Franklin Roof Replacement: A 1997 Colonial Gets a New Timberline HDZ Roof in a Single Day
Roofing Project at a Glance
- Location & building: A 1997 two-story center-entrance Colonial with an attached garage wing and a brick chimney in Franklin, MA
- Problem: A roof that was likely original to the house, close to 30 years old, with lichen and algae, worn granules, cracked shingles, a broken ridge cap, lifting shingles where the roof meets the siding, and a ridge vent packed with debris
- Solution: Full tear-off to the plywood deck, GAF FeltBuster synthetic underlayment, GAF Timberline HDZ shingles in Charcoal, a new ridge vent, and new flashing at the chimney and walls
- Result: A crisp new Charcoal roof that suits the Colonial’s black shutters, installed in a single day with the property cleaned and swept for nails before the crew left
GAF Materials Used
- Roof Size: 23 SQ
- Shingles: GAF Timberline HDZ
- Shingle Color: Charcoal
- Ridge Cap: GAF Seal-A-Ridge
- Leak Barrier: GAF WeatherWatch
- Underlayment: GAF FeltBuster
From a Nearly 30-Year-Old Roof to New GAF Timberline HDZ in One Day
Plenty of homes built in the late 1990s are still on their first roof. This Franklin Colonial, built in 1997, appeared to be one of them, and after nearly three decades the shingles were showing their age. When the homeowners called Master Roof, we started where every good estimate starts: in the attic.
From there we worked our way up and over the roof, documenting what we found. The verdict was clear. The roof had reached the end of its service life, and the best value for the homeowners was a full roof replacement, done right and done fast.
Roofing Project Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Franklin, MA |
| Home Built | 1997 |
| Home Style | Two-story center-entrance Colonial with attached garage wing and brick chimney |
| Scope | Full tear-off and roof replacement on the main house and garage wing |
| Previous Roof | Architectural asphalt shingles, likely original to the home |
| Asphalt Shingles | GAF Timberline HDZ in Charcoal |
| Leak Barrier | Ice and water barrier at eaves, valleys, and penetrations |
| Underlayment | GAF FeltBuster synthetic roofing underlayment |
| Ventilation | Ridge reopened and a new ridge vent installed |
| Flashing | New flashing at the chimney and where the roof meets the siding |
| Install Time | One day |
| Site Care | Windows, doors, and siding photographed before work began; landscaping tarped; magnetic sweep of the lawn and walkways for nails |
| Roof Deck | Existing plywood deck, inspected after tear-off |
What the Master Roof Inspection Found
There was no single dramatic failure on this roof. Instead, the photos from our attic and roof inspections show a roof wearing out on every front at once:
- Lichen and algae across the shingles: Pale green lichen and dark algae streaks were spread across the roof. Lichen roots into the shingle surface and loosens the protective granules as it grows.
- Granule loss: Bare, faded patches on the shingles, and granules collecting in the gutters, showed the shingles had lost much of the coating that protects them from the sun.
- Cracked shingles: Several shingles had split across the tab, opening a path for water into the layers below.
- A broken ridge cap: At the peak, one of the ridge cap shingles had cracked and lifted. Ridge caps are the most exposed shingles on any roof and are often the first to fail.
- Lifting shingles at the walls: Where the lower roof meets the siding of the main house, the shingle edges were curling and lifting away from the roof.
- Aging chimney flashing: The metal flashing around the brick chimney had been on the roof as long as the shingles.
- Moisture staining in the attic: Inside the attic, dark staining ran down the framing and roof sheathing next to the gable vents, a sign that moisture had been getting in or condensing there over the years.
- A ridge vent clogged with debris:
When the old ridge vent came off on install day, it was packed with debris and old nesting material, so the attic's main exhaust vent could barely let air out. A clogged ridge vent traps heat and moisture in the attic. Learn more about
why roof ventilation matters
The Master Roof Solution
- Before-work documentation: Before a single shingle came off, the crew photographed the windows, garage doors, awnings, and siding so the homeowners had a record of their condition.
- Property protection: Tarps went over the foundation plantings and the ground around the house to catch debris during the tear-off.
- Complete tear-off: The old shingles and underlayment were removed down to the plywood deck. The deck was inspected and was in good shape, so it stayed as a solid base for the new roof.
- Ridge reopened for airflow: The ridge was cleared and the vent slot opened along the peak so the new ridge vent could exhaust the attic properly.
- Synthetic underlayment: GAF FeltBuster synthetic roofing underlayment replaced the old felt. It is lighter and more tear-resistant than traditional felt and lies flatter under the new shingles.
- GAF Timberline HDZ shingles in Charcoal: Installed across the main roof and garage wing. Timberline HDZ is GAF's most popular architectural shingle, and the deep Charcoal color sets off the home's tan siding and black shutters.
- New ridge vent and flashing: A new ridge vent went in along the peak, with new flashing at the chimney and the roof-to-wall intersections.
- One-day finish and cleanup:
The crew started in the morning and had the new roof on by late afternoon, then ran a magnetic sweeper over the lawn and walkways to pick up stray nails.
The Result
In one day, this 1997 Colonial went from a tired, lichen-spotted roof to a clean, uniform Charcoal roof that looks right at home on a classic New England Colonial. The new roof has a fresh layer of synthetic underlayment, new flashing, and a ridge vent that can actually move air, giving the attic a much better chance to stay cool and dry.
Problems We Solved
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a roof really be replaced in one day?
Many homes can be. On a straightforward roof like this two-story Colonial, an experienced crew can tear off the old roof, install new underlayment, shingles, flashing, and ridge vent, and clean up in a single day, weather permitting. Larger or more complex roofs, or roofs that need deck repairs, can take longer.
How long does an asphalt shingle roof last in Massachusetts?
Most architectural asphalt shingle roofs last roughly 20 to 30 years, depending on the shingle, the attic ventilation, sun and shade, and how well the roof was installed. A roof approaching 30 years old, like the one on this 1997 Colonial, is usually due for replacement even if it is not leaking yet.
What is the pale green growth on my roof shingles?
Pale green or gray crusty patches are usually lichen, a combination of algae and fungus. Lichen grows slowly in shaded, damp areas and attaches firmly to the shingle surface. As it grows, it loosens granules and holds moisture against the roof. Dark streaks are usually algae.
Can a ridge vent get clogged?
Yes. Over the years, ridge vents can fill with dust, debris, insect nests, and nesting material from birds or rodents. A clogged ridge vent cannot let warm, moist air out of the attic, which can lead to heat buildup in summer and moisture problems in winter. A roof replacement is the best time to replace it.
What is synthetic underlayment, and why is it better than felt?
Synthetic underlayment is a woven or spun polymer sheet installed over the roof deck under the shingles. Compared with traditional asphalt felt paper, it is lighter, stronger, more tear-resistant, and does not wrinkle or absorb water the way felt can.
Why does Master Roof photograph my house before starting?
We document the condition of windows, doors, siding, and other nearby features before any work begins. It gives the homeowner and our crew a clear record, so everyone knows exactly what the property looked like before the job started.
Other Roofing Projects in Franklin & Surrounding Towns
At Master Roof, we offer exceptional residential roofing services across Franklin including roof replacement, repairs, attic ventilation, chimney flashing, skylight installations, roof maintenance, and assessments. Here are some other Master Roof projects in the area.
Is your 1990s roof still the original?
If your home was built in the 1990s and still has its original roof, it is worth a look. Get a ballpark with our roof cost calculator, or schedule a free inspection. We check the attic as well as the shingles on every estimate.
