Over the course of the year, we are contacted by about 2,000 people and, inevitably, during the first conversation with our customer service department, they often ask us various questions. Therefore, we decided to collect the most common ones and answer them in the form of a blog article. What should you know about roofing before you call the best roofing contractor in Wheeling?
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Roof?
There are as many answers to such a question as there are roofs themselves. So, for the purposes of today’s article, we will assume an average, although you must remember that you can learn the exact amounts only after the roofing specialist has thoroughly inspected your home and conducted a valuation.
For small houses covered with asphalt shingles, the cost of roof replacement is from $8,000 to $25,000. The price is influenced, among other things, by the area, the model of asphalt shingles you choose, the extent of the work required (often you need to replace the insulation layer or plywoods) and the time of year you decide to make this investment – prices will be higher in the high season.
For roofs covered with synthetic tiles or shakes, prices will be higher – it is usually from $15,000 to $35,000. As with asphalt shingles, the final cost depends on the size of the roof, the brand of roofing material and the extent of any repairs to your home.
When it comes to natural roofs, the sky is the limit. Prices rarely reach less than $15,000, while some homeowners opt for very expensive roofs – the total cost of installation can exceed $100,000. Copper roofs are even more expensive, with prices usually hovering around $50 per sqft. This means that the owner of a medium-sized house will have to pay from $70,000 to as much as $150,000! Such amounts are impressive, aren’t they?
You should know that: How to choose a siding material?
What is The Most Durable Roofing Material?
In our experience, there are several extremely durable roofing materials available on the market – natural slate, terra cotta tiles and copper sheets are at the forefront. In many cases, they can withstand 70, 80 or even 100 years of normal use. Moreover, in the case of terracotta tiles and slate, there is no problem with their reuse – it is the roof structure that is the most sensitive element to the passage of time.
When Should I Replace The Roof on my House?
There are two ways to answer this question: as soon as you see the need, or in the summer. Why do it? Not every homeowner can wait until summer to replace the roof – for example, large leaks can lead to very serious problems over the winter, such as the occurrence of mold, the rotting of wooden elements in the attic or the nesting of pests in the house.
On the other hand, the roofing season falls in the summer months, such as June, July, August and September. This is when there is the least risk of rain during roof replacement, and there is no question of snowfall. Of course, this also coincides with hailstorm season, but there is no time of year during which there is a better time to replace a roof than the middle of summer.
So if you’re planning to replace your roof due to its aging or poor insulating properties, it’s best to wait until summer, although sign-ups for the next season at popular roofing contractors often begin as early as November or December. If your roof is leaking or has suffered rapid damage, don’t wait – make replacement a priority and carry out the repair or replacement as soon as possible.
How to Check if The Roofing Contractor is Good?
We should note right away that we are referring to regulations in Illinois – our advice may not be true if you live in other parts of the U.S.
First of all, every roofing contractor in our state must have a license – any honest company posts it in a prominent place, such as on the documents it issues and in the footer of the website. Needless to say, this is a prerequisite for the legal provision of roofing services, and violation of this requirement is a serious violation of the law.
Also check reviews, both positive and negative. Every roofing company should have ratings on popular platforms such as Google Maps, Facebook, Houzz, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. Pay attention not only to the average rating, but also to the number of comments – if your contractor is well-known, you’ll find a lot of information about him online.
Finally, arrange a meeting with a representative of the company – face-to-face contact will provide you with a lot of valuable information about the roofing contractor’s approach to work, order and pricing policy. This will also be the moment to find out how much it will cost you to repair or replace your roof.
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Is Copper Roof Worth it?
A roof made of copper is expensive – unfortunately, it is beyond the financial reach of most homeowners. However, if you can afford the material, you may wonder if it is worth the price.
First of all, copper is undoubtedly a very aesthetically pleasing material – its beautiful color and luster give it elegance and style. Besides, like any metal, it is flexible, so it can be shaped as desired, and the sheets themselves are available in many different designs.
Copper roofing is also very, very durable – in practice, this metal is completely resistant to corrosion, sunlight and temperature changes. The only threat to copper is hail, which can lead to damage.
A well-made copper roof also increases the value of the property – buyers on the secondary market are also aware of how expensive the installation was, so they will be willing to pay more for your home. In that case, is a copper roof worth it? If you can afford it, it’s definitely worth considering – it’s an excellent alternative to other materials.
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Does Installing a Skylight Cause Leaks in The Roof?
One fairly common roofing myth is the idea that roof windows cause leaks in roofs. In fact, if the windows are installed well, neither the seals nor the roof itself will let water through. The problems that some homeowners have are the effects of mistakes made by installers and result from a lack of professionalism or improper maintenance.
Sometimes it happens that budget skylights tend to leak after several years. Usually, the problem stems from the poor quality of the rubber components that act as seals. Also, the wood used in their manufacture can dry out too much over time and thus change its shape. To avoid such problems, all you need to do is buy a little higher quality windows from reputable manufacturers.
What’s The Difference Between Reroofing and Roof Replacement?
Simply put, the difference lies in the scope of work. In the case of reroofing, we are talking about a less complicated operation of replacing the sheathing, and in some cases, applying another layer of shingles. Such a service is not only faster, but also cheaper, but it does not solve structural problems, for example, with the roof truss. In fact, it is a more elaborate form of roof repair than replacement.
Roof replacement, in principle, involves tearing off the top layer of the roof, allowing major repairs to be made – a roofing contractor can replace load-bearing elements, lay a new layer of insulation or install new, non-molded plywoods. Unfortunately, the size of the work slows it down and increases costs.
