Roofing Shingles Replacement Project

Roof Shingles - Apr 24,2012 - No Comment

Replacing your roof is an essential part of maintaining your home. A damaged or improperly maintained roof can cause thousands and dollars in damage to other parts of the home. Repairs only go so far, and eventually it will be time to replace your roof entirely. Replacing your roof can seem like a daunting task for the first time homeowner. Choosing between hundreds of professional roofing contractors can be confusing. Thankfully, the project of getting a new roof is not too complicated, and it helps to know what to expect.

The first step in any roof replacement project is obtaining estimates and choosing a contractor. It’s a good idea to research several companies. Make sure they have good reputations and are licensed in your state. Be sure to obtain estimates from several contractors before signing a contract, as roofing estimates can have a wide range. There are many factors that can influence the cost of a roof replacement. It’s good to know a little about them before you get too involved.

The size and slope of the roof, the materials being used, and the region of the country can all affect the final cost of the project.

Read more in this article about a roof replacement project.

By Connie Gallerizzo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Gallerizzo

http://EzineArticles.com/?What-to-Expect-During-Your-Homes-Roof-Replacement-Project&id=2636435

Roof Repairs & Shingle Project

Roof Repair - Apr 24,2012 - No Comment

The cost of a roof replacement project varies depending on where you live. A roof replacement costs less in the Midwest than it does in the Northeast. In places where the general cost of living is higher, roof replacements will cost more as well. If you live in the Midwest, you will need to replace your roof more often. High speed winds, tornadoes, blizzards, and ice storms will all wreck havoc on your roof. Temperature fluctuations can also damage roofs. In the desert the temperature can be over 100 degrees during the day and drop to 50 or 40 degrees at night. 20-year asphalt shingles in Arizona and New Mexico last on average only 15 years, due to sustained damage from temperature fluctuations. Homeowners in regions with mild weather can get away with more moderate roof repairs, putting off full replacements for longer periods of time.

Roof replacement estimates may vary depending on all of these factors (location, materials, etc.). The final cost once the work is completed may be higher than the initial estimate, as your roof may have some unforeseen damage that will add to the final cost . Underneath the shingles, your roof could be rotted or have water damage. Replacing the roof support system can add thousands of dollars to the bill, depending on the extent of the damage. This is a good incentive to keep your roof properly maintained and have it replaced on time.

Read more in this article about a roof replacement project.

By Connie Gallerizzo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Gallerizzo

http://EzineArticles.com/?What-to-Expect-During-Your-Homes-Roof-Replacement-Project&id=2636435

Roof Replacement Cost Estimator

Roof Repair - Mar 20,2012 - No Comment

A roof replacement cost estimator will be able to provide you with a reasonably accurate estimate of how much it will cost to re-roof or repair your roof. This should apply equally for new homes, or for replacing leaky or worn out roofs of existing buildings. The roof replacement cost estimator will have to factor in variables such as the cost of roofing materials, pitch (or slope) of the roof, area to be covered, and labor charges.

Roof replacement is by no means a casual or simple project. The expense involved in repairing or replacement of a roof can be a significant sum, making any decision about your roofing needs one that must be carefully considered and meticulously researched.

The first step before using a roof replacement cost estimator is to collect relevant data to help with your estimation. Roofing area is among the most important. Roof area is measured in squares, a square being 100 square feet (typically 10×10 feet). This sounds easy to calculate, except that most roofs are not simple squares. They have projections and outcroppings, come in different shapes and slopes, and have dormers and chimneys that need to be separately measured.

Getting your roof replacement contractor to handle this part of the project makes more sense than you trying to measure the roofing area – unless, of course, you’re a wizard at geometry! It is important to understand that the accuracy of any measurement or estimation will be only approximate at best. The idea is to get as close as possible to the real metrics, so factor in an error rate of 10% or so in every estimate.

Roof replacement cost estimator scripts exist online as roofing calculators. They will be of enormous help in assessing the cost of a new roof for your new building, or for roof replacement cost in older homes. Once you arrive at an estimate, you will be in a better position to evaluate quotations from different contractors, or even negotiate a better deal because you have a fair idea of what it will cost.

