How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
Published on Monday June 18, 2018
The fact is, roofs don’t really have price tags dangling off of them. So, how do you know how much a new roof costs? There are quite a few factors to consider. As the East Coast’s leading Roofing company, we’ve got answers that can help you budget your roof replacement.
First, it helps to understand the various parts that make up your whole roof.
Understanding your roof system
A roof is made up of several layers that work together as a system to protect your home. Proper installation of each component protects the roof, attic, walls, and foundation from wind, rain, ice, heat, and humidity.
In addition to shingles, a complete roofing system includes:
- Deck: The main wooden structure.
- Underlayment: A layer installed under the shingles to keep the deck dry.
- Flashing: Material used to deflect water away from seams or joints around chimneys, exhausts, etc.
- Vents: Items that optimize airflow through the attic to keep the roof dry.
- Drip edge: Material along the edge of the roof that guides water to the ground or in the gutters.
- Soffit: The area underneath a roof overhang.
- Fascia: The horizontal roof trim on the end of the rafters that often holds the gutters.
- Winterguard: waterproofing shingle underlayment – key in fighting water penetration
Factors that affect new roof costs
Now that you understand the complexity and interconnectedness of your roof replacement, here are five factors that will impact the cost:
Size
The biggest factor in determining how much it will cost to replace your roof is the size of your roof. The cost of roof replacement is calculated in terms of roofing squares; one roofing square is 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet.
Whenever possible, Long Roofing uses state-of-the-art, satellite technology to precisely measure the roof of your home. This ensures the right amount of roofing materials are ordered—thereby saving costs and reducing waste—and helps provide a better estimate on how long the project will take.
Removal
Before a new roof can be installed, your roofing professional will need to remove and dispose of the old roof, which can include layers of old shingles and underlayment.
Any debris must be moved to a proper landfill site, which typically charges by the weight of the materials. The costs associated with this process depend on the amount of time and labor it takes to remove the old materials, as well as the landfill charges.
Style & Shape
The slope of a roof can make a big difference in determining the cost of replacement. The slope is the angle of incline and indicates the vertical rise compared to the horizontal run. For example, if your roof’s slope is 6:12, it means the roof rises six inches vertically for every 12 inches it runs horizontally.
The steeper the slope of the roof, the more shingles it takes to cover it. In addition, a roof with a very steep slope requires greater staging and safety equipment, which can cost more.
The same is true on the opposite end of the spectrum: flat roofs. In cities with older housing stock — Federal Hill in Baltimore, Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia, or Boston’s famous Beaux Arts offer great examples — the roofs are often flat or have very low slopes, which require a certain level of expertise to navigate without damaging the protective waterproof rubber.
Materials
There can be a major cost difference between the different types of roofing materials. Asphalt is generally the most affordable option, with slate and shake, or wood shingles being the most labor-intensive and the most expensive. Long Roofing has a whole range of shingle options, including luxury and designer asphalt shingles.
Features
Chimneys, skylights and vents can improve the look of your roof but for a roofing contractor, these features can all be potential obstacles to carefully work around during the installation process.
Paying for your new roof
Roof replacement is an important investment. The good news — there are plenty of financing options available to make sure you’re not breaking the bank, shingle by shingle.
Long Roofing has convenient financing that fits every homeowner’s budget. We work hard to keep our financing options as simple as possible. Our goal is to give you the peace of mind you need.
How much does a new roof cost?
If your home needs a new roof and you have more questions than answers, contact Long Roofing. We are happy to come out to your home to take a look at your roof and offer recommendations—while offering the customer service, product knowledge and project customization that you need.
Contact Long Roofing online to request a roofing estimate today.
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*Excludes labor. Subject to credit approval.
**Excludes labor. Subject to credit approval.
One-day installs contingent upon municipal rules and regulations.
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