How Often Should You Replace Your Roof The Complete Guide
Are you wondering, how often should you replace your roof? That depends on a lot of factors including:
- what kind of roof you have
- how well you maintain it
- what kind of weather it endures
- if it has unfixed damage
Regardless, we have all the answers youre looking for right here in this guide.
Well start by explaining how long your roof should last on average, depending on what its made of. Then well go over the various factors that can affect your roofs lifespan and what they mean for you.
Ready to learn more? Then keep reading.
The Shingles Are Curling
Shingles can curl in two ways: There’s cupping, which happens when the edges of the shingles turn upward and there’s clawing, which is when the edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. “Both are signs of weathering and indicate that problems potentially leaks are relatively close to fruition,” says Mark Graham, vice president of the National Roofing Contractors Association.
How much time you’ve got left: “Depending on the extent of the curling, it could be anywhere from a year to five years before you need a new roof,” says Graham.
The Pros Of Completely Replacing The Roof
- Completely replacing the roof lasts longer than re-roofing.
- It can be done no matter how many layers of shingles are on the roof.
- Unlike, re-roofing that may cover up any issues with the deck, such as rot, which can eventually cause the roof to give out, a fully revamped roof addresses all issues for a safe and sturdier roof.
- Saves more money over the long haul because it enables you to identify early signs of rot and sagging caused by water damage to the deck, which can eventually permit water to leak and drip down inside the walls where it can damage the drywall and flooring and lead to costly repairs.
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Start Budgeting For Your Asphalt Roof Replacement
A roof replacement is an investment. And just like every other investment, its not cheap.
If your roof is 15 years old, youre going to need to replace it in 5-8 years. So start budgeting for it now. roof replacement estimate just so youll have an idea about how much you need to save when the time comes.
The numbers wont be the same because of the fluctuation of roofing material prices, but youll have an idea so you can start budgeting.
Difference Between Reroofing And Roof Replacement
Roofing over an existing roof is also called reroofing or an overlay. It is the process where roofers install a new roof over your existing one, i.e. add a new layer of shingles, which means that there is no tearing off of the old roof. It is important to know that this process can only be done once because you can only have two layers of shingles on your roof.
Roof replacement is the process of installing acompletely new roof that includes tear off of the old one. Roofers will teareverything off, down to the deck of the roof, and basically start from scratchwith the new roof, from putting felt paper to installing shingles. Since roofreplacement includes tearing everything off, it can be done on every roof, nomatter the number of shingle layers they are all going to be removed in anycase.
Roof replacement involves much more time and labor,and is, therefore, more expensive than reroofing. When a roof has no underlyingproblems, when it is old, and is simply losing its function, reroofing might bea better solution as it involves much less work on your home, as well as lessmoney.
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The Average Lifespan Of A Roof
Most homeowners expect their roofs to last as long as their houses. However, this will depend on the material used in the roofing. Different materials have different lifespans, so you may have to conduct a full replacement based on age alone.
Here is how the lifespan of different roofs compare
Clay/Concrete Tile Roofing
Clay/concrete tiles are very resistant and heavy. Thus, they need to be installed on top of extremely sturdy roofing reinforcement. This makes tiles one of the most durable roofing options, lasting anywhere between 50 and 100 years, longer than the average person will stay in any particular home.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roofs are not as sturdy as their tile counterparts, lasting an average of 15-20 years before needing replacement. However, if you pick an architectural asphalt shingle roof over a 3-tab one, you may be able to squeeze an extra ten years from them, giving you a total of around 30 years before your next replacement.
Wood Roofing
Wood shingles can last up to 50 years, but this will depend on how well you maintain your roofing. They require yearly cleanings and repainting/staining every five years because itâs easily damaged by moss and leaf accumulation. It is also a fire risk for your home, which can quickly become a reality if installed in a particularly hazardous area. As such, the average lifespan of wood shingles is 25 to 30 years.
Metal Roofing
Slate Roofing
How To Decide Between Re
If you are a homeowner with minor issues or leaks, which typically occur as the roof reaches the end of its lifespan, but the roof is in overall good shape, re-roofing may be for you.
If you only have one layer of asphalt shingles on your roof, you may also be a good candidate for re-roofing. However, if only a portion of the roof needs to be repaired, you may not want to forego re-roofing because only doing one section of the roof may cause it to be uneven in some areas, which will be noticeable.
If the roof already has at least two layers of shingles, both layers of shingles will need to be removed prior to partial re-roofing, which can increase labor costs as well as the cost for disposal. It also costs more for partial re-roofing because roofers typically charge per 10 x 10 square.
On the other hand, if your deck shows signs of major water damage, is sagging, or has large amounts of mildew or mold growth, then the deck will need to be repaired, which means you will need a complete roof overhaul.
