The Basics of Roof Replacement

Roof replacement is not something everyone is a pro at, and that’s okay. As a homeowner, you need to ensure that your roof stays effective against the elements to protect your home’s structural integrity. Unfortunately, when it becomes time to replace your roof, it can be a significant financial investment. By understanding the different types of roofing materials and what alters the cost, you can choose the best option to fit your home and budget.

Roofing Materials

Having your roof replaced is going to be a significant expense. Understanding the potential roof replacement cost will highly depend on the materials that are utilized. While you typically have various roofing options, many localities have specific roofing they prefer to use. For example, some towns prone to fires opt for metal roofing as it’s fire-resistant.

Many other factors go into deciding the ideal type of roofing for your home. The angle or pitch of your roof will play a large role in your available options. For example, wood shakes are ideal for steep roof pitches, while shingles are better for lower pitched roofs. The most common roofing materials include:

• Metal
• Wood Shakes
• Asphalt Shingles
• Slate
• Composite Slate
• Ceramic / Clay Tiles

Asphalt shingles tend to be the most commonly used roofing material as they’re fairly cheap and easy to maintain. However, wood shakes and slate tend to provide a more attractive appearance.

Adding Over The First Layer

One way to reduce your roof replacement cost is simply adding another layer of roofing material over the existing layer. This was once a prevalent practice to do with many homes because it reduced the time and cost of removing the first layer. However, this isn’t recommended for all homes.

Adding another layer of roofing material adds more weight to the roof. Some older homes simply don’t have the underlying roof construct to handle the second layer of roofing’s extra weight. In fact, some jurisdictions have actually outlawed this practice because the underlying roof cannot support the weight, and the additional layer may lead to roof collapse or other structural damage.

Cost Factors in Roofing Replacement

The average cost to replace a roof will vary depending on several factors. The most obvious is the type of roofing material that you choose. Other factors include the specific contractor that you choose, the pitch of your roof, its square footage, and whether or not they’re removing the existing layer of roofing material.

So that you can get a better idea of what it may cost to replace your roof, we’re going to reveal the average cost to replace a roof according to the type of material used:

• 30-Year Shingles: $11,000
• Wood Shakes: $21,000
• Steel Shingles: $20,000
• Slate: $35,000
• Concrete Tiles: $36,000
• Clay Tiles: $42,000

One great tip to learn about roofing is that you can potentially save yourself some money by scheduling your roof installation during the off-season. The optimal roofing season runs from late spring until early fall. 

This is when the most amount of roofing replacement is performed. Since there is less of a demand in the off-season, contractors are more likely to give you a discount to get your business.

Tired of Roof Talk? Sell Your Houston House Quickly

If you’re tired of the endless maintenance that comes along with homeownership, or do not want to mess with replacing your roof, then give Flash Realty Solutions a call today. Let us provide you with a no-obligation cash quote to purchase your home.