A roofing system is every layer and part that keeps water out of your home, not just the shingles: decking, underlayment, ice barrier, drip edge, flashing, starter, field shingles, hip and ridge, ventilation, and the gutters that carry the water away. The fairest way to compare roofing bids is by system: line them up component by component and ask what each one includes. A premium shingle over old flashing or a starved attic performs like a cheap roof, because the system is only as strong as its weakest component.
The ten components, and what to ask about each
| Component | What it does | Required in Colorado Springs? | Ask the bidder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decking | The base everything is nailed to | Plank decking with wide gaps must be re-decked or overlaid | What is the price per sheet if bad decking is found? |
| Tear-off | Removes old layers so the deck can be inspected | All existing layers must come off before new asphalt shingles | Is disposal included? |
| Underlayment | Backup water barrier under the shingles | Yes, under the International Residential Code PPRBD enforces | Felt or synthetic, and why for my roof? |
| Ice barrier | Self-sealing membrane at eaves and valleys | Above 7,000 ft, to 24 in inside the wall | Where exactly, and how far up? |
| Drip edge | Metal edge at eaves and rakes | Yes, on shingle roofs | Included on every edge? |
| Flashing | Seals walls, chimneys, skylights and valleys | Must keep water out | Which flashings are new and which are reused? |
| Starter strip | Seals the first course at eaves and rakes | Per manufacturer | Is it the manufacturer’s starter? |
| Field shingles | The visible layer | Class A in the city | Which line, wind rating and warranty? |
| Hip and ridge | Caps the peaks | Per manufacturer | Matching cap, impact rated if the field is Class 4? |
| Ventilation | Moves heat and moisture out of the attic | Per manufacturer and code | Intake and exhaust, how much net free area? |
The Colorado Springs requirements above come from PPRBD’s reroof guidelines. Roofers may also replace only the cap, collar and jack on a B-vent; anything beyond that needs a licensed HVAC contractor, which is worth knowing if your furnace or water heater vents through the roof.
Why matching components matters for warranties
Manufacturers back systems, not single shingles. Owens Corning’s extended system warranties require its hip and ridge shingles and underlayment plus other system accessories. Its Platinum Protection Roofing System Limited Warranty can only be offered by a Platinum Preferred contractor, includes up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage on installed system products and labor depending on the shingle, and covers the installer’s workmanship defects. The contractor registers it for you. If a bid names a premium warranty but lists another brand’s starter or ridge, ask how that warranty applies. The full component list, coverage table and transfer rules are in our Platinum Protection warranty guide.
Installation decides how the system performs
The same parts installed badly fail early. Nails driven too deep or too shallow lose holding power and shingles blow off in wind. Underlayment chosen without regard to ventilation can trap moisture. Flashing left loose at a wall can send water behind the siding. That is why we document every stage with photos. Our own component list is the Integrity Roofing System, and what to finalize before your install turns it into decisions for your contract.
Compare two bids in ten minutes
- Put both bids side by side and list the ten components above.
- Mark each one as included, excluded or vague.
- Ask each bidder to fill in the vague ones in writing.
- Then compare price.
If you are changing materials, not just shingles, see Colorado Springs’ favorite roof styles. For the product layer, see how asphalt shingles are made and why 3-tab shingles rarely fit a primary home. For the ventilation line, see how to size roof ventilation.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800, book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection, or see residential roofing in Colorado Springs.
Sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024); Owens Corning, Roofing Shingle Warranties and Duration STORM (confirmed through Owens Corning's search index because the pages render with JavaScript).
