How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?
Is there sunlight peeking through your attic, or does your roof have several droopy spots? These are telltale signs that you need a roof replacement. Suppose your roof has these signs and needs replacing. How long will the roof installation take?
A roof replacement takes between one to three days. The duration might vary depending on the damage extent, weather, season, and materials used. Never rush a roof replacement project, as it’s a recipe for more harm than good.
This post discusses the typical roof replacement timeframe. We’ve also broken down the roof replacement process and explained factors that may extend the duration required to complete this procedure.
How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof?
The usual timeframe for a roof replacement is around one to three days. The roof of a home covering about 1,200 square feet will take a day to replace. However, replacing a more than 3,000 square feet roof requires three to five days.
The type of roof material determines the duration it takes to replace it. Below is a breakdown of the period a roofing company takes to replace different roof materials:
- Wood shake roofs: These roofs are mostly made of cedar and take around three to four days to replace. This roofing material lasts thirty to forty years if well installed.
- Concrete tiles: Replacing concrete tiles takes between eight and nine days. Although it’s time-consuming, this material lasts more than a hundred years. These roofs are fire and weather-resistant.
- Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing materials and take about one to three days to replace. Asphalt shingles can last about fifty years if installed properly.
- Steel sheets: Replacing steel sheet roofing will take three to four days. Aside from their impressive longevity of seventy years, this material also discourages mold growth.
- Slate roofs: Slate roof installation period is between six to seven days. Slate roofs last more than a hundred years, as they are made of slabs resistant to mold.
- Synthetic slate roofs: Synthetic slate roofs have installation periods of three to five days.
A severely damaged roof requires more shingle replacement, taking more time. The contractors may extend the project timeframe if they notice other damages like rotten insulation or decking.
What Steps Are Involved in a Roof Replacement?
Adhering to proper roof replacement procedures is essential for excellent results. Herein are the steps to take when replacing your roof.
Find a Good Contractor
A poorly skilled contractor will not only do shabby work but also cause you to spend much more on frequent repairs. Find a highly qualified roofer for a roof replacement that withstands all weather. A good contractor has great reviews. If many people are rooting for a roofer, they are highly likely reliable.
The right contractor communicates fluently. When inquiring about their services, a good roofer will quickly describe them in detail. A delayed response indicates that their services are tacky. Professional roofers, with licenses and insurance, are safer to work with. An unprofessional contractor may not understand the laws and stipulations of roof replacement, which may cost you a lot in the long run.
Select the Roofing Material
Take time researching roofing materials that suit your needs and fit your budget. Asphalt shingles are the best option if you’re looking for a widely available roofing material. Metal roofing is also a common material because of its high fire resistance and longevity. Keep in mind that metal roofing is more expensive as its installation requires specialization.
Wood shakes are the best if you live in places that aren’t prone to wildfires. If aesthetics bring you joy, slate roofs are ideal for you. Although pricey, these roofing materials will take your home’s appearance to the next level.
Remove the Roof
Before removing the roof, the contractors must put some measures into place. The roofers should use tarps to cover the regions around your home’s base, like plants and shrubs. Contractors should also use plywood to protect your windows, doors, and air conditioners.
The contractors will then proceed to remove the shingles. This process may involve using tear-off forks or notched shovels.
Roof Inspection
Deck or roof inspection is vital as the new roof requires a solid and safe base. The roofer must replace a rotten and soft deck before placing a new roof. Rotten roofs indicate excess moisture, which may damage the new roof. Insist on a thorough inspection to prevent accidents and waste of new roofing material.
Prepare the Roof Surface
Preparing the roof surface involves ridge edge installation and underlayment replacement. In ridge edge installation, you place an L-shaped piece of metal at the roof’s edges. This metal redirects water into the gutter. Underlayment installation involves placing a water-resistant material between the decking and the new roof. This material prevents rainwater from destroying the deck.
Install the New Roof
The last roof installation stage is placing the new roofing material on the prepared deck. This is one of the key factors you need to consider when asking the question, “How long does it take to replace a roof?” The contractors take varying durations to apply different roofing materials. The period can range between one to nine days.
Installing delicate materials like slate will take a long time. The roofers require enough time when placing each slate to prevent cracking or breaking.
After complete installation, the contractors clean up the mess. Part of the roofer’s crew will carefully collect all the damaged shingles, nails, and debris lying around your house.
What Factors Can Cause a Roof Replacement to Take Longer Than Expected?
Besides roof material, several factors could make the roof replacement process long and excruciating. Below are some of these factors.
Cold Weather
Cold weather lengthens the roof replacement process. Most roofing materials, like asphalt shingles which require sticking, may take a long time to do so when it’s raining or snowing. Extra caution, which lengthens the duration, is vital in such conditions.
Snowy and wet roofs are dangerous for contractors. Roofers may easily slide and hurt themselves when working on a wet deck.
Season
The time of the year you choose to replace your roof determines the procedure’s duration. Summer has longer days, meaning roofers will spend about fifteen hours daily replacing your roof. In the end, the overall replacement period is highly reduced.
