Roof replacement – All you need to know

To make sure that your home stands strong for ages, you must take regular repairs very seriously. No part of the residence can ever be neglected, and this includes the roof. An old roof can be more dangerous than you think. Imagine rain water leaking through the old roof and destroying every part of your home, including the furniture and appliances. To ensure this unfortunate event never happens, you must consider roof replacement whenever the current one starts to wear out.

Let’s take a look at certain things to consider before going for roof replacement.

Roofing jargon and process
When you’re hiring a crew to replace the roof, it’ s important that you learn the basic terms they use and how the process works. In this way, you can make all the right decisions. Firstly, remember the word “square,” it’s the unit for measuring the area. And one square makes 100 square feet. Another word to remember is “bundles,” which is the number of shingles used in the work. One square of area is generally made of about four bundles.

Once you remember these terms, you can carefully supervise the roofing process more effectively. The entire roof replacement procedure may take about four days if you have a moderate-sized roof. Here are the steps to the roofing process that you should know about.

• Removing existing shingles
  The old shingles will be removed from the roof and trashed. The damaged and dripping edges of the roof are also removed by the crew. They should also take protective measures to ensure that the exterior of the house is not damaged during the process, and all the nails and other metal objects are removed carefully.
• Repairing
  If your roof is in otherwise good condition with little damages, the crew must repair the damaged areas first. However, if the roof is beyond repair, they should go ahead with the necessary replacement.
• Ice-proofing the roof
  If you live in an area where it snows, the home may be prone to damage as melting ice can leak through the roof. A synthetic water-resistant barrier specifically designed for this purpose should be installed by the crew.
• Using asphalt roofing paper
  One of the most important parts of roof replacement is covering the roof sheathing with asphalt roofing paper. The job of roofing paper is to protect the house against water penetration.
• Applying drip edging
  Drip edging made of metal should be fixed around the edges of the roof. They are nailed over the ice guard or roofing paper.
• Applying valley flashing
  New valley flashings should be used along the two roof planes meeting areas. They are nailed onto the roofing deck and then secured using a roofing caulk.
• Applying tab shingles
  The tab shingles should be first applied at the eaves and then go up toward the top of the roof.
• Installing flashing
  Flashing installation is important to guard any area that is exposed to the possibility of water leakage. Essential regions include the chimney, stack vents, and around the skylights.
• Installing ridge vent
  If you want the roof replacement to be done well, then the ridge vent installation procedure should be completed perfectly. They are placed along the top of the roofs to make sure that your house has a good air ventilation system. Such vents will protect your house during all seasons and help with the air circulation in your attic area.
• Cleaning up
  Once the roofing process is completed, the crew must perform a final cleaning and remove the debris.

Roofing materials
It is very important to choose the right roofing materials depending on the area you live in. That is why you must learn about the different materials used for roof replacement first.

• Asphalt composition shingles
  These are the most commonly used materials and are easily available and affordable. But they look plain and not very flashy.
• Wood shingles
  If you’re ready to spend some money, this should be the material of choice. They are durable and very attractive.
• Metal roofing
  Aluminum or steel-based roofs are hugely popular because they’re fireproof and can last for ages. They can be costly too but it’s a good long purchase to avoid early repair or replacement.
• Slate roofing
  When it comes to attractive roofs, the slate surely is a top choice. Apart from being costly, they are harder to repair. So, you need to keep such factors in mind.
• Composition slate
  If you want the attractiveness of the slate roofing but without its heaviness and the susceptibility to damage, then composition slates will be ideal. They are made mostly of recycled materials and are becoming very popular.
• Clay tiles
  These were one of the most popular options owing to their beautiful Spanish design. But these tiles are now rarely used as those made of metal or other materials can offer the same appearance with added benefits.

Roof replacement costing
There are many different factors that determine the roof replacement costing, including the roofing material, the area of the roof, and the contractor. To help you with the budgeting aspect for your roof replacement endeavor, we have shortlisted some important expenses.

• Concrete tiles cost up to $40,000
• Clay tiles cost up to $50,000
• Three-tab asphalt shingles cost up to $12,000
• 30-year shingles cost up to $15,000
• 50-year shingles cost up to $20,000
• Steel shingles cost up to $25,000
• Aluminum shingles cost up to $28,000
• Standing-seam steel roofing cost up to $30,000
• Natural slates cost up to $50,000
• EPDM rubber costs up to $14,000
• TPO or PVC membranes cost up to $15,000
• Wood shingles cost up to $25,000

If you want to lower your replacement cost, the smartest thing to do is to opt for off-season roofing. The most popular time for roofing is between late spring and early fall. During the off-season, due to the reduced remand for work, contractors can offer you an affordable price.