If you’re thinking about putting a new roof on your home, your choice of roofing materials has a direct relationship with how long you can expect your new roof to last.
The longest-lasting products, such as concrete, clay, or slate tiles are extremely durable. These tiles outperform other manufactured roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and metal roofing, by a significant margin.
These have a good lifespan but aren’t quite as durable.
Other factors to take into account are regional weather conditions, the design of your home, and the amount of routine maintenance the materials will need.
In short, the quality of the roofing materials you invest in plays a critical role in determining the life expectancy of your new roof.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, most roofing products are designed to last at least several decades under normal weather conditions. Let’s take a closer look at how the longevity of different materials is rated.
Usually, asphalt shingles last about 20 years; but, higher-quality asphalt shingles can be warrantied for up to 50 years. However, you can expect to pay more for a premium, long-life product.
These are asphalt shingles that are thicker, which can create an appearance similar to slate, or clay tiles at a lower cost. Architectural asphalt shingles last about 30 years on average.
Wood roofing has an expected lifetime of about 30 years, but it can last much longer under moderate weather conditions. Not really used much anymore in our extreme summer heat.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors projects metal roofing to last between 40 to 80 years. The Metal Roofing Alliance gives a life expectancy of at least 40 to 60 years.
Each of these products is rated for a life expectancy of 100 years or more by both the NAHB and NACHI. The underlayment beneath the tiles usually needs to be addressed every 15-20 years, however.
How long your roof lasts is directly related to the cost of the materials you choose.
Asphalt shingles are among the least expensive residential roofing products. But, the difficulty of installation will greatly increase the cost per square foot.
Architectural shingles, which are twice as thick (and heavy) as asphalt costs almost twice as much as regular asphalt shingles.
Metal roofing materials are a premium home product, and costs run about two to three times that of asphalt shingles. It’s comparable to tile or cedar shakes, but less expensive than slate.
Expect to pay between $5.00 to as much as $15 per square foot. Adding a breathable underlayment is recommended and can increase these figures also.
Simple roofing designs with tile or slate cost about $15-20 per square foot, but more complicated architectural designs and premium slate or tile roofing materials can cost as much as $40-50 per square foot.
Asphalt shingles are the most extensively used roofing product in the United States says the National Roofing Contractors Association. They are relatively inexpensive, and there is a wide choice of colors, patterns, and styles to choose from.
Architectural asphalt shingles are a recently developed product. It's a material made from engineered polymer composites that look like cedar wood shakes or slate tiles.
The good news is that they’re much less expensive than natural products; the bad news is that they don’t have a long history of performance benchmarks to analyze.
Metal roofing materials, including metal shingles, slates, tiles, and vertical panels, weigh up to 50% less than asphalt shingles and 75 percent lighter than tiles.
The problems they have are the same as the other materials: leaks, punctures or tears, and pooling water.
Wood shakes typically get warped from a lifetime of wetting and drying with the seasons. This can jeopardize the integrity of the roof.
But, they’re still a popular choice in many parts of the country. Pressure-treated shakes will hold up better, and thick-cut cedar shakes generally last longer than thinner cedar shingles.
The main drawback with slate or tile roofing is its weight. 3/8-inch thick slate or tile can weigh as much as 1,500 pounds per square (a 10-foot by 10-foot area), and each additional 1/8-inch thickness increases the weight by 500 pounds per square.
Before choosing a type of new roof, consider how much you want to invest, what types of roofing products are used in your neighborhood, and how long you expect to be living in your property.
It would also be a good idea to consult with an experienced, professional roofing contractor about which materials are the best fit for your property and area.
There are many things to consider when making the decision to do a shingle roof installation on your home. Your property in the interior of your home depends on having a quality roof overhead.
Anytime the roof’s structure is in trouble, you need to take action right away to fix the issue.
This article will discuss 10 steps you can take to ensure your shingle roofing system is up to par for your peace of mind.
Like many home improvement projects, installing a new roof is expensive.
One way you may think you can save money is with a “roof over” or by re-roofing- this entails placing the brand-new shingles immediately over the age-old ones.
While it might seem advisable and allow you to save money in lower disposal and labor expenditures, the problems will probably outweigh the benefits.
