Roofing Material Prices – The Major Factors Affecting Roofing Costs

The major factors affect roofing material prices. This article will explore them in detail. Of course there are other factors too that affect these costs but not to the same extent as the factors we will be talking about here.

Condition Of Roof

Condition of existing roof is a factor in determining roofing prices. For example a decision to ‘repair’ or ‘replace’ a roof needs to be taken. Small repairs are less expensive than replacement of the roof. Again replacing a few tiles or shingles is way cheaper than replacing the entire roof. If you are looking at remodeling your home then you might want to replace the entire roof which will be costlier in terms of roofing materials prices. Again if the supporting structure needs repair, then the costs will add up.

Complexity Of Roof

The shape of the roof, its complexity and height of the roof are major factors that will determine roof price. Gable roofs are the simplest and cost the least, but a roof with turrets, chimneys, skylights, vents, dormers, valleys, intersecting points is a complex one and costs more.

Materials

Roofing material prices plays a major factor is selection of the roofing. Again, not all roof structures can support every type of roofing material. Slate and clay tiles are heavy and will need reinforced roofing structure to support them. Also, the steeper pitch makes it more difficult to carrier heavier shingles up the slope.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roof in USA because the roofing material prices for this is the cheapest. It requires very little effort and skill to install. These shingles have a fiberglass base into which asphalt granules are impregnated. There are two types of these shingles one is the standard 3-tab shingles of single thickness variety and the thicker, laminated products of higher thickness are more expensive and last longer. The roofing material prices for asphalt varies with thickness and the life-span also depends on the price of the product. The higher priced products last longer and they are lot more attractive with textured finish. The higher roofing material prices of laminated shingles start from $50 dollars per square are justified by their longer life-spans.

Roofing material prices for metal shingles is expensive. It is a durable roof and costs about $250 per square. The prices can up depending on the metal type used. Aluminum, copper, steel, galvanized steel, galvalume are just few of the possible choices. Copper is the most expensive roofing option but it can last for 100 years or more.

Wood was a very popular option for many centuries. Readily available from local sources, wood shingles were made from cedar, redwood and pine trees. But, the decreasing forest cover and the fact that they can readily catch fire have limited their use. They have 25 years of life expectancy. Roofing materials prices for wood is twice as much as that of asphalt.

The roofing material prices for slate is the highest starting at $800 per square. Add to it the installation cost and you will see that these roofs are out of reach of most homeowners with modest budgets. These roofs will last much longer than the supporting fasterners and underlayment. Many old churches which feature slate roofs have had it for 100, 200 or 300 years. In many case the slate roofs are dismantled to help replace rotting wooden beams supporting them. The roof is re-used either in the same building or elsewhere.

Picking The Roofing Material

Most often the roofing material prices are determing factor in picking a particular type of roof. Another factor that affect this price is the roof previously used on the home. Changing the roofing material is not an easy choice for exisiting homes as a lot of other factors play a role like the exteriors of the home, the surroundings, the neighborhood, the color choice, the weight of the roofing materials and so on.

When you consider roofing material prices you should include the price of underlayment like felt, flashing to prevent leakage around vents, chimneys, valleys and ridges, the accessories used in laying the roof like ridge cap and the fasterners used to keep the shingles in place like nails and clips. Installation cost will include labor cost and cost of removal of old roof and its disposal.