Asphalt roofs typically last 15-30 years. Your shingles may last longer if you live in a mild climate, take great care of your roof, or have high quality shingles. You may have to replace your roof earlier if you climate is wet or if you experience a lot of storms. You may also have to replace your roof early if you delay your roof maintenance. Here is what to expect when it’s time to replace your roof. Remember to ask about warranty information for your new and old roof when you call your roofer.
Choosing New Shingles
There are three types of asphalt shingles. Your new roof can have 3-tab shingles, dimensional shingles, or premium shingles. The cheapest type is 3-tab. This type was the most common type of asphalt shingle for many years. If you are replacing an old roof, you may be tearing old 3-tab shingles off. If your 3-tab shingles didn’t last long in the local climate, consider upgrading to dimensional shingles for the roof replacement.
Dimensional shingles are the most commonly used type today. These are often made to resemble a wood shake shingle. They are significantly more durable than 3-tab shingles.
Premium shingles typically cost twice as much as dimensional shingles. These are very attractive shingles that look a lot like slate. They are also significantly larger than the other types of shingles.
Additional Roofing Components
Your shingles are one part of your new roof. You’ll also purchase underlayment, ridge caps, flashing, roof vents, and a few other components. Be sure to note that a full roof replacement includes replacing the underlayment.
Tearing off Old Shingles
Removing old shingles can take a significant amount of time. The roofing team will begin by tearing off a shingle and moving on to the ones next to it. They will have to discard piles of shingles as they work to tear off the old roof. To do this safely, they will need to prepare the property and set up a safe parking area for trash removal.
Some roofing replacements will require tree or hedge trimming in addition to general cleanup around the building. Your roofing team must also have all the new materials delivered and ready to go before they start tearing the old roof off. Plan on clearing space for a large amount of supplies in addition to trash removal for the project.
Choosing the Right Roof and Warranty
Putting your new roof on means choosing materials and installation methods with your roofer. You can opt for certain types of shingles as well as manufacturer’s parts that come with different warranty options. Your roofer may be able to offer a roofing package that comes with certified installation and special warranty options. You’ll need to go over the types of materials and methods involved to get the full warranty benefits.
Decking Replacement
The roof decking is the plywood beneath the underlayment. Your original estimate may not include any decking replacement. People are not usually able to assess any added decking replacement costs when they write your estimate. It’s a good idea to be prepared to replace at least a little bit of decking. Your roofer likely won’t be able to notify you of any added decking costs until they tear off old underlayment.
Choosing Your Nailing Method and Flashing
Some people choose to pay for copper flashing and hand nailing when they install new roofs. These will increase your final cost and add some time to the project. The quality of copper flashing components and the secure attachments that come from hand nailing are excellent. Many people add years to the life of their roof with these options. You may find that these options will also help you get a better warranty for your new roof.
MB Roofing LLC offers quality workmanship and competitive pricing to customers in Pennsylvania. We install several types of metal and shingle roofs in Delaware County. Our team works on both commercial and residential projects. Call us for a free estimate today.