Roof overs may actually reduce the life of brand-new shingles due to heat buildup and issues with moisture.
There are also possible problems with the underlying decking that are not seen and restored. Check your shingle warranty to avoid loss of coverage due to an ill-advised roof over.
For a shingle roof installation, contractors will measure your roof and offer you an estimate based on the number of squares of shingles needed. A square is a material needed to cover 100 square feet, so a roof with 20 squares has 2,000 square feet of surface area that needs to be covered.
One element that contributes to the long life of your roof is the right amount of ventilation. Ascertaining your roof system has the necessary ventilation can modulate the attic temperatures in the summer and reduce moisture being developed in winter.
Request your contractor supply you with the kind of venting that is included with the roofing project to make sure your roof lasts through its warranty period.
Part of professional roof repair is not only removing all the old shingles but making any needed repairs to the underlying wood substructure.
Your contractor should address this and allow for these kinds of repairs if needed in your agreement.
Placing brand-new shingles over faulty wood is never advisable and will reduce the life of the brand-new roofing materials.
Shingles should never be affixed directly to raw lumber on the roof. Protective coverings made of felt or other materials offer additional heat and water shields needed to fully protect your dwelling. This is especially important in areas with heavy rains or icy temperatures.
Likewise ensure the contractor includes all the additional substances needed for a proper roof replacement like fasteners, flashing, and drip boundaries are a part of the estimate.
A properly functioning roof system will protect your home and possessions for many years. Be sure you discuss what this assessment consists of and how your contractor will ensure that your brand-new roof is finished to your satisfaction.
Some roofing contractors will provide independent inspections and certifications for your complete peace of mind.
In evaluating the quality of the roofing materials and their installation, the warranty and performance relevant to the wind is a major factor in evaluating which product to purchase.
This is especially important in areas where monsoon storms, microbursts, or other severe weather patterns can cause severe wind damage.
Wind speed warranties can be as low as 60 miles per hour and can cover up to 130 miles per hour. Properly installed, acquiring shingles with higher wind warranties can be the difference between a brand-new roof and complete protection should you experience severe weather.
Is your contractor licensed and bonded? Does your contractor have proper insurance? What warranties do they offer for materials and labor?
Do they secure the proper permits and follow all local, regional codes and regulations? How reliable are they? What work have they performed previously in your geographic area?
One of the most important parts of any residence improvement project is the service you get after the project is complete.
Does your contractor offer a standard warranty? What does that include for products, labor, and parts? For what length of the period does the warranty have?
Is there an extended warranty available? What does that include and for how long? What does it cost? How do you request service calls? Is there a cost for service calls? Will the company be there over the next 10 years if you need them?
The natural inclination is to find the lowest cost. While cost should always be a factor, the most important part of the decision should be appreciable value and your return on investment.
Will the contractor give you a fair estimate and one that handles the cost of quality products and professional installation?
Does the estimate encompass all facets of your roof replacement including ventilation, protective coverings, fasteners, permits, and inspections, flashing as well as removal and dumping of the old roofing substance and delivery of brand-new materials?
Does the estimate encompass all labor, project management, and coordination? Are there allowances for unforeseen expenditures such as repair or replacing the underlying wood structures? Peace of mind, quality substances, and complete project specs are as important and will provide you with a roof that lasts a lifetime.
A new roof is a big investment that typically can cost thousands of dollars. The materials you use will be a small portion of your investment.
Most of it will go toward the skilled labor involved. That means choosing an experienced roof installation contractor is the best route to protect your investment and ensure a proper job.
Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, roofing is a business that requires little more than a pickup, a ladder, and some basic tools start, so you have to be careful and diligent in choosing the right roofer for your project.
If you can get recommendations from a neighbor, friend, or someone you are familiar with, it's probably the best route to proceed.
Gather the names of at least two potential companies. Make sure each one has been in business for a minimum of five years. Roofing corporations who do bad work generally won’t be in a business that long and are usually unlicensed.
Check the availability of your roofer. There’s no reason to waste time if they’re booked up for months. Make sure to get calls and addresses of past customers, and eliminate any contractor that is hesitant to provide them.
Do a drive-by inspection of a few of their recent projects. If it's a shingle roof, visually make sure that the spaces between individual shingle tabs, known as water gaps, line up laser-straight as they alternate shingle rows.