Aside from being hazardous, replacing roofs during winter takes a prolonged period as roofers spend less time outside.
Roof Complexity
Roofs with high peaks, valleys, and heaps take longer to replace. This is because the contractors need more caution to work on steep, dangerous roofs. The roofers also need to fix valleys and other inconsistencies before replacing the roof, which extends the time.
Replace Your Roof With Efficient and Reliable Contractors
So, how long does it take to replace a roof? It can take anywhere between one to seven days. Although roof replacement may take a while, this process increases the value of your home and gives it a wonderful makeover. Follow the roof installation tips in this post for a fuss-free process. Contact A to Z Construction today to speak with an expert about your roof replacement project.
How to Determine the Age of Your Roof
What is your home’s roof age? Most new homeowners don’t know or try to inquire about the age of their roofs until problems start to kick in.
When purchasing an older home, it’s paramount that you ask many questions concerning the house before moving in. It will help you know what to replace and what to repair. Also, you get to plan your finances well and prevent problems that may arise later.
How can I find out how old my roof is? If you don’t know the age of your roof, then you’re in the right place. Herein are several methods to determine your roof’s age.
How Can I Find Out How Old My Roof Is?
Your roof may have aged, but still, things appear normal. That’s why you shouldn’t depend on looks alone when determining the age of your home’s roof. But how can I find out how old my roof is?
Talk to Your New Neighbors
The first step regarding how to find roof age is engaging close neighbors. Neighbors have a lot of information that can turn helpful, especially if you’re still new in an area.
Be friendly to them and ask questions about your home. They may remember or estimate the year the roofing contractor installed your roof or give you information about the previous owner.
Also, if your area has several roofing contractors/professionals, your neighbor may know the exact one that worked on your roof. This information will save you the trouble of contacting all of them.
Try Contacting the Previous Owners
Take this route if you’re lucky enough to get the contacts of your home’s previous owners. Your real estate agent, neighbors, or a quick internet search can give you a list of all the people that occupied your house before. The previous homeowner might have valuable information on your roof’s age.
Hire a Professional for a Visual Examination and Age Estimation
Perhaps you can’t reach the previous owners, or you don’t have any close neighbors. If that’s the case, consider hiring a roofing professional who knows how to find roof age by examining your roof visually and making an estimation.
With their knowledge and several years of experience, roofers can tell when the roofing installation happened. The better if you can get hold of the roofer that worked on your house.
Obtaining a Copy of Your Home’s Building or Roofing Permit
Usually, when you want to construct a new building, you must file or apply for a building permit from the local government. This document is also a must-have when making significant modifications to an existing house, like replacing your roof. It will help you determine the exact roof age of your house.
Your Local Roofing Company Can Help
Roofing companies have professionals who can inspect and provide estimates at a fee. You can use your local roofing company for the same, especially when you suspect that the roof could be up for replacement.
Chances are that your local roofing company provided the materials for the installation or last replacement. If so, they can provide you with copies of the receipts.
Why Is it Important to Know Your Home’s Roof Age?
Knowing your house’s roof age is essential since it will help you plan your expenses well. Doing so is necessary before moving to a new home. You want to know when you’ll need a new roof or if you should repair the existing roof.
Roof replacement can be costly if you don’t plan your finances. But if you know the roof’s age, you can plan your finances and shop for long-lasting roofing materials ahead of time. Asphalt Shingles, for instance, can last up to 30 years with proper care and maintenance.
Visual Signs of an Aged Roof
The above methods on how to find roof age can be long and tiring. Fortunately, there are visual signs that indicate your roof is old.
Water Damage and Leaks
Water damage around ceilings, chimneys, and corners of the house gives an impression there’s something wrong with roofing shingles. It could be that shingles are missing or damaged, perhaps due to wear and tear over time or harsh weather conditions. Obvious leaks happen during rainy seasons, so you may want to wait for the rains before moving in.
Curled Shingles
Shingles curling is an obvious sign you need roofing replacement. Shingles may curl due to many factors, including age, strong winds, or poor ventilation. Depending on the severity of the curling, you may have a few years left to plan your roof’s replacement.
Roof Decay or Rot
During rainy seasons, roofs experience excessive water runoff. If neglected, accumulation of water could lead to roof decay or rot. Consider hiring a professional at least once per year to inspect your roof.
Cracked Shingles
If your shingles are cracked, it’s time to call a roofing contractor for replacement.
Enlist a Roofing Expert
If you’re planning to purchase an old home, how to find its roof age is among the many things you should consider. Do whatever it takes to get the year the roofing installation happened. Talk to your neighbors, track down the previous owners if you have to, or get a copy of the building permit.
But why go through these processes? You can easily get expert opinions on your roof’s age by working with trusted roofing specialists. Contact A to Z Construction today for roof inspection services.
How Long Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Last
Homeowners have several options for roofing their homes, and asphalt shingle roofs remain one of the most popular choices because of their durability and value. Considering how expensive a roof replacement is, you must select quality roofing materials and care for your roof to maximize its lifespan.
