1 Scope
1.1This standard covers the materials, performance ratings, fastening, and installation of fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingle roofing on slopes of 2:12 and greater for new roofs and full reroof replacements.
NOTE Asphalt shingle roofing is a system, not a single product; the shingle, underlayment, ice barrier, starter course, and hip and ridge cap are specified and installed together so that the assembly performs and the manufacturer's warranty remains valid. (1.2)
NOTE Architectural (laminated) shingles are the baseline product for commercial and institutional work; three-tab shingles are a budget residential option of declining availability and are not appropriate where a 30-year or greater service life is required. (1.3)
1.4All asphalt shingles specified under this standard shall be glass-mat (fiberglass) reinforced and shall comply with Membrane Roofing only where a low-slope tie-in transition occurs; the field of the steep-slope roof is governed entirely by this standard. NOTE Organic-felt-mat shingles to the withdrawn ASTM D225 are obsolete and shall not be specified or supplied. (1.5)
NOTE This standard does not cover the structural design or thickness of the roof deck, the design of valley and eave sheet-metal flashings, the design of gutters and drainage, or membrane roofing on slopes below 2:12; those scopes belong to the cross-referenced standards named in the description. (1.6)
2 Referenced Standards
2.1Materials, fabrication, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited or a more recent edition is mandated by the authority having jurisdiction.
2.2Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
| Standard |
Title |
| ASTM D3462/D3462M |
Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules |
| ASTM D3018 |
Class A Asphalt Shingles Surfaced with Mineral Granules |
| ASTM D3161 |
Wind-Resistance of Asphalt Shingles (Fan-Induced Method) |
| ASTM D7158 |
Wind-Resistance of Sealed Asphalt Shingles (Uplift Force/Uplift Resistance Method) |
| ANSI/UL 2218 |
Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials |
| FM 4473 |
Impact Resistance Testing of Rigid Roofing Materials by Impacting with Freezing Rain (Hail) |
| ASTM D4586 |
Asphalt Roof Cement, Asbestos-Free |
| ASTM D1970 |
Self-Adhering Polymer Modified Bituminous Sheet Materials Used as Steep Roofing Underlayment for Ice Dam Protection |
| ASTM D226 |
Asphalt-Saturated Organic Felt Used in Roofing and Waterproofing |
| ASTM D4869 |
Asphalt-Saturated Organic Felt Shingle Underlayment Used in Roofing |
| UL 790 / NFPA 256 |
Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings |
| IRC 2024, Section R905.2 |
International Residential Code -- Asphalt Shingles |
| IBC 2024, Section 1507.2 |
International Building Code -- Asphalt Shingles |
| ARMA Steep-Slope Roofing Underlayments |
Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association Technical Bulletin |
| NRCA Steep-slope Roofing Manual |
National Roofing Contractors Association -- current edition |
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1The Contractor shall submit the following action submittals for review before any roofing material is delivered to the site:
- Product data for each shingle, underlayment, ice-and-water shield, starter strip, and hip and ridge cap product, including ASTM D3462 compliance, fire class, wind class, impact class, and algae-resistance data.
- Manufacturer's printed installation instructions, including the marked nailing zone, required nail count, and exposure for the specified wind rating.
- Samples of each exposed shingle color and granule blend, full shingle width, showing the proposed color and any algae-resistant blend.
- Shop drawings or roof plan identifying slope areas, underlayment type by area, ice-and-water shield extent, valley method, and nailing pattern.
- A written statement identifying every system component (shingle, starter, hip and ridge cap, underlayment) and confirming that all components are from a single manufacturer's listed system where a system warranty is required.
☐ Product data (shingle, underlayment, ice barrier, starter, ridge cap)
☐ Manufacturer installation instructions (nailing zone, nail count, exposure)
☐ Color and granule-blend samples
☐ Roof plan / shop drawings (underlayment areas, ice-barrier extent, valley method, nailing)
☐ System-component compatibility statement
3.2.1The Contractor shall submit the following informational submittals:
- Installer qualification documentation demonstrating manufacturer certification or training for the specified shingle system.
