What You Need to Know When Replacing Your Roof
A stylish, durable roof enhances the beauty of your home and protects your household from extreme weather. Unfortunately, roofing materials degrade over time because of long-term exposure to sunlight and rainfall.
When that happens, your roof no longer functions properly—rainwater may leak into your home, and the roof’s surface might not look beautiful anymore. In that case, installing new roofing materials is the best solution. But where do you begin if you want to replace an old roof?
First, you have to determine the most appropriate option between replacing and repairing a roof. You then need to choose the right roofing material, decide whether to hire a contractor or do the project yourself, and implement maintenance best practices after installation.
Should you repair or replace your roof? Each option is suitable under specific circumstances.
Installing a new roof where a simple repair will do results in wasting money on unnecessary replacement projects. Meanwhile, repairing a roof that needs replacement is a temporary fix that might appear cheaper in the short term, but becomes more expensive over time.
A roof damage inspection determines whether you need to repair or replace your roof—a professional can do the inspection for you. But if you want to do it yourself, look for the following signs:
Repair your roof when you notice:
While experts design popular roofing materials to be sturdy and long-lasting, there are roof conditions that you simply can’t repair. The following signs indicate it is time to replace your roof:
Strong winds can make asphalt shingles vibrate, resulting in cracks. The cracks create spaces for rainwater to seep through. Over time, the leakage may weaken the frame that supports your home’s roofing materials.
Also, rain and atmospheric moisture make roofs damp. Dampness favors the growth of mold and algae, which appear as dark stains on your roof. Their presence does not pose serious risks like leaks or structural damage, but they can diminish your property’s aesthetic appeal, especially if they grow throughout the roof.
Apart from extreme climatic elements, improper installation can cause roof failure. For instance, misaligned materials may leave gaps on your roof, providing channels for water leakages. Additionally, strong winds can blow away roofing materials that are not nailed properly onto the roofing frame.
After determining your home needs a roof replacement, the next step is to select a suitable material for your new roof. Luckily, you have multiple options when it comes to roof replacement materials. Comparing the cost, durability, perks, and downsides of different materials helps you narrow down your choices.
According to Forbes, asphalt covers the roofs of nearly 90% of US homes, making it the most popular roofing material. But why is it the first choice for homeowners in the United States? Asphalt is affordable—it costs between $4.25 and $25 per square foot for both material and installation. This material is a great option if your budget is tight.
However, affordability is just the tip of the iceberg. With a lifespan of up to three decades, asphalt is durable. So once you install new shingles on your roof, you’re sure you won’t embark on another roof replacement project anytime soon.
Additionally, asphalt is available in multiple colors. Whether you prefer classic black shingles or more vibrant shades like red, you can choose from different options to match your home’s style.
Clay tiles are your perfect roofing materials if you live in hot areas such as Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. Their insulating properties keep your home cool by reducing heat transfer from the roof to the interior of your house.
The roofing material is robust and resilient. With proper maintenance, it can protect your home for 50 to 100 years. That means you can have kids, get grandchildren, and even become a great-grandparent while the tiles are still on your roof functioning effectively. Clay tiles outlast popular asphalt shingles, but they are definitely pricier. Expect to pay anywhere from $7 to $28 per square foot to get them on your roof.
If color is a big deal when choosing a roofing material, clay tiles are available in different shades to meet your exterior style needs. Besides clay, there are concrete, composite, and slate roofing tiles.
While it’s easy to prioritize the longevity of clay tiles or fall in love with the stunning look of asphalt shingles, metal roofs have several hard-to-ignore benefits. For example, aluminum roofs are low maintenance, while those made of copper are highly corrosion-resistant. If you value durability and beauty, stainless steel is long-lasting and gives your roof a sleek, modern look.
Metal roofs can last anywhere from 40 and over 100 years. But they do cost a bit more upfront. You’re looking at spending between $5 to $40 per square foot for the metal itself, plus another $2 to $14 per square foot for installation.
