 4 rating under UL 2218, the highest impact classification available. Some insurers offer premium discounts for Class 4 roofs, so it's worth a call to your agent.
• Sealing strength: Quality shingles bond tightly to each other once they seal, which helps keep wind from getting underneath and peeling them back.

If a storm does damage your roof, we offer around-the-clock emergency home repairs, including tarping and securing lifted shingles. And if you end up filing a claim, our insurance restoration team documents the damage and works with your adjuster. A storm claim is also the perfect time to make sure your new roof gets quality materials, not just the cheapest replacement available.

Reason 5: Quality Saves Money Over the Life of Your Roof

A cheaper roof isn't cheaper if you pay for it twice. Lower-grade materials tend to need more repairs, fail sooner, and leave you facing a full replacement years earlier than you planned. Meanwhile, every leak that slips through can damage decking, ceilings, and drywall along the way.

Quality materials also help your home look better for longer. Better shingles hold their color and dimension, resist streaking, and give your home a cleaner, more finished look. If you ever sell, a newer roof with transferable, registered warranty paperwork is a strong selling point. Owens Corning warranties can be transferred to a new owner, as long as the new owner contacts Owens Corning within 60 days of the sale.

If the upfront cost is what's holding you back, our financing options let qualified homeowners spread out payments instead of settling for lower-grade materials.

Quality Materials Still Need Quality Installation

Even the best shingles fail early if they're installed wrong. Nailing is a perfect example. On every replacement, we install architectural shingles to the manufacturer's nailing pattern, because that's what keeps the wind warranty valid. Improper nailing, mismatched components, and poor workmanship are among the most common reasons warranties get voided.

That's why our crews, not subcontractors, do the work, and why we treat manufacturer specifications as the minimum standard, not a suggestion.

How to Spot Quality on a Roofing Estimate

You don't need to be a roofer to compare quotes. Look for these details in writing:

• The exact shingle product line, not just "architectural shingles"
• The underlayment type and where ice-and-water shield will go
• Drip edge on both rakes and eaves
• New flashing at chimneys, walls, skylights, and valleys, not "reuse existing"
• Hip and ridge and starter products from the same manufacturer
• The specific warranty that will be registered, and who registers it
• Decking repair pricing, with the per-sheet cost stated up front
• Workmanship warranty terms from the contractor

If two quotes are far apart, there's usually a reason. Our post on why roofing quotes vary so much explains the most common ones.

Does Your Current Roof Need Replacing, or Just a Repair?

If your roof was built with lower-grade materials, you might be seeing early granule loss, curling shingles, or recurring leaks. That doesn't automatically mean you need a new roof. A roof under about 15 to 18 years old with isolated problems is often a good candidate for a targeted roof repair. We give honest, repair-focused recommendations and won't push a replacement your roof doesn't need.

The best way to know is a complimentary roof inspection. We'll check your shingles, flashing, decking, and gutters, and give you labeled photos and a written estimate. If drainage is part of the problem, our gutter team can help with that too.

Why Homeowners Trust RAM Roofing & Exteriors

We've been working on homes in this area since the early 1990s. Homeowners choose us because we stand behind both the materials and the work:

• Certified Owens Corning Preferred Contractor backed by manufacturer standards
• Complimentary roof inspections with detailed written estimates
• Honest, repair-focused recommendations, with no unnecessary roof replacements
• Around-the-clock emergency storm damage response
• Fully licensed and insured in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (PA072883 and NJ 13VH11020800)
• A 4.9-star Google rating from 200+ reviews. See what homeowners say on our testimonials page.

Quality Roofing Across Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester County

From our office in Doylestown, we install quality roofing systems throughout the region. That includes homeowners in Lansdale, Yardley, and Downingtown, where we see firsthand how well quality materials hold up through Pennsylvania winters, and how quickly cheaper ones don't.

Invest in a Roof That Lasts

Your roof protects everything underneath it. Choosing quality materials, installed to manufacturer standards, is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. Schedule a complimentary inspection with RAM Roofing & Exteriors, and we'll walk you through your material options, the warranty each one qualifies for, and a clear written estimate. Have questions first? Visit our FAQ.

Call (215) 315-7700 or visit our office at 52 E Oakland Ave Ste 3A, in Doylestown.