Neighboring homes with charcoal and brown architectural shingle roofs and several gables

Asphalt Shingle Roofing in Chippewa Falls, WI

Architectural and Class 4 impact-resistant asphalt shingle roofs for Chippewa Falls homes, with a plain explanation of shingle lines, warranties, colors and cost before you choose.

Get a Shingle Roof Estimate

Call or text us and we will set up a time to look at your roof. Estimates and inspections are free.

Call (715) 233-8665 Text Us a Photo

Open 8am–6pm. Prefer email? info@chippewafallsroofingco.com

Call (715) 233-8665 Text Us

Free shingle roofing estimates
Architectural & Class 4 impact-resistant
Algae-resistant options for shaded roofs

Asphalt shingles

The Roof on Most Chippewa Falls Homes

Look down almost any street in Chippewa Falls and nearly every house is roofed in asphalt shingles. They are affordable, they suit steep old roofs and plain ranches alike, they come in colors that work with brick and with vinyl, and any section can be repaired without disturbing the rest.

They are also not all the same. The gap between an entry-level shingle and a heavy impact-resistant one is real, and so is the gap between a shingle installed carefully and the same shingle installed fast. Marketing does not make this easier: every wrapper carries a big warranty number and a trademarked name for its features.

This page goes through the choices that actually matter on a house in this climate: shingle type, impact rating, algae resistance, warranty, color and price. If you already know the roof needs replacing, our roof replacement page covers the tear-off, decking and ventilation side of the job.

Close-up of gray three-tab asphalt shingles

Shingle types

Architectural vs. 3-Tab Shingles

3-tab shingles are a single flat layer with cutouts that make each strip look like three separate tabs. They give a roof a uniform, gridded look, like the one in this photo. They are thinner and lighter, and each tab is a flap the wind can get under.

Architectural shingles, also called laminated or dimensional shingles, bond two layers together with the top layer cut in an irregular pattern. The result is thicker, heavier, and has no cutout slots to act as weak points.

For a roof in the Chippewa Valley the practical differences are:

Wind. Architectural shingles generally carry higher wind ratings and have more mass to resist lifting.
Appearance. The layered pattern has shadow and depth, and hides small dips in an older roof deck that 3-tabs would telegraph.
Cost. The difference in material price is modest against the total cost of a roof.

We install architectural shingles on virtually every new roof. We still keep 3-tabs in mind for one job: repairing a 3-tab roof that has years left in it.

Products

Shingle Lines We Install

You will not find a wall of manufacturer logos on this page. We install laminated asphalt shingles from the major North American manufacturers, and the exact manufacturer, product line and color are written on your estimate, so you can look up the specification sheet and warranty for yourself before you sign.

Whatever the brand, shingle lines fall into three tiers:

Standard architectural. The workhorse. A good laminated shingle with a broad color range. This is what goes on most homes.
Impact-resistant architectural. Similar in appearance, built on a tougher or polymer-modified mat to earn a Class 4 rating.
Designer or premium. Heavier, thicker shingles shaped to resemble slate or wood shake. They cost noticeably more, and the appeal is mostly looks.

A shingle is one part of a system. The same manufacturer usually makes the starter strip, ridge caps, underlayment and ice barrier that go with it, and manufacturers generally tie their stronger warranty coverage to using those parts together. We explain which parts your estimate includes and why.

Gray architectural shingle roof with a decorative gable

Hail

Class 4 Impact-Resistant Shingles

Impact ratings come from a test standard called UL 2218. A steel ball is dropped onto the installed shingle, and the shingle passes if it does not crack through. The ball gets bigger with each class. For Class 4, the highest, it is a 2-inch ball dropped from 20 feet.

In practice, a Class 4 shingle has a more flexible, reinforced construction that absorbs a hit that would fracture an ordinary shingle's mat.

Worth knowing before you choose one:

It is impact-resistant, not hail-proof. Very large hail can damage any roof.
The test is about cracking. A Class 4 shingle can still lose some granules or show marks after a storm.
Any insurance discount is between you and your insurer. Ask first.

If your roof is being replaced because of hail, the upgrade is easy to price at the same time. Our hail damage roof repair page covers the inspection and claim side.

Price a Class 4 Roof (715) 233-8665

Lakefront home surrounded by fall foliage on a calm lake

Shade and moisture

Algae-Resistant Shingles for Shaded and Lake Wissota Roofs

The dark streaks that run down so many roofs are algae. It spreads by airborne spores, settles where a roof stays damp, and shows first on north-facing slopes and under tree cover. Homes around Lake Wissota, along the Chippewa River and on wooded lots get it earliest.

Algae-resistant shingles have copper-containing granules mixed into the surface. Each time the roof gets wet, a little copper is released, which discourages the algae from taking hold. Most manufacturers now offer this on their main architectural lines, and around here we think it is worth having.

Two limits. The protection is aimed at algae staining. It does not stop moss, which grows where leaves and needles sit on the roof and hold moisture. And it fades over the years as the copper is used up.

Moss is the one that does harm, because it lifts shingle edges and keeps them wet. Trimming back overhanging branches and keeping valleys clear does more for a shaded roof than any product.

Read the fine print

Shingle Warranties, Explained Plainly

Shingle warranties come from the manufacturer, not from us, and the headline number on the wrapper is the least useful part. These are the things to actually check:

What is covered. Manufacturer warranties cover defects in the product. They do not cover storm damage, foot traffic, or problems caused by poor ventilation.
Full coverage vs. prorated. Most have an initial period with fuller coverage, after which the payout shrinks each year. The length of that first period matters more than the total term.
Materials only, or labor too. Replacing defective shingles costs far more in labor than in material. Check which is included.
Conditions. Coverage often depends on correct installation, adequate attic ventilation, use of the manufacturer's matching components, and registration. Enhanced warranties may only be offered through installers enrolled in a manufacturer's program.
Transfer. If you may sell the house, check whether and how the warranty passes to a buyer.
Wind and algae clauses. These usually have their own, shorter terms.

