No homeowner wants to hear that they need a complete roof replacement, but sooner or later, every roof reaches a point where it can no longer function. When the day comes, it's important to know what to expect. Our team at Stevens Roofing Corp is dedicated to providing you with options and all the information you need to understand your roof replacement down to the smallest detail. Here's what a complete roof replacement includes and how you can expect the process to unfold.
To replace your roof, you must first contact a qualified roofing company for a roof inspection. If your roofers recommend a complete roof replacement based on the inspection, you'll be offered a budget for the project and a contract that you'll need to sign before work can proceed. When it comes to residential roofs, you have several materials to choose from. The most common are asphalt shingles, wooden shingles, slate roofs and composite slate, among others.
Asphalt tile roofs are very affordable and easy to access. In fact, this roofing material is the most popular of all the materials you see or that exist on the market. Wooden shingles are expensive, but they look attractive. However, you cannot opt for wooden shingles if your house or apartment is located in an area prone to fire danger. Removing the old roof is the next stage in the process.
Your roofing contractor will tear off all the layers of the roof, right down to the roof covering which is made of wooden boards attached to the ceiling joists and trusses. The roof covering acts as a base to which the shingles are attached. If your roof deck is in good condition, your roofing contractor can start rebuilding the top of it. Otherwise, the cover must also be replaced. The main element in a roof replacement estimate is the actual roof material.
The estimate will indicate the manufacturer and type of shingles that the contractor intends to use. It will also show the style of tile - architectural or dimensional shingles are the most popular - as well as any color options or design elements that were part of the initial discussion. The estimate will also indicate the duration of the manufacturer's warranty for that type. Even if your current roof doesn't have cracks in the ridges, it's a good idea to include them during total roof replacement to improve energy efficiency. You should also be aware of how cost may vary depending on type of roofing material, season in which work is being performed, and any additional labor charges that may be included in total cost. While reasons for leaky or faulty roofs vary from house to house, it's crucial for every homeowner to understand what's included in replacing a roof.
For your knowledge and convenience, here's a quick look at all key elements included in replacing a roof or installing a new one.