Factors That Impact Roof Replacement Cost

Even without using a roof replacement cost estimator, it is clear that the weight and slope of a roof will have a significant impact on expenses. Shingles are more expensive when they are of higher quality, which usually means the roof will be heavier. Pitch (or slope) makes working on it harder, so a steep roof will typically incur higher labor charges.

Because of the slope, it can be deceptive to estimate roof area if you try and go by the floor area. As the slope increases, it takes a surprisingly higher number of shingles to cover it. A roof of 12/12 pitch will consume two times as many shingles for roofing it as a roof of 6/12 pitch.

Roof design affects the appearance and style of a house. At the same time, it also has an effect on how costly it will be to repair or replace it later on. Heavier shingles of higher quality are proportionately more expensive. And while it adds to the resale value of the building, this factor is one to keep in mind when you are repairing a roof.

Roofing Costs and Warranties

Most roofing material is covered under a manufacturer’s warranty for the natural lifetime of the shingles. That’s a benefit for homeowners who face the prospect of roof replacement cost shortly after building a new roof. Heavier shingles often have a longer warranty period. Checking with your manufacturer to see if the roof replacement cost can be at least partially defrayed through a warranty may cut down on your overall costs.

Roof Replacement Costs For Complex Roofs

Some roofs are harder to fix than others. Labor charges will make up a higher share of the total cost. Chimneys or dormers add a level of complexity to the roofing, for which most contractors will charge a higher fee. Materials also will be needed in larger quantities. Roof replacement cost estimator software must factor this into the calculations. Otherwise you could end up making a gross underestimate – and run into costly surprises later on.

A roof replacement cost estimator can speed up the process of making roof repair estimates, and even simplify what is a boring and tricky task. However you cannot rely too much on such a cost estimator because of the number of variables that impact roof replacement cost. Be sure to allow for some margin of error. Used correctly a roof replacement cost estimator can be a very handy tool to compute roofing expenses.

Installing Roof Shingles – Pitfalls To Avoid And Tips For Effective Roofing

Roof Shingles - Mar 07,2012 - No Comment

As a homeowner the task of installing roof shingles is a daunting one unless you are a professional roofing contractor or have lot of do-it-yourself experience. But, considering that the maximum expense incurred in a roofing project is cost of labor most homeowners are tempted to take up this project as a challenge. Roofing is not all that difficult if you know the basics like hammering, nailing, measuring, keeping straight lines and most important keeping safety rules in mind.

Most homeowners are first time roofers. And as beginners they tend to make mistakes when installing roof shingles. In our experience it has been found that amateurs roofers commit the following ten most common mistakes. They leave out the starter strip. The starter strip is first line of shingles which do not have tabs. Second mistake they commit is not following a straight line when installing the shingles. This will create a wavy appearance and immediately shows up as a work done by amateur.

Third mistake that most people doing roofs for the first time is not allowing for a overhand of shingles at the eaves. The overhang helps the water/snow to fall to the ground rather than drip on the walls of the home. Shingles have to be nailed properly and firmly. Many roofers tend to do this wrong and this causes the shingles to come away soon after laying or damages the shingles becoming the source of leak soon after. When installing roof shingles anew it is important to replace flashing around chimneys and other vents, skylights and windows. This makes the roof secure around these openings in the roof without any danger of water seepage or leaks.

A big mistake is to use tar to seal any gaps in the roof. Tar is a big no-no. When it is hot the tar melts and oozes into the surrounding shingles damaging them. Bigger mess is when the tar melts and flows over the sidings and walls of the house. To fix this mess you will be paying a lot more than what you spend on a professional roofer. Installing roof shingles can be a tough job for first-timer but does not excuse any tardy work as this will haunt you for years to come. Another big mistake is not maintaining straight lines at the hip and ridges. A roof is the first thing that most people will notice about a home. A badly done job can reduce the value of your home by several thousand dollars.

When installing roof shingles for every shingle use 4 nails. The shingles should overlap. At every point on the roof, wherever there are joints and even where there are none, shingles have to overlap. At the eaves, near the edges, near the hips, valleys, all the vents, flashing, gutters and hips. The shingles have to be laid so no adjacent rows have the shingles lined up. This is to prevent wind-shear or the zipper effect when a whole columns of shingles are blown away in a strong wind. If you think you can do with 3 nails for every shingle then you are in big trouble. The extra nail takes only a few seconds more and will save your roof from a catastrophic failure later on.

