Average Roofing Material Prices Per Square Foot
When it comes to remodelling projects, repeat after us: Paying less up front wont always save you money in the long run. For example, a less costly roofing shingle that requires replacing every ten years could end up costing you more money than a pricier option that you dont need to re-do as often.
What does cost per square mean?
A roofing square is calculated per 100 square feet. So if you see a price that says $200 per square, that means each square foot is $2. To calculate the cost of a roofing square, multiply the cost per square foot by 100 or simply move the decimal two digits to the right.
Garage Roof Replacement Cost
Garage roof replacement costs $1,000 to $2,500 on average, depending on the size, pitch, and materials. Installing a new roof on a 280 square foot 1-car garage costs $1,000 to $2,000, and a 400 square foot 2-car garage runs $1,500 to $3,200, depending if it’s asphalt or metal.
Garage Roof Replacement Cost
The garage sizes used for the table above are:
- 1 car – 12 by 12
- 2 car 20 by 20
- 3 car 36 by 24
The prices you see locally will be more or less depending on where you live, time of year, and the pitch of the roof. These prices would be the same if you were looking for the cost of a new roof for a detached house or workshop of a similar size.
How Long Do Roofs Last 5 Roof Types And Their Lifespans
The age of your roof is a great way to determine if its time for a roof replacement. Image source: Advantage Roofing
Whether youre buying a new home or youre planning on staying put in your current house, you probably have an idea of the condition of your roof. But, it can be hard for homeowners to gauge exactly when they should get a roof replacement.
In this article, we discuss 5 different types of roofs, how long each different roof type lasts, and what signs to look out for when your roof needs to be replaced.
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How Long Does A Slate Roof Last
Like a cedar shake roof, a slate roof is made primarily out of natural materials.
As long as your slate roof is properly installed and flashed properly, itll be the last roof you ever put on your home. Its hard to put an exact number on a slate roofs lifespan, but theres no reason it shouldnt last around 75 years or even close to 100.
We even like to say your grandkids wont have to worry about it. If youre looking for a forever material that wont need to be replaced in your lifetime, a slate roof is a great option.
Just like a cedar shake roof, theres no manufacturer warranty on the slate materials themselves if they fail prematurely.
Some Other Options You Could Look Into
Some other, less popular, roofing materials are wood shake/shingles and clay tiles. These options are all very unique and aesthetically pleasing. Wood shake/shingles will last you about 30 years and clay tiles can last up to 50 years. Both of these options tend to be more expensive and there are less roofing companies available to install these specific roofing materials.
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What Is The Cost Of A New Roof And Gutters
The total cost to get your roof and gutters replaced is $9,540 on a 1,500 square foot home. The average cost of new gutters is going to be close to $1,060 for 160 feet of gutters, or $3.60 to $28 per foot. Installing an asphalt roof on the same 1,500 square foot house with an average pitch of 6/12 will average $8,480, including the cost to remove the old roof.
Understanding The Cost Of Replacing Your Roof
If your home has one or more of the signs you need a new roof, you could be in for a significant expense. It typically costs between $5,500 and $11,000 to replace a residential roof. Costs will vary by the size and complexity of the roof as well as your location.
There are roof financing options to help you pay for a new roof. Some roofing companies offer payment plans, or you could also opt for a home equity loan or a home improvement loan. Sometimes, insurance companies will pay for new roofing if the damage has resulted from a specific event, but this is typically rare. The expense of a new roof can be daunting. Fortunately, there are other options that can save you thousands.
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How Old Is My Roof 5 Quick Ways To Know Your Roofs Age
Estimating how old a roof is can be difficult at times. In some cases, the easiest way to know how old your roof actually is is to check on documentation from previous replacements, but that isnt always possible to do. If these problems are ignored, it could be a lot more painful to fix later on down the road. Thats why we want to help you identify how old your roof is.
How old is my roof? To see how old your roof is, you need to:
Looks can be deceiving when it comes to roofing that has aged out. Even if things appear normal by looking at them, its not a bad idea to have a contractor come out and do a real inspection of the roof in question. Unseen issues can be hidden by the shingles that you would have otherwise not have noticed. Here are some practical ways to do some assessments on your own before the roof inspection takes place.