- Test reports or listings showing the roof assembly's fire class, the shingle's ASTM D7158 and D3161 wind classes, and the UL 2218 or FM 4473 impact class.
- Manufacturer's warranty sample, including any system-warranty terms tied to component and installation compliance.
☐ Installer qualifications / manufacturer certification
☐ Fire, wind, and impact test reports and listings
☐ Sample warranty (product and system)
3.3 Closeout Submittals
3.3.1The Contractor shall submit the following closeout submittals before final acceptance:
- Executed manufacturer warranty registered in the Owner's name.
- Record documentation of actual products installed, including lot or production identifiers where available.
- Maintenance data describing inspection intervals, debris removal, and sealant touch-up.
☐ Executed registered warranty
☐ Record of installed products and lot identifiers
☐ Maintenance and inspection data
4 Quality Assurance
4.1The installer shall be certified or trained by the shingle manufacturer where a manufacturer system warranty is specified.
4.2A pre-installation conference shall be held before roofing begins to review deck condition, underlayment sequencing, flashing coordination, nailing pattern, and warranty requirements.
4.3Installation shall comply with the manufacturer's printed instructions and with the current edition of the NRCA Steep-slope Roofing Manual; where the two differ, the more stringent requirement shall govern.
NOTE The manufacturer's printed installation instructions are part of the contract; deviating from the marked nailing zone, the required nail count, or the maximum exposure voids the wind-resistance warranty and is therefore a defect, not an option. (4.4)
4.5A mock-up of one full shingle course including starter strip and a hip or ridge run should be installed and approved before full roofing proceeds on institutional and commercial projects.
5.1 Slope and Underlayment Regime
NOTE The roof slope determines the underlayment regime: slopes of 2:12 to less than 4:12 are low-slope and require doubled underlayment; slopes of 4:12 and greater are standard-slope and use a single underlayment layer. (5.1.1)
5.1.2Asphalt shingles shall not be installed on slopes less than 2:12; roofs below that slope shall use a membrane system per Membrane Roofing. 5.1.3On slopes of 2:12 to less than 4:12, underlayment shall be either two layers of felt lapped 19 in. or a single layer of self-adhering ice-and-water shield, in accordance with the manufacturer's low-slope instructions.
● Standard slope (≥ 4:12) -- single layer
○ Low slope (2:12 to < 4:12) -- doubled felt or full self-adhering
5.2 Fire Resistance
NOTE The roof assembly -- deck, underlayment, and shingle together -- shall carry the specified fire classification tested to UL 790 / NFPA 256; the shingle product rating alone does not establish the assembly rating. (5.2.1)
5.2.2Class A is the most fire-resistant classification and is required for most occupancies under IBC Section 1505 and within wildland-urban interface zones; it is the default for commercial and institutional work.
5.2.3The specified fire class shall be verified as a listed assembly, because an organic or otherwise combustible deck can lower the assembly class below the shingle's standalone rating.
● Class A
○ Class B
○ Class C
5.3 Wind Resistance
NOTE Wind resistance is classified by two test methods: ASTM D3161 (fan-induced) and ASTM D7158 (uplift force/uplift resistance); the 2024 IRC accepts D7158 Class H or D3161 Class F in high-wind regions. (5.3.1)
5.3.2Most current architectural shingles are rated ASTM D3161 Class F (110 mph) or ASTM D7158 Class H (130 mph); these classes are the default for new commercial work.
5.3.3The specified wind class shall be activated by installing the manufacturer's required nail count and starter and hip and ridge components; a high wind rating on the label does not survive a four-nail installation where six are required.