Looking for the best roof replacement materials? Considering specific factors will help you choose the right material for your home.
Determine how much you’re willing to spend on roofing material and installation. Next, choose a material that’s within your budget, meets your longevity requirements, and withstands climatic conditions in your area.
In addition, consider the color of the roofing material. You want the appearance of your roof to blend perfectly with your home’s exterior look. Generally, bright-colored walls go well with dark-shaded roofs. If you live in one of those neighborhoods with homeowners associations (HOAs), there might be rules about what color your roof can be. Check with your HOA before deciding on your new roof's color.
Once you choose the best material for your roofing replacement project, you need to decide whether you’ll do the job yourself or hire a roof replacement contractor. Both options have perks and downsides.
Replacing your roof is a huge deal, and doing it yourself is a great achievement. Plus, it saves you a ton of cash by skipping out on labor expenses. But tackling this job on your own might not be the best idea if you are not a pro roofer.
Chances are, you don’t have all the right tools or know-how to replace your roof safely. And messing up during the installation can cost you way more in the long run and even put your family at risk. Not to mention, DIY roofing is a massive amount of work that can take forever if you’re not used to it or you don’t know where to begin. You might find yourself handling complicated tasks like:
When you hire a roof replacement contractor, a qualified professional does the heavy lifting for you.
The expert has the relevant knowledge and experience to install a roof quickly, professionally, and safely. You also won’t have to worry about obtaining permits and complying with building codes—the contractor will do all these for you.
How much you pay a roofer varies with contractors, your roof replacement materials, and your location. Generally, the average labor cost ranges from $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Installation expenses make hiring a contractor more expensive than DIY roofing, but it's worth it—you get rid of guesswork in the project and avoid costly mistakes.
Letting a roofer handle your roof replacement is the best way to get the job done correctly. However, not all roofing contractors are reliable. Here’s how to choose a roofer for your replacement project:
The roof replacement timeline depends on the size of your house—the larger the roof surface area, the longer it takes to install a new roof. But generally, a contractor may need between one and several days to complete the project. DIY roofing may take longer because of a lack of experience, specialized tools, and a crew.
Chances are that roofers won’t enter your house during roof replacement. But when they hammer in new roofing materials, you can count on intense vibrations that can disturb settled dust in your home.
If you have a room inside your roof (attic) and store items there, cover the products with sheets so they don’t collect dust during the roof installation.
Additionally, falling objects when removing the old roof may be a safety risk for your loved ones. Installing new roofing materials, on the other hand, can be pretty noisy. If you have kids or pets, sending them to stay with a family member or friend during the day might be a great idea.
Most importantly, remove any decorations hanging on the wall, such as mirrors and framed photos. You don’t want them falling off their hooks during the roof replacement.
After replacing your roof, regular roof maintenance is key. Without it, small roof problems can quickly become full-blown issues that are more expensive to solve.
Best roof maintenance practices include:
Maintenance practices are continuous. If you can’t implement them regularly on your own, maybe because you’re busy with work or family obligations, home warranty companies like AFC have technicians who can handle repairs and maintenance for you.
Replacing your roof with stylish, high-quality materials comes with multiple benefits. The revamped look can improve your home’s external beauty. It can also boost your house’s market value if you plan to sell the property. Plus, it’s a great way to solve failures related to old roofs, such as water leakages, and promote maximum comfort inside your home.
After replacement, you want the new roof to function effectively and retain its aesthetic appeal for decades. One way to achieve that is by signing up for home warranty coverage from AFC Home Warranty. We provide roof leak repair and maintenance coverage as an add-on to our base plans so you can keep your roof in great shape for years.
With AFC, you not only protect your home’s roof. Our plans also cover multiple household appliances, including:
Get a free quote today and choose a home warranty plan that best suits your budget and needs.
Coverage not available in WA, CA and HI