Make sure the shingles are trimmed in a clean path along the valleys where they overlap the flashing. On the ends of the roof, shingles should also be neatly trimmed so they align with the leading edge of the roof. Ragged paths mean poor work.
Likewise look for neat, tar-free flashing at the roof valleys and at the eaves.
If the roofs look like they stand up to scrutiny, call their past customers and ask them these questions:
When a roofing company comes by to estimate your job and work up a price quote, notice their look. If they aren’t clean enough to sit at your dinner table, do you really want them working on your property?
Make sure to detail the entire assortment of your expectations. Know who will be doing the work and who the main foreman will be. Always get everything in writing.
If you like them, then it’s time to ask if they carry workman’s compensation coverage and at the least$ 1 million of liability insurance.
Get the name and contact information of the roofer’s insurance agent and ask the agent for their proof-of-insurance certifications.
After you’ve seen these documents, then it's time to talk about an estimate, which they should be doing for free.
Make sure you get a warranty that takes care of leaks, flashing loss or failure, and any other labor-related issues.
A one-year warranty is a minimum you should get, but two or three years is what you should really demand. These same specifications need to be in the contract, which should also include what type of quality materials they will be using.
Make sure you ask for the highest-rated, longest-lasting shingles or tiles you can afford to pay for.
Manufacturers generally warrant their products for 20 to 30 years.
Some can be voided if shingles are put on over existing ones, so tearing off the existing layer of shingles might be required, which would be an additional expense. Asphalt shingle roofs should last 13 to 15 years on average, so a 20-year warranty is what you would want.
Tiles should last 30 to 40 years. Make sure to get the proper paperwork and proof of purchase required, in case you have to pursue any problems that arise in the future.
A tile roof adds a rich and elegant look to any residence, while giving it a durable, fire-safe protective layer that is also resistant to bugs and rot. It won’t grow mold, stain or lose any of its color as years go by. For these reasons, a tile roof installation is a great choice for your roof.
Tiles are generally made of concrete or ceramic clay, and come in a broad range of traditional and modern designs. Concrete tile is generally warranted for at least 50 years, while ceramic clay can be warranted for 75 years or more.
When it comes to first impressions you only get one chance; that is why it’s called the first. Your homes first impression comes from its curb appeal and your roof installation can greatly affect it. This isn’t something most homeowners think about when it comes to home improvements and renovations.
The reality is that curb appeal can truly end up being the deal maker or breaker when it comes to selling your house. Without a doubt, one of your top priorities when it comes to improving your home should be the homes exterior, and your roof installation is an important part of that.
Besides your home’s landscaping, windows, siding, your roof installation is beyond important when it comes to curb appeal. Your home’s roof installation is one of the main aspects of your home seeing that is covers about fifty percent of the home visible surface. The roof installation often goes unnoticed by homeowners as it is not something that requires constant attention. With your home’s roof, often yearly maintenance is enough to keep the roof functioning structurally as well as looking good. Therefore it is often something that is overlooked with the overall curb appeal of your home. The time will come when your home needs a new roof installation to maintain curb appeal and maintain its structure.
An experienced roofing installation contractor is the best source of information when it comes to your new roof installation. Many homeowners are inclined to select a roofing material based on their limited knowledge in roofing, the color of the shingles or even the price. An experienced roofer takes all of this into consideration as well as more important criteria such as durability, climate, weather conditions, and exposure. With this information they find a roofing material that will not only withstand the test of time, add curb appeal but also give you the best value for your new roof. Roofing contractors also have the added advantage of experience with different roofing materials and styles. Roofers have the ability to look at the exterior of the home and recommend products that will enhance the existing exterior.
This is also true of homeowners that are looking into changing the exterior all together as well. There is more to roof installation than choosing between shingles, tile and foam roofing. Asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles just like tile roofing. Roofing professionals will perform a roof installation that enhances your homes curb appeal using appropriate materials that will stand the test of time taking into consideration natural elements that affect your roofs durability. More Information: Mikku and Sons Roofing offer a variety of roofing services throughout the greater Phoenix area, including roof installation of shingle roofs, tile roofing, flat and foam roofing and roof repairs.