5.3.4The basic design wind speed and exposure category shall be confirmed against the project structural drawings before the wind class is selected. roof wind-design notes ○ Class D (90 mph)
○ Class G (120 mph)
● Class H (130 mph)
○ Class A (60 mph)
○ Class D (90 mph)
● Class F (110 mph)
5.4 Impact Resistance
NOTE Impact resistance is rated Class 1 through Class 4 by a steel-ball drop test under ANSI/UL 2218 or an ice-ball test under FM 4473; Class 4 is the most resistant and is the rating most insurers recognize for premium discounts. (5.4.1)
5.4.2Class 4 impact-resistant shingles shall be specified in ASCE 7 hail-probability zones and wherever the authority having jurisdiction mandates impact-resistant roofing.
5.4.3Standard architectural shingles are typically Class 3 or unrated; the impact class shall be stated explicitly so the contractor cannot default to a lower-rated compliant product.
○ Class 4 (most resistant)
● Class 3
○ Not rated
5.5 Algae Resistance
NOTE Black algae staining from Gloeocapsa magma appears within two to five years on standard shingles in humid climates; algae-resistant granules containing copper or zinc suppress it at negligible added cost. (5.5.1)
5.5.2Algae-resistant shingles with a published algae warranty shall be specified in humid climates, including coastal and southeastern regions, where they are the default selection.
● Algae-resistant (AR) granules with published algae warranty
○ Standard (non-AR)
5.6 Cool-Roof Reflectance
5.6.1Where a cool-roof prescriptive path under an energy code is selected, solar-reflective shingles shall meet the listed initial and aged solar-reflectance index thresholds for steep-slope roofing.
NOTE Solar-reflective granule blends are an aesthetic and product-availability constraint; confirm the desired color exists in a compliant reflective blend before committing the selection. (5.6.2)
○ Required (energy-code cool-roof path)
● Not required
6 Shingle Products
6.1 Shingle Profile
NOTE Three profile families are available: three-tab/strip (single layer, lightest, declining availability), architectural/laminated (two-layer, the de facto standard), and premium/designer (triple-layer, slate or shake appearance, longest lead time). (6.1.1)
6.1.2Architectural (laminated) shingles shall be the minimum profile for commercial and institutional projects and for any project requiring a 30-year or greater service life.
6.1.3All shingles shall comply with ASTM D3462, which prescribes minimum mass, tear resistance, nail pull-through, and pliability for glass-mat shingles.
NOTE Premium and designer profiles are typically special-order with a four to six week lead time; confirm availability and lead time before specifying them on a schedule-critical project. (6.1.4)
● Architectural / laminated (dimensional)
○ Three-tab / strip
○ Premium / designer (luxury)
200500
Default: 300 lb/square
Per drawings — architectural color schedule (deferred by default)
6.2 Product Standard and Quality
6.2.1Each shingle shall meet ASTM D3462 minimum tear resistance of 1,700 g for Type I and minimum nail pull-through of 37.5 lb.
6.2.2Each shingle shall pass the ASTM D3462 pliability test, bending over a 1 in. mandrel at 0°C without cracking.
6.2.3Premium fire-rated shingles for high-fire-hazard zones may alternatively comply with ASTM D3018 Class A in lieu of the general D3462 product standard.
ASTM D3462 (general glass-mat)
ASTM D3018 Class A (high-fire-hazard zones)
6.3 Warranty Tier
NOTE Shingle warranties range from a fixed term (30, 40, or 50 year limited) to a limited-lifetime tier; the tier selected shall match the project's required service life and the Owner's expectations. (6.3.1)
6.3.2A manufacturer system warranty (covering the full installed assembly) requires that every component and the installation method conform to the manufacturer's listed system; a shingle-only warranty does not.
● Limited Lifetime
○ 50-year limited
○ 40-year limited
○ 30-year limited
● Manufacturer system warranty (all listed components + installation)
○ Shingle-only (product) warranty
7 Underlayment and Ice Barrier
7.1 Underlayment Type
NOTE Underlayment options are No. 15 felt (ASTM D226 Type I), No. 30 felt (ASTM D226 Type II), synthetic (ASTM D4869 Class II through IV), or fully self-adhering (ASTM D1970); synthetic Class III or IV is the modern default, largely displacing felt. (7.1.1)
NOTE Underlayment shall be a product listed by, or compatible with, the shingle manufacturer's warranted system; mixing an incompatible underlayment can void a system warranty. (7.1.2)
7.1.3Synthetic underlayment shall provide a slip-resistant walking surface meeting the manufacturer's published slip rating for the roof slope.
