Need a new roof? Are you wondering what you should know before starting the process?
A roof replacement is a big project that requires making big decisions and having the knowledge needed to avoid being taken advantage of by the roofing industry. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of information to absorb.
So, the best way to start is by learning the roofing facts every homeowner needs to know before starting the roof replacement process.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners become roofing experts by breaking down the industry’s complexities with transparency and honesty. Now, I’ll give you the 8 roofing facts everyone must know before starting their roofing project.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn:
- The signs that it’s time for a new roof
- Choosing the right roofing material is crucial
- The other components that make up a roof system
- How much a new roof costs
- A new roof increases your home’s value
- How long a roof lasts
- The warranties you get when replacing your roof
- Roof maintenance maximizes your investment
1. The signs that it’s time for a new roof
As long as it’s properly installed with adequate attic ventilation, a roof shouldn't need replacing until the end of its lifespan. Depending on the roofing material, this could be 20 years, 30 years, 50 years, or even longer.
It’s hard to know when it’s the right time, but luckily, a roof shows signs that it needs a replacement. Let’s use an older asphalt roof as an example.
Below are some of the signs that an asphalt roof has reached the end of its lifespan:
- Curling or buckling shingles
- Lack of granules making the shingles look bald
- Missing shingles
- Roof sagging
- Moss covering your roof
- Blistering shingles
- Finding granules in the gutter
If an asphalt roof has any or all of the above, it’s most likely time for a new one. However, you won’t know what your roof needs until after an inspection from a roofing contractor.
2. Choosing the right roofing material is crucial
Other than choosing a roofing contractor, the biggest decision you’ll make when getting a new roof is choosing the right type of roofing material. When making your decision, you need to consider the look you want, your budget, and how much life you want to get out of it.
If you’re on a tight budget and looking for affordability, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is the best option. But if your budget has some wiggle room and you want a longer-lasting roof with more curb appeal, luxury asphalt shingles are well worth the investment.
If budget isn’t an issue and you want a roof that turns heads, a standing seam metal roof, a synthetic shingle roof, a cedar shake roof, or a slate roof are great options. However, these premium roof systems come at a very high price point most homeowners can’t afford.
3. The other components that make up a roof system
The roofing material makes up the bulk of your roof, but there are more components and materials that come together to form a roof system. Each one has a specific function to ensure water doesn’t get into your home.
The other components that make up your roof are:
- Roof decking
- Roof flashing
- Underlayment
- Drip edge
- Ice and water shield
- Ridge capping
- Roof vents
- Pipe boots
Every single component plays a huge role in helping your roof do what it does best: protecting your home. If even one of them is installed improperly or left off, you’ll have costly problems.
4. How much a new roof costs
According to the 2024 COST VS VALUE REPORT, the average cost to replace an asphalt shingle roof (the most common type) in the United States is $30,680. This is a very general price that doesn’t account for area-specific pricing, roof size/complexity, or other cost factors.
So, the price could be lower or higher depending on where you live. For example, the average cost to replace an asphalt shingle roof is $24,533 in our area of Nashville, Tennessee.
Even with the averages, an asphalt roof replacement will cost around $20,000 for a standard middle-class home. But remember, multiple roofing materials and even the different types of asphalt shingles vary in price.
Below is the cost per square foot for the top roofing materials when getting a full roof replacement, including labor and material costs.
Unfortunately, the numbers aren’t exact because every area and roofer has different pricing, plus no two roofs are the same. However, the price per square foot should be around the costs above when getting an estimate.
5. A new roof increases your home’s value
While it won’t be a 100% return on your roof investment, homeowners can expect a home’s value to increase by 30% to 60% of the original roof's price. However, the return heavily relies on the roofing material.
Based on the 2024 COST VS VALUE REPORT from before, you know the national average for an asphalt shingle roof is $30,680. Per the same report, the national average ROI when replacing an asphalt roof is 56.9%, which is a recoup of $17,461 of the original $30,680 when selling your home.
On the other hand, the national average cost for a standing seam metal roof is $49,928 (per the same report). Even though it's more expensive and more durable than an asphalt shingle roof, the national average ROI is 48.1%.
Based on the average, you can expect a standing seam metal roof to add $24,034 to your home’s resale value. Just keep in mind that these are national average costs and percentages, so these numbers may be different in your area..
6. How long a roof lasts
The majority of homeowners can expect a residential roof to last around 20-25 years. This is based on the fact that most homes in the United States have architectural asphalt shingles.
However, every roofing material comes with a specific lifespan, either from the manufacturer or expertise from the roofing industry. The table below contains the lifespans of the most common types of roofing materials.
Just know that premature roof failure is always possible because of storm damage, poor workmanship, and/or using cheap roofing materials. But a roof will get as close as possible to the maximum lifespan as long as it’s properly installed, the attic is adequately ventilated, and is maintained.
7. The warranties you get when replacing your roof
After installation, your roof is protected by two types of warranties. The first warranty will be from the roofing contractor on their workmanship.
The length of your workmanship warranty varies from company to company, ranging from 2, 5, 10, 25 years, or even a lifetime warranty. I think roofers should offer at least a 10-year workmanship warranty, so don’t settle for anything less.
The second warranty is on the roofing materials themselves, and each roofing material offers a different type of material warranty. For example, asphalt shingles come with a standard warranty from the manufacturer against defects, but can also qualify for enhanced warranties from certified roofing contractors.
Metal roofs come with a warranty on the painted finish that protects the metal panels. Synthetic shingles have a limited lifetime warranty that’s prorated after a certain number of years.
Cedar shake and slate roofs don’t come with a material warranty because they’re naturally made. So, material warranties really do vary, even across different shingle manufacturers.
However, both warranties are crucial to protect your roof investment. That’s why you should hire a great roofing contractor and invest in quality materials to get the best warranties available.
8. Roof maintenance maximizes your investment
No matter the material, regular roof maintenance is one of the best ways to maximize any roof’s lifespan. It keeps your roof system fully functioning, catches future problems, and prevents leaks before they start.
Maintenance is also the perfect opportunity to clear sitting debris that can damage a roof. The last thing you want is for a small problem to turn into an expensive repair after already investing tens of thousands of dollars.
You avoid this with roof maintenance, which means saving more money in the long run.
How do you hire a reputable roofing contractor?
Now you know the roofing facts every homeowner should know. There’s still plenty to learn, but this is a great start.
In fact, the most important thing you still need to learn is how to spot a good roofer. The roofing industry doesn’t have the best reputation, and bad roofing contractors are at the heart of it.
There are too many stories of homeowners being taken advantage of, so making the best hire is crucial. The biggest problem today is the oversaturation of companies in every area of the United States.
I want you to have confidence when hiring a roofing contractor. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down what to look for when talking to roofing contractors for your upcoming roofing project.
Check out 9 Tips for Hiring a Great Roofing Contractor to ensure you find a great roofer in your area.