How Long Does An Asphalt Roof Last
There are 3 different types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab, architectural, and luxury. All three have different lifespans specified by the manufacturer of the asphalt shingles.
3-tab shingles have a lifespan of 25 years and live the shortest of the three types. Architectural and luxury shingles both have a lifespan of 30 years, but luxury shingles have the possibility to go over 30 years.
You should realistically get around 80-85% of the life span out of the asphalt shingles. This means you can expect to get around 20 years out of your 3-tab shingle roof and around 25 years out of your architectural shingles.
On the other hand, luxury shingles are thicker and should get up to around 30 years. In perfect conditions, you can stretch that number even further.
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Curled Buckled Or Missing Shingles
As a roof ages, the layers holding together shingles begin to peel away from each other. Shingles that are curled or look warped are a classic sign of old roof age. If most of your shingles are curled, your roof is vulnerable to leaks and other types of damage. Youll want to replace any old shingles immediately to keep your home protected. Should you get a new roof? That will depend on the extent of the damage and how much needs to be replaced.
Additionally, if you notice shingles missing from your roof, replace them. Missing shingles can also be a warning sign that your roof is in need of additional repair.
Your Asphalt Roof Fails Prematurely
Your roofing materials should live as long as the manufacturer specifies. However, there are cases when your roof fails prematurely and leads to a roof replacement well before you should need one.
Two of the common causes of premature roof failure are improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation.
When your roof wasnt installed using correct roofing techniques youre going to find shingles in your yard or even full sections sliding off your roof. If your attic wasnt properly ventilated then the damage from the trapped heat and cold will drastically shorten your roofs life.
Be aware, when your roof isnt properly ventilated or properly installed the manufacturers warranty on your roofing materials will be voided. This leaves you with only your contractors workmanship warranty to fall back on to replace your prematurely failed roof.
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How Long Should A Roof Last
Its a good idea to know how long a roof typically lasts when estimating its age. A properly installed asphalt shingle roof installed with high-quality materials should last 20 years. It could even still look great! On the other hand, a poorly-installed roof with low-quality materials can start to look shoddy after only nine years.
How Often Should I Replace My Roof
In this modern day and age, it seems like almost everything from cellphones to new cars are designed to be thrown out or replaced after just a few years. While this might not be a bad thing as far as technology is concerned, most homeowners very often focus on custom home renovations, but sometimes dont want to invest in a roof that needs to be repaired or replaced as often as a trend-obsessed teenagers smartphone.
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Check Your Citys Building Permit Records
A great place to check for information on work that has been done on your home is your city. Call the department that issues and archives building permits. In most places, construction work, especially that on a scale as large as a roof, requires a permit issued by the local municipality. These permits are public records and often indicate the date of the project, inspection records, and the contractor who performed the work.
How Often Does A Roof Need To Be Replaced
Lets start with the good news. Roofs in general have a good long lifespan. The other side of the coin, of course, is that the roof of your home may already have been in place for many years.
The life expectancy of a roof varies according to the material from which it is made so heres what you need to know for each type.
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Average Lifespan Of A Roofing Material
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles have a lifespan that ranges from 15 to 20 years. However, some types, such as architectural asphalt, are superior and will last longer. Their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions can give them an additional 10 years compared to 3-tab shingles.
Clay/Cement Tile Roofing
Concrete or clay tiles are some of the most durable roofing materials in the current market because they can withstand natural elements without wearing off easily. On the downside, they are very heavy, which makes installation a little challenging. It also means the roof must be reinforced before the installation of the tiles.
However, the additional sturdiness helps protect the roof further. Their lifespan ranges between 50 to 100 years.
Slate Roofing
Slate roofing is the most long-lasting option out of all roofing types. It can go up to 125 years without needing replacement. If climatic conditions are adverse, the slate will last 100 years.
Wood Shingles
If you have wood shingles, expect them to last for at least 15 years and at most 30 years. The longevity will depend on the maintenance routines because these roofing materials cannot remain sturdy without being tended to. You have to clean the roof regularly to remove debris and moss that could accumulate moisture and cause the roof to decay. Wood shingles are also susceptible to fire damage.
