Project Description
This townhouse in Gaithersburg, Maryland needed substantially more than a new layer of shingles. Beneath the old, worn 3-tab shingles, the roof had dry and brittle decking that had deteriorated after years of excessive heat being trapped in the attic.
A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof removed the complete existing roofing system and replaced the deteriorated roof deck with new 7/16-inch OSB panels. The crew also created a new opening at the roof peak and installed ridge ventilation to give rising hot air a path out of the attic.
The roof was completed with an Owens Corning roofing system featuring architectural Duration shingles in the Desert Rose color.
The project was completed on August 27, 2026.
Project Overview
- Location: Gaithersburg, MD 20878
- Property type: Residential townhouse
- Project completion date: August 27, 2026
- Service performed: Complete shingle roof replacement
- Existing roofing: Worn 3-tab asphalt shingles
- Decking work: Full removal of deteriorated decking and installation of new 7/16-inch OSB roof decking
- Ventilation improvement: New opening at the roof peak and installation of a VentSure ridge vent
- New shingles: Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration architectural shingles
- Shingle color: Desert Rose
- Additional components: Drip edge, starter shingles, synthetic underlayment, self-adhered water barrier, pipe boot, ridge-cap shingles, and roofing fasteners
The Problem: Old Shingles, Brittle Decking, and Trapped Attic Heat
The homeowner’s roof had aging 3-tab shingles and widespread deterioration in the wood roof deck below them.
According to the project assessment, poor attic ventilation had allowed heat to remain trapped beneath the roof for years. The ongoing heat buildup contributed to the roof decking becoming dry, brittle, and unsuitable as a dependable base for the new roofing system.
The project photographs show the extent of the problem after the old shingles were removed. Sections of the existing decking were visibly deteriorated, fragmented, and no longer capable of providing the solid substrate required for a complete roof installation.
Installing architectural shingles directly over this material would not have addressed the underlying condition. The damaged decking and ventilation problem first needed to be corrected.
Removing the Existing 3-Tab Shingle Roof
A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof began by removing the old 3-tab asphalt shingles and the roofing materials beneath them.
The full tear-off allowed the crew to inspect the roof deck directly and identify the extent of the deterioration. Once the old roofing materials were removed, it became clear that the project required a complete decking replacement rather than a few isolated wood repairs.
The damaged decking was carefully removed from the roof and taken down from the property. This exposed the supporting roof structure and prepared the townhouse for an entirely new roof deck.
Replacing the Deteriorated Roof Deck with 7/16-Inch OSB
After removing the dry and brittle wood, the crew installed new 7/16-inch OSB decking across the roof.
The new OSB panels were positioned over the existing roof framing, aligned at the panel edges, and secured to create a continuous roof surface. This gave the new roofing materials a solid and consistent substrate from the eaves to the peak.
Replacing all deteriorated decking was an essential part of this project because the roof deck supports every layer installed above it. By correcting the underlying wood condition first, the crew could build the new roof from a dependable base rather than covering the existing damage.
The project photographs document the process of lifting the new panels onto the roof, laying them across the exposed framing, and closing the roof with a complete new deck.
Creating a New Ridge Opening for Attic Ventilation
The original attic had not been releasing heat effectively. To address this condition, the crew cut a new 1-inch opening along the peak of the roof.
This opening created an exhaust path at the highest part of the attic, where rising hot air naturally collects. A VentSure ridge vent was then installed over the opening as part of the finished roofing system.
The goal of this improvement was to reduce the amount of heat remaining trapped beneath the roof. Better exhaust ventilation can support a more balanced attic environment when it is properly coordinated with available intake ventilation.
For homeowners experiencing excessive attic heat, premature decking deterioration, or uncomfortable upper-floor temperatures, A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof provides additional information in its guide to roof ventilation and attic airflow.
According to the project notes, the ridge ventilation improvement was also intended to help improve comfort on the townhouse’s second floor and reduce unnecessary strain on the air-conditioning system.
Installing the Water-Protection and Underlayment Layers
With the new OSB deck in place, the crew installed the protective layers beneath the shingles.
The roofing system included:
- RhinoRoof Granulated self-adhered underlayment for additional water protection in vulnerable areas.
- RhinoRoof synthetic roofing underlayment across the prepared roof deck.
- New metal drip edge along the roof perimeter.
- Owens Corning Starter Strip Plus shingles at the starting edges of the roof.
- A new pipe boot around the roof penetration.
- Stinger cap nails and electro-galvanized roofing nails specified for the installation.
These components work together beneath and around the visible shingles. The underlayment provides a secondary protective layer over the decking, while the starter course and drip edge help complete the roof perimeter.
Upgrading from 3-Tab to Architectural Shingles
The old 3-tab shingles were replaced with Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration architectural asphalt shingles in the Desert Rose color.
Architectural shingles provide a more dimensional finished appearance than traditional flat 3-tab shingles. The Desert Rose blend complements the exterior of the townhouse while giving the completed roof a distinct mix of warm brown tones.
A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof installed the shingles over the new underlayment and OSB deck, completing each roof plane from the lower edge toward the ridge.
Homeowners comparing shingle styles and roof-system components can review the company’s asphalt roofing services.
Finishing the Ridge with Ventilation and Cap Shingles
At the peak, the crew installed the VentSure ridge vent over the newly created opening.
The ridge vent was then covered with Owens Corning ProEdge hip-and-ridge shingles. These cap shingles finished the roof peak while allowing the ventilation system beneath them to remain integrated into the roof assembly.
This detail provided a finished ridge line while addressing one of the primary conditions identified during the project: inadequate release of trapped attic heat.
Completing the Roof Perimeter and Penetration Details
The crew also completed the roof edges and penetration areas with the components specified for the new system.
New drip edge was installed around the appropriate roof perimeter, and a new pipe boot was incorporated around the plumbing vent. Starter shingles established the first roofing course, while ProEdge shingles completed the ridge.
These details are important because a roof is not made up of field shingles alone. The deck, underlayment, perimeter components, penetrations, ventilation, and ridge materials must all function as a coordinated assembly.
The Completed Gaithersburg Townhouse Roof
The completed project addressed both the visible roof covering and the concealed conditions beneath it.
The full scope included:
- Removing the old 3-tab asphalt shingles.
- Removing the existing underlayment and roofing components.
- Identifying widespread dry and brittle roof decking.
- Removing all deteriorated decking.
- Installing new 7/16-inch OSB roof decking.
- Creating a 1-inch opening at the roof peak.
- Installing RhinoRoof self-adhered and synthetic underlayment products.
- Installing new drip edge and starter shingles.
- Installing Owens Corning Duration architectural shingles in Desert Rose.
- Installing a new pipe boot at the roof penetration.
- Installing a VentSure ridge vent.
- Finishing the peak with ProEdge ridge-cap shingles.
Instead of treating this as a surface-only shingle replacement, A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof rebuilt the roofing system from the deck upward.
The townhouse now has a new structural roof surface, updated water-protection layers, architectural shingles, completed perimeter details, and a ridge ventilation system designed to give accumulated attic heat a path to escape.
Need Shingle Roof Replacement in Gaithersburg, MD?
Dry or deteriorated roof decking may remain hidden until the existing shingles are removed. Worn shingles, excessive attic heat, soft roof areas, recurring moisture, or an aging roof can indicate that more than the visible surface needs attention.
A1 Roofing’s KangaRoof provides roof replacement services for homeowners who need a complete evaluation of their shingles, decking, ventilation, underlayment, flashing, and roof penetrations.
Homeowners can also learn more about roofing options available from a local Gaithersburg, MD roofing contractor.