A full roof overhaul may also be a great option for those who just want to rest soundly knowing your deck and your shingles are in pristine condition. Once the old materials are fully removed from your roof, the roofer will inspect for any signs of damage and repair any defects for a strong and sturdy roof that gives you peace of mind, as opposed to simply not knowing until it is too late, which is the risk you often take with re-roofing.
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How To Shingle A Roof
As you can imagine, installing shingles on a roof is going to depend on the type of shingles chosen. In some situations, its a good idea to call in a professional, especially if this isnt the kind of thing youve done before. If you want to know how to install roof shingles, here is a simple 15-step tutorial that can guide you or at least give you a moderate idea on what to expect:
Why Dont People Paint Their Roofs White
It turns out that painting your roof white is a huge waste of paint. Roofs and sidewalks are more able to absorb sunlight than greenery and lessen evaporation, which in turn reduces the natural cooling effect. Cities are also more populated, which means that heat is generated from air conditioning and transport.
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Whats The Cost Analysis Of Repairing Just Part Of A Roof
Many people opt for a partial roof repair job because they assume it will be cheaper. In fact, it will usually cost you more money, cost-per-square-foot, to repair just half of your roof rather than the entire thing.
This is because you still have to pay to get a roofing crew and all of their materials and equipment out to your site. While repairing half a roof is quicker and will take less material, youre paying more than you would for transportation and labor than you would if you just had the entire roof done at once.
In the end, if your roof needs just a few shingles replaced or a few minor patches made, you can get a roofer to make those small repairs for you. But, if you need anything more than half of your roof repaired, its in your best interest to simply re-roof your entire home. Re-roofing the home will offer you the best in quality, performance, and color consistency, and its also the more cost-effective option.
Still not sure how much of your roof to replace? Get in touch with Werner Roofing. We can come out to evaluate the condition of your roof and offer a free, no-obligation estimate for what could use fixing. Give us a call at 616-844-5382 or contact us online today for your free estimate.
How To Replace Asphalt Shingles
- Total Time: 1 – 2 hrs
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Many homes in the United States have asphalt shingle roofs. Asphalt shingles are an attractive option when considering a roof system for your home for many reasons. Among these are appearance, expected life span, and cost. Another reason that makes asphalt shingles attractive to most homeowners is the ease of repair if minor damages occur. Before getting started, verify whether or not you have an existing warranty on your shingle roof system which may cover the materials, labor, or both.
Repairs to an asphalt shingle roof system require proper preparation for safety and completion of the repair. When working on shingles, you are working at elevated heights on roof slopes that may impact your ability to walk safely. If you are in doubt about your ability to safely complete the repair, please contact a roofing professional to complete the repair for you. If you are comfortable with labor-intensive home repairs, not afraid of heights or tall ladders, and you can safely use hand tools while balancing on a sloped surface, then you should feel confident to take on this project.
- Utility knife with a hook blade
- Extension ladder
- Shingles in quantity and style to match existing roof
- Underlayment
- Asphalt mastic in a caulk tube
- Bungee cords or wire
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Your Asphalt Roof Is About 20 Years Old
The life of a roof is how many years you get out of it. For a standard 3-tab asphalt shingle roof, thats 25-years.
As long as your roof has been properly ventilated and installed you should get pretty close to that 25 years of roof life. So obviously you want to replace your roof before it starts leaking or fails completely.
A reputable roofing contractor will recommend that you replace your roof somewhere around 80-85% of the manufacturers life of the roof. For example, you should consider replacing a 25-year roof around the 20-year mark.
Dont wait until its too late, get ahead of any potential problems and replace your roof before the end of its life.
Can You Change The Color Of Your Shingles
You can change the color of an asphalt shingle in a matter of days, without having to replace the roof. Many homes have shingle roofs made of fiberglass or asphalt. Roofs should be in good shape and free from any debris, mold, mildew, or other problems. Once the roof has been cleaned, it is possible to change the color over the course of several days.
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Shingles Blew Off The Roof What Caused It
We have the expectation that roofs, including its parts and accessories, are sturdy and weatherproof. That nothing can easily knock them down.
Imagine the surprise of homeowners who never expected the shingles of their roof to suddenly go missing after a particularly windy day.
Before addressing the problem, you should know why your shingles got blown off in the first play to avoid any possible repeat of this experience.
To start with, shingles are normally attached in one of two ways: either using an adhesive strip or roofing nails. Some even choose to do both.
Adhesive strips are placed on the back side of shingles, particularly at the bottom part. This part is then stacked to the upper part of the shingle below it, resulting in a tight seal for the connected shingles and it makes it harder for water to enter in-between them.