With regular maintenance and fire-resistant coating, these roofing materials can last up to 50 years or more.
Wood Shakes
How To Find Out How Old Your Roof Is
If you are a new homeowner or have just purchased your home in the past few years, you are surely still getting to know your home. Despite the showings, inspections, and disclosures in the sales agreement, you have probably found many things you never thought to ask about that in hindsight, you should have. Chances are one of those things is the age of the roof.
If there was no visible water damage inside or noticeable roof damage when you bought the house, you may have never thought to question whether you would need to replace the roof within the first few years. However, a roof takes a beating. It may have more wear than you would have thought. If you are wondering just how old your roof is and how much longer it will last, there are a few ways you can ask to assess its remaining lifespan.
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What Is A Roof System
A residential roof system is mainly comprised of many parts including roof deck, underlayment, flashings, attic ventilation, and the roof covering. A correctly installed roof system uses material from a single manufacturer. This ensures that all components are designed to be fitted together to provide the optimal amount of water protection.
Installing a complete roof system on your home from a single manufacturer will often include enhanced warranty coverage.
Are You Selling Your House In The Next 5 Years
Just like every roof replacement is different, so is everyones situation. You have to take your future plans into consideration when deciding if you should replace your roof.
If youre older, settled in your forever home, and know your roof is around that 20-year mark, then you might just want to throw a new roof on and forget about it.
If youre close to the 20-year mark and know youre going to be selling your house in 2 to 5 years youre probably going to have to replace the roof to put your home on the market. So consider replacing it now, enjoy it as much as you can, and then get your investment back with the curb appeal when its time to sell.
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How Do I Know If My Roof Needs To Be Replaced
Youll need to replace a roof following a catastrophic event such as a house fire, hurricane or tornado, but even aside from disasters such as these, a roof will need replacing in time.
Signs that a roof with asphalt shingles may need replacing include seeing those that are cracked, buckled or curling. They may also be losing granules, which you might see in gutters.
Wood shakes and shingles may split or rot, show damage or have growth of mold or algae.
If you have a roof with clay tiles, look out for those that are cracked or chipped. You might spot leaks in the attic, too.
Look out for missing shingles from a slate roof along with cracks, and check the attic for water stains.
If yours is a metal roof, problems can reveal themselves in the attic or you could observe discoloration or rust.
On a thatched roof look out for raised netting and obvious fixings on the ridge, plus ridges and dips on the roof, as well as growth of moss and lichen.
Check your roof regularly and call in a professional for advice on whether repairs are sufficient or replacement is due.
Diy Roof Replacement Vs Hiring A Roofer
For homeowners looking at replacing their roof instead of hiring a professional, an asphalt roof will cost $3,000 less to $6,000 less . However, while small roof repairs are cheap and relatively easy to carry out by the homeowner, as long as safety precautions are taken, roofing a home is better done by professional roofers. The downsides of completing the work as a DIY project are:
- In removing the original roof, you may cause issues that will lead to leaks.
- Once the old roof is off, you could miss structural issues or things that will contribute to more leaks.
- You might not create a perfect weather seal to protect your home from the rain when installing the new roof.
- You could introduce issues that translate to increased utility costs from heating or cooling.
- You could fall from your roof.
- You could negatively impact the resale value of your home.
Your roof is the single biggest surface barrier between you and the elements. Given the importance of the roof, and the potential for significant problems, we suggest looking for bids from the roofing professionals we have on HomeGuide before making a final decision to do the work yourself.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted roofing companies:
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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.
Check The Roofing Company
While you might not have the documentation on hand yourself, the roofing company might have. The only difficult part could be actually knowing who carried out the roof work. There might actually be branded evidence up in your attic or roof cavity, so you could have a look and phone them. If theres only one or two roofing specialists in your area, you could just try randomly phoning them and hoping for the best.
Most roofers will have detailed records going back years, so as long as your roof isnt too old , they should be able to give you the information you need. If they cant over the phone straight away, try writing or emailing them so they can have a more detailed look in their records. They should be more than happy to do this as it could lead to more work for them.
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