Your roof protects your home from sun, wind, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Over time, it can sustain damage that warrants a replacement.
Visible damage such as cracked or missing shingles suggests that it is time for a new roof. However, a more substantial sign is widespread water damage that cannot be resolved with localized repairs.
Roof replacement is not a project that homeowners look forward to, but it’s an important home improvement that will add value to the house and protect against potential damage or hazards. The average cost of a roof replacement ranges from $5,727 to $12,418, with the national average around $9,072. While there are some factors that can increase the price, such as geographic location and the materials used, there are some things homeowners can do to minimize the costs.
One way to reduce the cost of a new roof is to choose a less expensive material, such as asphalt shingles or tile roofing. This can significantly decrease the cost, although it may not last as long as a more expensive option. The time of year can also affect the cost of a roof, as some contractors offer lower rates during the winter when they aren’t busy with other projects.
The roof’s condition will also impact the price. If the roof has significant damage, such as a hole or major leaks, a full replacement is usually more cost-effective than repairing individual areas of the roof. However, if the roof is in good shape but there are other issues, such as rot or structural damage, repairs are typically a better option.
Another factor that can increase the cost of a roof is whether or not it will require special features, such as skylights or energy-efficient windows. These additional features can add to the overall cost of the roof, but they can also help reduce energy bills and improve resale value.
Homeowners don’t have to pay for a new roof upfront, as there are several financing options available. These include a HELOC (home equity line of credit), home renovation loan, or cash-out refinance. Homeowners should consider all of the options and decide which is best for them.
Depending on the cause, some homeowners insurance policies cover the cost of a new roof after an act of nature, such as a hailstorm or a wildfire. Homeowners should speak with their insurance company to find out what is covered and how much the new roof will cost.
Materials
If you’re considering roof replacement, it’s important to know the materials that will be used. Some options are best for specific regions, while others are more appropriate for particular home styles. Other considerations include waterproof protection, insulation needs, and aesthetic appeal. Asphalt shingles are popular due to their durability and affordability, while metal roofs provide excellent protection against harsh weather conditions. Other alternatives include standing seam metal roofing, slate roofs, and concrete tiles.
Depending on the location and style of your home, you may opt for wood shingles or shakes for a classic or historic look. These are typically made from cedar or redwood, and can be stained to match the surrounding wood trim. Wood is a great choice in dry climates and requires regular maintenance to ensure its longevity.
Other roof materials include EPDM and TPO, which are rubber roofing membranes that offer heat retention and resistance against UV rays. These are more affordable than other options because the installation process is easier, requiring only a hot air gun and seam tape to create a watertight seal. These roofs also feature seams in the corners, where they meet with the fascia, which helps keep water out.
The underlying structure of a roof is known as the sheathing, and it’s a crucial part of any new roof. Sheathing is usually made from plywood or OSB and provides a solid base for the rest of the roofing system. If the sheathing is damaged, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
A good roof will have flashing that protects the edges of the shingles, and prevents water from entering the house through those areas. There are many different types of flashing, and you can find one that matches the existing shingles on your home. Some flashing is pre-painted steel, while others are aluminum or copper if you live near saltwater.
Pipe vents, ridge vents, and drip edge are other parts of a roof that require special attention. These pieces provide an extra barrier to keep water from entering the home, and they must be sealed with special materials that will not crack or deteriorate over time. Drip edge can be purchased in pre-painted steel or copper, while ridge vents and flashing are often available in a wide range of colors to suit your home’s style.
Installation
There are several different roofing materials to choose from based on the structure of your home, climate in your area and aesthetics. Our professional contractors will help you select the best material based on your needs. They will also discuss the installation process with you.
The first step in installing a new roof is to remove the existing shingles. The roofers will set up tarps around the work areas to keep debris and tools clean. Next, they will move any items that might be damaged by the new roof such as outdoor furniture and grills. They will also install ridge vents which are continuous vents along the roof’s peak and help to improve air circulation in the attic space.
Once the shingle removal is complete, the roofers will prepare the new roofing materials for installation. They will inspect the sheathing and roof decking for any damage and then replace boards as needed. They will also apply ice and water shield underlayment to prevent leaks. They will also use roofing cement to seal the flashing and in certain other leak-prone areas of the roof such as chimneys, wood stove pipes and vents.
Depending on the size of your roof and the roofing material, the installation may take up to a week or more. The final step is to clean up the work area, which will include sweeping any remaining shingles and other materials off of the gutters. The contractors will also vacuum the gutters and wash down the roof to clean the surface of the new shingles.
After the roofing contractor has installed your new roof, they will contact the city to ensure that all necessary permits have been obtained. It is important to have all of the appropriate permits in place to avoid getting fined for a new roof that is not up to code in your area.
Once the inspection has been completed by the city, you will receive a warranty certificate from the roofing contractor. It is important to read the entire warranty carefully to understand what is and is not covered by the warranty. For example, it is critical to understand that using non-approved shingles or roof materials will void the warranty and could lead to serious damage.
Warranty
With a major home investment like a new roof, it’s important to get the best warranty protection you can. Generally speaking, there are three types of warranties available for your new roof: standard manufacturer warranties that relate to the materials used in the project, workmanship warranties offered by the contractor you choose and extended manufacturer’s warranties that can be purchased when installing an entirely new roofing system.
Those that cover the entire roof system will usually cost more than those that only offer a material warranty, but they typically provide better coverage for leak repair within the duration of the warranty. A full roof system warranty will usually also include the manufacturers approved flashings, accessories and metal work used in the original installation as well as the roofing membrane itself.
Manufacturer warranty coverage varies and is often dependent on the type of roofing system installed and how it is maintained. In general, most will require that you hire only a certified contractor to perform any warranted repairs and that all installation errors be corrected during the initial repair work. Many manufacturers will even require an on-site inspection by their representative to verify the quality of a roofing system.
In addition, some warranties will exclude certain things like ponding water as an issue that is not related to the roof’s performance and can be caused by poor design flaws rather than a manufacturing defect. Other exclusions may relate to the use of non-manufactured roof components or any alterations made to a warranted roof that could result in issues like leaks.
A good roofer will be able to explain the various warranties that are available and help you determine which is best for your unique situation. Some of the most comprehensive warranties can be found from manufacturers who provide a “full roof system” warranty that is guaranteed for as long as you own your home and can be transferred to any new homeowner after you sell.
A good workmanship warranty will typically offer a longer coverage period than the standard manufacturer’s warranty but still requires that you work with a licensed and insured roofing company. Unlike the manufacture’s warranty, a workmanship warranty will not usually include protection against damage caused by weather events like hail or fallen tree limbs, which should be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.