Roofing nails come with heads that are wide and flat and have short bodies with pointed ends. These nails are then hammered to the shingle and roof decking without causing damage to it.
Any of these two methods will secure your shingles. But, why do they still fail to stay put on your roof? Here are the most common reasons:
- Installation is done incorrectly since they are poorly secured, any strong gust of wind is enough to separate a loose shingle from the roof. Nailing strips are there for a reason and unlicensed installers and DIYers often make the mistake of putting the nails above it, not on it.
What Is The Difference Between 3 Tab Shingles And Dimensional Shingles
3-tab shingles are made with three asphalt tabs on each tile. They are composed of a flat and lightweight layer, resulting in a uniform shingle. Dimensional shingles come with tabs that are available in different sizes. When they are installed, they create a more interesting layered effect. They are usually made with at least two layers, which makes them thicker and heavier compared to 3-tab shingles.
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Cost Of Shingle Replacement
Most homeowners use shingles as the material for their roofing needs. No surprise there. After all, shingles are known for their durability, low cost, easy installation, and availability.
But make no mistake, having your roof shingles replaced can be costly, especially if they are made of expensive material.
Here are the factors involved in the cost of replacing roof shingles.
What Is Involved In A Roof Replacement
When your roof is fully replaced, the old shingles are stripped from the roof, exposing the deck. An underlayment or felt paper is then applied to the deck to help protect it from water and other elements. The new shingles are then installed on top of the underlayment or felt paper for a new roof that lasts for 20 years or more.
If the deck is severely damaged, it will need to be repaired to prevent further damage, which can eventually cause a hole underneath.
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Can You Replace Shingles On Your Roof
Cut off the damage tab of the shingle with a utility knife, or remove the entire piece. Slip the new shingle or tab in place, and secure it under the shingle above with 7/8 roofing nails. Once the damaged shingle has been replaced, lift the tab up and apply a dab of roof cement to seal the shingles to the roof.
Keeping this in consideration, how much does it cost to replace a few shingles on a roof?
Most home owners spend between $300 and $1,100 for a roof repair, or an average of $650 per repair call. Typically, a job is to repair leaks. Seal the leak, replace shingles, seal the shingles. If there is a small area and few shingles being repaired, it will likely be on the low end, or as little as $150.
Additionally, how do I know if I need to replace my roof or replace the patch? Make sure you pay attention to these warning signs as they help you determine if you need to repair, patch or replace your roof.
Hereof, can I replace part of my roof?
Patching Damaged AreasUnderstandably, many homeowners wonder if they can patch a damaged or deteriorating section of roof rather than replace the entire thing. They may even opt to roof over the existing shingles instead of tearing off the old roof. If you notice any sagging, don’t wait to call a roofing contractor.
Can you put new shingles on top of old ones?
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Select A Grade: Better/best
BETTER/BEST: Laminated shingles
Instead of one layer, laminated, or architectural, shingles have two or more layers with three-dimensional tabs of varying sizes. The shingles are usually the same size as the basic three tab, but a laminated shingle can weigh up to 50 percent more, which may increase durability and come with a longer warranty.
PROS: The thicker tabs vary in size and shape for more dimension and crisper shadow lines, suggestive of wood or slate. Laminated shingles offer the greatest range of colored granules.
CONS: More expensive than three-tab shingles.
PRICE: $60 to over $280 per roofing square for special shapes.*
* Shingles are priced per roofing square, which is equal to 100 square feet.
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Replace Or Repair Your Roof Nine Faqs To Consider
Does your roof have a few damaged or missing shingles? Is there a leak? Is your roof over 10 years old? Just because answered âyesâ to any of these questions, doesnât mean that you automatically need a roof replacement. There is a roof replacement alternative! The truth is that just about any roof, regardless of its condition, can be repaired and last for many more years. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about roof replacement:
What are those ugly black streaks on my roof?Asphalt roof shingles are not just asphalt. Although the composition changes from one manufacturer to the next, the majority are a combination of asphalt, fibrous paper, various minerals and fiberglass. Unfortunately, the mineral filler used asphalt shingles is very attractive to airborne algae spores known as gloeocapsa magma. These spores usually appear as black stains or streaks on your roof. You could spend the $11,000 or more that a roof replacement costs but still have your new roof become infested if your neighborhood has other roofs infested with algae.
My roof has moss growing on it. Does that mean itâs too late to repair?Moss and lichens tend to grow on roofs where climates are humid and there is plenty of shade. Roof moss and lichens grow into the slots and edges of asphalt shingles, causing them to lift and making the roof more susceptible to damage and leaks.
Having problems with your roof? Why not contact us for a free inspection?
