There is no such thing as a common roofing job, so any discussion about roofing expenses needs to point that out. There are many factors that will effect what a new roof cost might be including roof pitch and size, materials, damage level, accessibility and more.
Your neighbor may have totally different criteria for a new roof than yours. As an example, your roof could be more weather damaged and worn, besides the differences in pitch and size. Also, you might want to add additional features like solar shingles or dormer windows that allow more light into your attic.
The ease of access and the number of stories your property have will affect your estimate. If your property is two stories or more, your cost will be higher. Also, if the roofer has more difficulty getting to the roof, like if you have a townhouse or other type of property that attaches to another dwelling.
The pitch of your roof, whether it be steep or a mild slope will have an effect on your estimate. Likewise, if your roof has a large number of hips and valleys in its design, it will be more difficult to install. Style refers to the basic shape of your roof. If you have extra features built in to your roof design, like dormer windows, vent covers, chimneys, skylights, etc., that will make the difficulty factor rise and increase your cost.
Pricing can be affected by where you live, your geographic location, whether it be in a rural or urban location.
If you live in an area with extreme heat, heavy snowfall or high winds, your roof will need particular fortifications that will increase your costs.
There’s a lot of choices available to you regarding materials, depending on your budget and tastes. One thing to be careful of though. Be sure that , if you have chosen a breakable material, such as concrete or clay tile, you order enough material to allow for broken material during the installation process.
If your home is older, it may have some structural deterioration, which would mean an increase in your labor expenses.
Size and dimensions. You can get a rough estimate yourself by measuring the the perimeter of your home, but a professional will climb onto your roof and get precise measurements.
The steeper the pitch of your roof, the more expensive it will be due to the additional material needed.
Its less expensive to add a layer over the top of existing shingles. But, if you already have several layers of shingles, you may have no choice other than stripping them off first, which is called a “tear-off”. If you’re installing a particularly heavy material like slat or concrete tile, in addition to the tear-off, you may need to reinforce your trusses and roof structure. You’ll need to get rid of the old material and it will add significant labor hours to your project.
There are other, less predictable factors that can add to your cost. Your roofing contractor might find that your flashing is damaged or your roof decking has deteriorated and needs repair first, which will lengthen the time for the project and add additional expenses.
Getting quotes from several reliable roofing companies is the best way to find out what your new roof will cost. You should not be charged for an estimate by a legitimate, professional roofing contractor. If you get an estimate that seems substantially lower than the others, be wary. Its likely to produce a poor installation. Get references from any company that is giving you a quote and make sure you do your due diligence on those references. Go to your homeowners insurance policy and see if your new roof can be covered under the policy.
How do you know when to repair or replace your roof? When do roof leaks become too expensive?
The lifespan of your roof depends on the materials used when its built. Usually, shingles have a life expectancy of 20-30 years (depending on the quality of the shingles you choose), while a foam roof, properly maintained, can last up to 50 years.
Of course, we have additional factors that come in to play in the Southwest. The heat, and especially the hot sun, are the main reasons for natural aging, and southern exposures usually have the most wear and tear. Wind, hail, bad drainage, tree branches, pollution and weather extremes also contribute to the aging of a roof. Of course, the easiest way to avoid having a roof replaced is to take care of the materials and fix any found damages right away.
If you’re questioning whether to repair or replace your roof, here are 10 signs to watch for that might be an indication that it’s time for a roof replacement:
If you answered yes to some of these, then you need to compare the expenses involved. If you figure the amount to repair the roof will be $2,500 and will last five years, when it will need to be repeated. Compare that to the cost of a new roof that will need only routine maintenance and could last up to 30 years. It might make more sense to spend the money now and save a larger amount of money later in future repair expenses.
However, be careful, you need to be aware that putting off a roof replacement can cost you more down the road. Poor maintenance routines can allow moisture to penetrate the membrane and cause damage to your insulations and roof deck. If you need to replace these along with roof materials you will have a much bigger roofing expense to deal with.
Before choosing a roofing system, a home or business owner needs to know how sturdy the roof structure is and what kind of weight load it can handle. For example, not all building structures are designed to handle the weight of ceramic or concrete tiles. In addition, the pitch and size of the roof may play a factor in selecting materials. Once the weight limit, size and pitch are known, then the choice of appropriate materials can be made. Here are some things home and business owners should think about when making a choice.
Clay, terracotta, slate and concrete tile roofing materials are very common throughout the southwest, particularly in the Phoenix area. This type of material holds up well to the extreme weather conditions in Arizona and is particularly impact-resistant to falling debris and hail. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a roofing system. It also allows a certain amount of air circulation up under the tiles, helping to keep your roof cooler in the heat. Since it comes in a variety of colors and shapes, it is also extremely attractive. However, the weight may be a factor when selecting this type of material.
Foam roofing is most often used on flat surfaces, but thanks to its ability to flow when it is applied, foam can be put on almost any type of roof surface. With proper maintenance (every 10-15 years) this material can last more than 50 years. Foam roofs are also very light weight, much more so than more traditional roofing material options. It is also durable, impact resistant and very energy efficient. Foam roofing frequently produces an energy savings of 30% or greater when compared to the alternative roofing systems.
Standard asphalt shingles have three tabs and tend to have a repetitive pattern from one home or business to the next, although they do come in a variety of colors. In contrast, dimensional shingles, also known as architectural or laminated shingles, have two layers of shingle material bonded together, but random notches have been taken out, exposing the bottom layer. This gives these new shingles a three dimensional look to the roof, with different high and low tabs. Because of the double bonded layer, dimensional shingles actually offer more protection and impact resistance from wind and hail — with the heaviest grades able to withstand 120 mph winds. They also have a longer lifespan — 40 years compared to the average 20 years for the single layer asphalt shingles.
Single ply roofing is one of the fastest growing roofing applications for flat roofs in the world. Widely used in the Southwestern United States, these white-colored roofing systems are highly reflective and energy efficient, often Energy Star rated. Major manufactures including Firestone manufacture this product, and offer 10-30 year warranties. Single Ply roofs also offer creativity in the insulation package that can be installed underneath the membrane, with availability of R-30 and beyond.
During the summer months, most people wear lighter colored clothing because light colors reflect heat and sunlight, whereas dark colors absorb it. Buildings are the same as people. A dark-colored roof will be hotter than a light-colored roof. The term “Cool Roof” refers to roofing materials that reflect the sun’s energy from the roof surface. Cool materials for low-slope roofs are mainly bright white in color, although non-white colors are starting to become available for sloped roof applications.
Cool Roofs must also have high emissivity, allowing them to emit infrared energy. For instance, metal roofing tends to have low emissivity and is not considered a cool material. Cool roofs can reduce the roof surface temperature by up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby reducing the heat transferred into the building below. This helps to reduce energy costs (by keeping attics and ducts cooler), improve occupant comfort, cut maintenance costs, increase the life cycle of the roof, and reduce urban heat islands along with associated smog.