● Synthetic (ASTM D4869 Class III/IV)
○ No. 15 felt (ASTM D226 Type I)
○ No. 30 felt (ASTM D226 Type II)
○ Fully self-adhering (ASTM D1970)
7.2 Ice-and-Water Shield
NOTE Self-adhering ice-and-water shield to ASTM D1970 protects against ice-dam backup and is required by IRC R905.1.2 in regions subject to ice damming. (7.2.1)
7.2.2Ice-and-water shield shall extend from the eave edge to a point not less than 24 in. inside the exterior wall line.
7.2.3In cold climate zones the eave ice barrier shall be extended to 36 in. to 48 in. inside the wall line, or as required by the authority having jurisdiction.
7.2.4Ice-and-water shield shall be applied in all valleys for the full length of the valley, because valleys are a concentrated moisture path that the eave-edge requirement alone does not protect.
7.2.5Ice-and-water shield shall be applied around all roof penetrations and at all wall-to-roof intersections.
○ 24 in. inside wall line (code minimum)
● 36 in. inside wall line (cold climate)
○ 48 in. inside wall line (severe climate)
● Full-length self-adhering membrane in all valleys
○ Per manufacturer minimum
7.3 Valley Method
7.3.2A self-adhering ice-and-water membrane shall underlie the valley regardless of the valley method selected.
● Open (exposed metal valley)
○ Closed-cut
○ Woven
8 Accessory Components
8.1 Starter Strip
NOTE A starter course provides the sealing adhesive and offset that lock down the first shingle course at the eave and rake; without it the first course can lift in wind. (8.1.1)
8.1.2A manufactured, pre-formed self-sealing starter strip shall be used in lieu of cut field shingles where a wind-resistance warranty above the base class is required.
● Manufactured self-sealing starter strip
○ Cut-shingle starter (field shingles)
8.2 Hip and Ridge Cap
NOTE Cut-tab hip and ridge is code-allowable but produces inconsistent exposure and does not satisfy the wind-speed warranty requirements for hip and ridge zones; a purpose-formed manufactured cap is preferred. (8.2.1)
8.2.2Manufactured hip and ridge cap shingles matched to the primary shingle line shall be used where a system or high-wind warranty is required.
8.2.3Ridge ventilation, where provided, shall be coordinated with the ridge cap so that the cap covers the vent and maintains the rated net free vent area.
● Manufactured hip-and-ridge cap (matched product)
○ Cut-shingle (cut-tab) method
8.3 Asphalt Plastic Cement
8.3.1Asphalt plastic cement to ASTM D4586 (asbestos-free) shall be used for sealing flashing laps, exposed nail heads, and cut tabs; it shall not be used as a substitute for correct fastening.
9 Fastening
9.1 Nail Type and Length
9.1.1Shingles shall be fastened with corrosion-resistant roofing nails, 11- or 12-gauge, with a minimum 3/8 in. diameter head.
9.1.2Nails shall be long enough to penetrate at least 3/4 in. into a solid deck, or fully through plywood or OSB sheathing less than 3/4 in. thick.
9.1.3Staples shall not be used to fasten shingles where a wind-resistance warranty above the base class is required.
9.2 Nailing Pattern
9.2.1Shingles shall receive a minimum of four nails per shingle placed within the manufacturer's marked nailing zone.
9.2.2The nailing pattern shall be increased to six nails per shingle in wind zones above 90 mph, in accordance with IRC R905.2.6.1, and the six-nail pattern shall be shown on the drawings or in the specification to activate the high-wind warranty.
9.2.3Nails shall be driven flush within the factory-marked nailing zone; nails driven above the zone (high-nailing), below the zone, overdriven, or underdriven void the wind warranty and reduce holding power.