Today, we’ll cover all your asphalt roofing questions, like knowing when your roof has reached the end of its lifespan, factors that affect a roof’s lifespan, and how long an asphalt roof lasts.
Typical Lifespan of an Asphalt Shingle Roof
Asphalt shingles are an excellent roofing material because they offer a blend of value, durability, and a variety of other benefits. The question of how long does an asphalt roof last will have varied answers depending on the style and quality of the roofing material used. Most asphalt roofing has a typical lifespan of 25-30 years.
Asphalt shingles are available in 3-tab, dimension, and luxury varieties. Depending on your preferred style and budget, you may find that one type of shingle is the best fit for you. Let’s take a look below:
- 3-tab: 3-tab shingles get their name from the three tabs on each shingle. These shingles lay flat on the roof and typically carry a manufacturer’s warranty of 25 years. Of the three shingle types, 3-tab shingles are the plainest looking and most affordable.
- Dimensional: Dimensional shingles have a three-dimensional appearance that replicates the look of a cedar shake roof. Dimensional shingles are about 15-20% more expensive than 3-tab shingles, and they typically carry a warranty of 30 years.
- Luxury: Luxury shingles are the most beautiful-looking asphalt roof materials, costing about double the price of a dimensional shingle. Luxury shingles carry a warranty of 30 years, with the opportunity to extend the warranty in certain situations to 50 years.
Regardless of the warranty length, most asphalt shingles fall short of their warranty period because of environmental factors, storm damage, and natural wear. Most shingles deliver between 80-90% of their warranted lifespan. You can expect to get about 20-22 years out of a 3-tab shingle room and about 25-28 years from a dimensional or luxury roof.
Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Asphalt Shingle Roofing
When it comes to the question of how long does an asphalt roof last, several factors can influence how long your new roof will last.
Attic Ventilation
Improper attic ventilation is one of the leading causes of roof degradation, and if your attic isn’t ventilated properly, you could be taking years off the lifespan of your roof.
Without proper ventilation, your attic will be freezing in the winter, which can cause roofing material to crack. During the warmer months, the attic becomes extremely hot and will burn up your roofing system over time.
Not only will poor ventilation cut down the life of your roof, but it will also void the roof’s warranty, so you have no recourse to recoup money on a roof replacement.
House Location
Where your house is located is also a contributing factor to your roof’s lifespan. Homes that receive significant direct sunlight will have a shorter roof lifespan than those with shaded roofs. If you’re in an area with extreme weather, you can expect these events to lower the lifespan of your roof. Extreme weather includes, but is not limited to:
- Blizzards
- Hail
- Severe thunderstorms
- Hurricanes
- Tornados
Pitch of Your Roof
Your roof’s pitch can also impact the lifespan of your asphalt shingles. Roofs with a low pitch will allow rain or snow from storms to accumulate on the roof, leading to mold, mildew, and rot. Higher-pitched roofs enable excess water to run off efficiently, contributing to a longer shingle lifespan.
Lack of Maintenance
While asphalt shingles require little maintenance compared to other roofing materials, not taking care of occasional essential maintenance can cost you several years of life for your roof shingles.
You should inspect your roof bi-annually, ensuring that debris, leaves, and ice dams are removed, and any missing or damaged shingles are replaced. Trimming any overhanging branches that could fall onto your roof and cause damage during a storm is also wise.
Pay special attention to areas where flashing is used to ensure it’s still adequately waterproof. Cracked or missing flashing and moss growth are telltale signs that your roof flashing has been compromised.
Your Roofing Contractor
The installation of the roofing system, flashing, and shingles are critical to the longevity of your roof. Even the highest quality materials will be compromised if a contractor installs them poorly or incorrectly, and you must take great care throughout the process to ensure a long-lasting roof.
How to Appraise Your Roof’s Condition
As a homeowner, there are several things you can do to evaluate the condition of your asphalt shingles.
The most obvious signs that your roof is reaching the end of its lifespan can typically be seen from the sidewalk. Look for cupped shingles, curled edges, or shingles missing a significant amount of granules. Shingles that show cracking or staining are also common indicators that you may need a roof replacement soon.
It’s common for moss to grow on asphalt shingles that don’t receive much sunlight. Moss can trap moisture inside the shingles, which can cause damage if left unchecked, and it can also be challenging to remove moss without damaging the granules on the shingles. You may consider cleaning it professionally if you have significant moss growth on your roof.
When removing the moss will damage the shingle below, you should consider replacing the affected shingles.
Keep an eye on what your neighbors are doing with their homes. Most of the houses on your block were built around the same time. If they’re beginning to replace their roofing, your roof may require replacement soon.
How Long Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Last: When to Seek a Replacement
If an appraisal of your roof reveals that it’s time to replace your roof, you must work with a trusted roofing contractor that can deliver excellent craftsmanship and cutting-edge solutions to your roofing needs.
With nearly two decades of experience, A to Z Construction is one of Minnesota’s finest commercial and residential roofing specialists. Our dedicated team specializes in complete roofing systems, replacements, and repairs, and we can help answer the question of how long does an asphalt roof last. Contact us today!
