Look for a contractor who has been around at least five years and has a good local reputation. Request bids from at least three pros. Costs for a job as big as replacing an entire roof can vary widely, even for installing the exact same shingles. The cost of the shingles themselves should be similar no matter who installs them, but other related costs for labor and materials are what you have to look out for when comparing bids.
You want a breakdown of all the costs involved: one price for the shingles, one for the labor of removing the old ones and installing the new ones, and a contingency budget that outlines the costs if your roofer discovers that the sheathing needs to be replaced. Be sure to ask for one in writing. Among the dozens of contractor websites from across the country that we reviewed, only a few showed explicit warranties.
The promises we found covered between one and 50 years, though experts told us most roof problems happen in the first couple of years. Before giving you an estimate, a contractor should assess all components in and around your roof, including the drip edge and gutters that steer water runoff.
That component, usually treated paper or synthetic sheets, serves as a weather barrier atop the decking, the flat surface—typically plywood—that lies on rafters. In a cold climate, a roofer may suggest applying an ice-dam protection membrane in some areas to prevent ice dams that can cause water seepage.
Adding or updating the ridge vent and vented soffits can improve attic airflow and prevent harmful moisture buildup. Replacing or fixing flashing, the material around the chimney and where roofing planes meet, can prevent leaks; ask about alternatives to copper, which is durable and pretty but costly. Specialty roofing materials like slate, tile, or metal tend to cost much more, but they can also last much longer—and they look nicer.
CR tests only asphalt shingles, but below we also offer information about faux slate and composite tile. These two alternatives give the upscale look of slate and tile, respectively, but they're easier to install and cost significantly less than the genuine versions.
Asphalt shingles are made of fiberglass sandwiched between asphalt and ceramic granules. The fiberglass provides the strength, while the asphalt, often mixed with minerals, is waterproof. The ceramic granules give shingles their color and also help deflect UV light, which has damaging effects. Relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are the best choice for most houses.
They come in sheets that are layered on a roof to give the illusion of more expensive single shingles, such as cedar and slate, that are installed one shingle at a time.
Asphalt shingles fall into three basic categories. Standard, entry-level 3-tab shingles are the cheapest and thinnest. Architectural shingles are a step up from 3-tab shingles. They're slightly thicker and made to resemble more expensive wood shakes. Multilayered architectural shingles are the most expensive and thickest of the group, and give a similar look to wood shakes.
This composite material looks like the real thing, even close up, but costs a lot less. Some faux slate may fade or crack under impact. Only a skilled mason can install real slate.
The warranties on faux slate roofing are generally comparable to those for asphalt shingles—expect them to last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. Metal roofing comes in steel, aluminum, copper, and alloy strips, and in various shapes and textures. Copper is especially expensive. Over time, copper acquires a greenish patina that some people find attractive.
Metal roofing can be slick, just like slate, so consider installing snow guards in cold climates to prevent sheets of ice from sliding off and hurting someone. Wood shingles have been used for hundreds of years as a roofing option for homeowners. Most wood shingles are made from either cedar or redwood. They are cut into precise shapes and have a much smaller exposure than traditional wood shakes, which gives them a distinct look.
One of the major downsides to installing real wood shingles, however, is that they are more prone to fire damage than other types of roofing and cannot achieve a Class A fire rating. Like wood shingles, wood shake shingles are also made from either cedar or redwood, but are not as precisely cut — they are typically sawn off and hand-split for a more homespun look.
Again, because they are made out of wood, they are more prone to fire damage and cannot achieve a Class A fire rating. Metal roofing is another roofing material option you may be considering. Metal roofs, whether standing seam or stone-coated metal shingles, typically tend to take longer to install and are on the higher end of costs due to materials, labor, and system requirements.
Standing seam metal roofing features a series of ridges or vertical seams running up the roof slope. Standing seam panels for a metal roof are typically made from:. Different in appearance from a standing seam or flat panel roof, metal roofing shingles are stone-coated steel panels that simulate concrete or clay tile roofing, and wood shakes. Your roofing shingle choice and roofing system may be dictated by local business code requirements, manufacturer warranties, and system warranties.
Additionally, some roofing materials may require special roof deck preparation or reinforced structural elements. This offers a double layer of protection against the elements.
It often makes the most sense to install solar panels during a reroof or new roofing construction. Find the perfect match for your next roof by scrolling through our large selection of asphalt roofing shingles , available in many different colors and styles. Find independent roofing contractors in the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network in your area to request a quote. Getting the color and shape of shingle you always wanted is a great way to express your individual personality and add real value.
Owens Corning. Planning Your Roof. Roof Damage. Hiring a Contractor. Asphalt roof shingles are the most popular roofing material used on homes across North America, and with good reason. They are designed to protect a home through decades of weathering with minimal upkeep, and are available in hundreds of colors and styles.
In additional to offering a variety of style choices, asphalt shingles are also widely available throughout the U. And while getting a new roof is by no means an inexpensive project, asphalt shingles are among the most affordable options available.
In fact, if an existing roof deck the structural surface beneath the roofing system is in good condition, new asphalt shingles can even be installed over older shingles, reducing the need and cost of a tear off of the old roofing.
Check with your contractor to see if this is a viable money-saving option for your roofing project. There are three major categories of asphalt roofing shingle products available today - strip shingles , dimensional shingles , and luxury shingles.
It is important to understand the differences between each type of roofing shingle in order to pick the right product for your home. These are general terms for the same thing. This differs from wood shake shingles or clay tiles which are made from a single material. Also known as 3-tab shingles due to the cut of the shingle or simply strips, strip shingles are the original and most basic asphalt shingles.
They are made from a single layer of asphalt and have a very flat appearance that typically offers a slate look.
Since they are made from a single layer, they generally weigh and cost less than other asphalt shingles.
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