● 4 nails per shingle (standard)
○ 6 nails per shingle (high-wind, > 90 mph)
9.3 Exposure
NOTE Shingle exposure shall not exceed the manufacturer's published maximum -- typically 5-5/8 in. to 6 in. for architectural shingles and 5 in. for three-tab -- because excess exposure voids the wind warranty and reduces headlap. (9.3.1)
10 Deck Preparation
NOTE The roof deck shall be inspected before underlayment is installed; the structural design and thickness of the deck are specified under
Wood Sheathing and are not modified by this standard.
(10.1) 10.2The deck shall be a minimum 3/8 in. plywood (for staple-grade work) or 7/16 in. OSB for nail attachment, clean, dry, and free of protruding fasteners and surface deterioration.
10.3On reroof projects, existing decking that fails the thumbnail (deflection) test shall be re-nailed at 6 in. on center at panel edges and 12 in. on center in the field, or replaced, before new roofing is installed.
10.4Deck re-nailing scope on reroof projects shall be coordinated with the structural drawings so that supplemental fastening to meet current IRC Table R803 is captured in the work. reroof deck re-nailing scope ○ Plywood (≥ 3/8 in.)
● OSB (≥ 7/16 in.)
11 Installation
11.1 Underlayment Installation
11.1.1Underlayment shall be installed before shingles, lapped down-slope and shingle-fashion so that water sheds over each lap.
11.1.2Ice-and-water shield shall be rolled into full contact with the deck with no fishmouths or wrinkles.
11.1.3Laps in ice-and-water shield shall be sealed per the manufacturer's instructions.
11.1.4On low-slope areas (2:12 to less than 4:12), the doubled-underlayment or full self-adhering regime selected above shall be installed before any shingle is laid.
11.2 Shingle Installation
11.2.1Shingles shall be installed beginning with the starter course at the eave and rake, then field courses laid up-slope to the ridge, maintaining the specified exposure and offset.
11.2.2Each shingle shall be sealed by its factory adhesive; in cold-weather installation, exposed tabs shall be hand-sealed with ASTM D4586 cement where the adhesive cannot activate.
11.2.4Hip and ridge cap shall be installed last, lapped against the prevailing wind, and fastened with nails long enough to penetrate the deck through the doubled cap material.
11.2.5Penetration locations, equipment curbs, and roof-mounted item positions shall be set out from the drawings before shingle layout begins. roof penetration layout 11.3 Weather and Temperature
11.3.1Shingles shall not be installed on a wet, frosted, or contaminated deck.
11.3.2Self-adhering membranes shall be installed only within the manufacturer's permitted temperature range, and the deck shall be primed where the manufacturer requires it for low-temperature adhesion.
12 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
12.1Shingles shall be delivered in the manufacturer's unopened, labeled packaging and stored on a flat, supported surface protected from moisture.
12.2Shingle bundles shall not be stacked higher than the manufacturer's permitted limit, and shall be protected from prolonged direct sun and from temperatures that would soften or distort the product before installation.
12.3Self-adhering membranes shall be stored on end in a dry location and protected from freezing where the manufacturer so requires.
NOTE Material shall be stored so that bundles can be staged in installation sequence without double-handling that scuffs the granule surface. (12.4)
13 Warranty
13.1The manufacturer's warranty shall be issued in the Owner's name and registered as the manufacturer requires.
13.2Where a system warranty is specified, all components and the installation method shall conform to the manufacturer's listed system.
13.3Where a system warranty is specified, the certified installer shall provide the workmanship coverage required by that system.
NOTE A system warranty covers both materials and labor under a single manufacturer-issued certificate; individual component and workmanship warranties do not satisfy this requirement. (13.4)
13.5The Contractor shall provide a separate workmanship warranty covering installation defects for the period stated in the contract documents.
14 Spare Materials
14.1The Contractor shall deliver to the Owner spare full shingles and hip and ridge cap of each color and product installed, for future repair, in the quantity stated below.
NOTE Spare material shall be from the same production run as the installed roof where practical, and shall be labeled with the product name, color, and date of installation. (14.2)