Terms differ by manufacturer and product line and change over time, so we will not summarize them here. We give you the manufacturer's current warranty document for the exact shingle on your estimate.

Blue two-story house with a dark gray shingle roof on a grassy lot

Curb appeal

Choosing a Shingle Color

You will look at this roof for a long time, and on many houses it is a third or more of what you see from the street. A few rules of thumb save regret.

Start with what will not change. Brick, stone and vinyl siding are staying. Pick a shingle that works with them, not with the paint you might redo.
Blends forgive. A shingle with several tones hides dirt, pollen and the odd repaired patch better than a flat single color.
Mid-tones are the safe middle. Weathered grays, charcoals and browns suit most Midwestern houses. Very light roofs show algae streaks sooner. Very dark roofs show every bit of fading.
Look at it outside. View a full sample board in morning and afternoon light, and under an overcast sky, which is what we get for much of the winter.
Check the neighbors. You do not have to match, but you probably do not want the only clashing roof on the block.

Want a different look altogether? Stamped steel panels imitate shingles, slate and shake. See metal roofing options.

Typical ranges, not quotes

What an Asphalt Shingle Roof Costs

Roofers price by the square, which is 100 square feet of roof surface. This is the published national range for an installed architectural shingle roof, converted to squares.

$400 – $600per square · Architectural asphalt shingles

The roof on most Chippewa Falls homes. HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor both put architectural shingles at about $4 to $6 per square foot installed.

Ranges are national figures published by the cost guides HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor, converted to roofing squares (100 square feet of roof surface). They are typical ranges, not quotes. Your price depends on the roof itself, which is why we measure and inspect it before we quote.

A Class 4 impact-resistant shingle costs more than a standard architectural one, mostly in the material. How much more depends on the manufacturer and the line, so we price both on the same estimate and let you see the difference for your roof.

Your own number depends on the roof more than the shingle: its size and pitch, how many layers come off, how much decking needs replacing, and the flashing and ventilation work involved. Our page on roof replacement in Chippewa Falls explains what a full tear-off includes and why each of those changes the price. For a number on your house, request a free shingle roof estimate.

Request a Free Estimate (715) 233-8665 Text Us a Photo

How it works

How a Shingle Roofing Job Works

Inspect and measure

We check the existing roof, decking where we can see it, flashing and attic ventilation, and measure every slope. You get photos.
Written estimate

Manufacturer, shingle line and color, underlayment, ice barrier, flashing and vent work, each listed with the price. Standard and Class 4 options side by side if you want both.
Install and clean up

Tear-off, deck repairs, membrane and underlayment, then shingles nailed to the manufacturer's pattern. Debris hauled, magnets run for nails.

FAQ

Shingle Roofing Questions Chippewa Falls Homeowners Ask

What are the best roofing shingles for Wisconsin weather?

For most homes here, a laminated architectural shingle from one of the major manufacturers, installed over ice and water membrane at the eaves with proper attic ventilation. The installation details matter more than the brand name on the wrapper. If your area has taken hail, a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle is worth pricing. If the roof is shaded, choose an algae-resistant line.

How long do asphalt shingles last in Chippewa Falls?

There is no single honest number. Lifespan depends on the shingle, the slope, the direction it faces, how much shade and tree debris it gets and, more than anything, how well the attic is ventilated. Manufacturer warranty lengths are not a prediction of how long a roof will last on your house. We can tell you how much life is left in an existing roof by looking at it.

Are 3-tab shingles still available?

Some manufacturers still make them, but the selection has shrunk and they are mostly used now for repairs on existing 3-tab roofs and on outbuildings. For a full new roof, architectural shingles are the standard. The price gap is small, and you get a thicker shingle with a better wind rating.

Can I put new shingles over my old ones?

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code does not allow a new roof covering over a roof that already has two or more layers, or over one that is water-soaked or deteriorated. Over a single sound layer it may be legal, but we rarely recommend it, because it hides the decking and the old flashing and leaves no way to install ice and water membrane on the deck.

What are the black streaks on my shingles?

Almost always algae, not dirt or mold. It shows first on north-facing slopes and under trees, where the roof stays damp. It is mainly a cosmetic problem. Do not pressure wash it, which strips granules. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association describes a gentle bleach-and-water cleaning method, and algae-resistant shingles help keep it from coming back on a new roof.

Will Class 4 shingles lower my homeowners insurance?

Possibly. Some insurers offer a premium discount for a roof with a Class 4 impact rating, and some do not. Terms differ between companies, and some policies pair the discount with different handling of cosmetic damage. Ask your agent for the specifics in writing before you pay extra for the upgrade on that basis.

Can I pick any shingle color I want?

Within the line you choose, generally yes, though a few neighborhoods and associations set rules, and some colors are special-order with a longer wait. We bring full-size sample boards so you can look at them outside against your siding and brick, which is very different from picking off a screen.

Weighing shingles against steel? Compare with standing seam and steel roofing.

Where we work

Shingle Roofing in Chippewa Falls and Nearby

Asphalt shingles are on most of the houses we work on, in the city and in every town around it.

That means Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, Lake Wissota, Bloomer, Cadott and Jim Falls, and the farms, lake roads and smaller communities of rural Chippewa County in between. If you are not sure whether you are in range, call or text and ask.

Keep reading