Roof replacement is a big undertaking. If you need your roof replaced, you’ll want to know what you’re getting yourself into. After all, you and your family may want to plan to be away from home when the work is being done so you’re not disturbed. Not to mention roof replacement is a huge investment, which means you’ll want to know exactly when it will need to be done.
How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?
If you’re having a basic shingle roof replaced on an average-sized home, you can expect it to take no more than a day. However, there are a number of other factors which can affect how long the roof replacement takes. Here are a few factors which can impact the time it will take to replace your existing roof:
The extent of the work
The bigger your roof is, the longer it’s going to take to not only remove the existing shingles but to replace them as well. Also, if the deck below your shingles has been damaged and needs to be replaced (for example, if it’s sagging as a result of water damage), then it will add to the time to complete the project. Whereas removing the shingles on a roof is relatively straight forward, removing the deck can be quite challenging. When it comes down to it, the more work needing to be done, the longer it will take. If your entire roof needs replacing and your house is on the bigger side, expect it to take longer to replace your roof.
The difficulty of the work
Although having to remove a deck does make a roof replacement more difficult as well, there are certain other factors which add to the difficulty of roof replacement, even if you’re only having the shingles replaced. For example, the number of features your roof has can make installing new shingles more complicated. Roof features which make shingle installation more tricky include eaves, ridges, and valleys.
The materials being used
Certain shingles are easier to install than others. For instance, replacing the typical asphalt shingle doesn’t take a lot of time. Asphalt shingles are lightweight and easy to remove as well as to install. However, other types of materials, such as slate shingles, are much heavier and require more care to install. Metal roofing usually takes longer to install as well.
The weather
Poor weather can cause delays. A reputable contractor won’t risk the safety of their workers in an attempt to work through inclement weather. If it rains or if conditions make roof work too dangerous to complete, the job will be delayed. While most roofers will schedule roof replacement on a day with a favorable weather forecast.
The roofer
Who you hire affects how long roof replacement takes as well. An experienced roofer with a larger crew is going to be able to replace your roof faster. A less experienced contractor with a smaller crew will take a lot longer to complete the project.
How Often Do You Need a Roof Replacement?
There are a lot of different factors which determine whether your roof needs to be replaced. Certain types of damage can often be repaired, especially if you have a newer roof. However, if you have an older roof and it’s consistently experiencing issues despite regular repairs, it might be more cost-effective to simply replace your roof. All roofs have to be replaced eventually, after all. Their lifespan depends on the material, for example, slate and tile roofs can last upwards of 50 years, while asphalt shingle roofs usually last around 20.
The material of the roof isn’t the only factor. The quality of the installation also affects the roof’s lifespan. If your roof wasn’t properly installed, it’s more likely to experience damage over the course of its life, resulting in a shorter lifespan. Of course, even if you have a properly installed, brand new roof, it may need replacing if it experiences severe damage. It’s difficult to determine on your own if your roof needs to be replaced or not. This is especially true when you consider many homeowners have no idea how old their roofs are. With this in mind, it’s best you seek out a professional opinion on whether a roof replacement is necessary. To request a free roof estimate in the Capital Region of New York or Southern Vermont, be sure to contact us at Pinnacle Roofing today!