Where the manufacturing guidelines mention that you will need ice and water shield make sure you use it. The felt on the deck protects it from potential damage. Particularly on low pitched roofs where the drainage or evacuation of water and snow is slower ice and water shield is a must. If you avoid the above mistakes when installing roof shingles you will do good job of which you can be proud. also, you will get years of trouble free service from your newly installed roof.

What Factors Impact The Cost To Replace A Roof?

Roof Repair - Mar 05,2012 - No Comment

How much do you think it will cost to replace a roof? This question, with various nuances and twists, has been asked so many times that this report was created as a definitive answer to help others like you who face the dilemma of trying to budget for roof replacement – and want to know how much they should expect to pay to replace a roof.

Sometimes home owners are forced to replace a roof because they got scammed. For instance, a home flipper may fob off a building on you after just slapping on a new row of shingles over an older worn out roof. When you take possession of the new home and go through everything carefully, you may discover that the roof needs to be replaced and get a quote from a roofing contractor.

So what does it cost to replace a roof? Do typical costs run into tens of thousands of dollars? Or can it be done in a more cost effective manner?

Cost To Replace a Roof – A Ballpark Figure

If you begin with a working estimate of $250 per square, you’ll not be far off the correct figure. This estimate should include the cost of roofing material and labor, with additional charges being applicable for complex work such as roofing around chimneys, skylights, working on steep roofs and special tasks that may be unique to your building.

The cost to replace a roof will depend upon the size of your building and the area of the roof to be replaced. What material was used before, and what kind of roof you are looking to install now are other factors. Special issues such as a very steep pitch, bad climatic conditions, the need to remove or fix rotten wood frames of the older roof, and disposal of environment-unfriendly previous material will all escalate the cost to replace a roof.

Should the Cost to Replace a Roof Intimidate You?

The short and simple answer – absolutely not! Look, there are some home improvements and modifications that are optional and can be put off to whenever it is convenient and affordable. Replacing one’s roof does sit under this umbrella category. But if you put it off for too long, not only will the problem become more severe, you may face several other related damages to your home which could end up costing more by way of money and trouble than if you acted promptly to replace your roof.

Unless you first make sure your roof is secure and non-leaky, any other improvement jobs you do inside the home will be to waste. The most excellent interior decorating job or an attractive paint job will be ruined when your roof leaks. So replace your roof first before engaging upon other interior work.

Does the Cost to Replace a Roof Decrease in Summer?

Not really, especially if you can find a good roofing contractor to handle your project. Indeed, in certain climates, it can be practically impossible to find ideal weather conditions in which to have your roof replaced. That’s why whatever you pay for roofing contractors is money well spent. They will be able to handle your roofing job regardless of weather conditions, and not many will charge you more for working in bad weather.

It is however important to ensure that some areas are dry and will have time for the roofing cement to set before further work can progress. So if the circumstances are very bad, then artificial protection for the working area may be necessary for a portion of the time, which can add to the cost to replace a roof.

The Roof Replacement Process

A modest roof replacement job can be done in just 3 or 4 days. The step by step sequence is similar for most buildings. The first step is to remove existing roofing, including roof shingles. These must then be safely disposed. Any repairs that are necessary on the roof are then carried out. Ice dam protection may be needed in some locations.

The next step is to lay asphalt paper on the roofing area, and then the shingles are fixed in a sequence that is well described and followed by most roofing professionals. The projections and outcroppings on any roof are handled specifically, taking care to ensure no leaks are left. Flashing is applied around chimneys, vents and dormers. Ridge vents are finally placed and the roofing job is finished.

The cost to replace a roof depends upon all these factors and the degree of damage that exists at present. By working with a skilled professional and taking care to act promptly before the damage is too severe, it is possible to replace a roof in a cost effective and efficient manner.

How To Replace Roof Shingles – Safety And Effective Roofing Guidelines

Roof Shingles - Feb 21,2012 - No Comment

How to replace roof shingles is often asked question among homeowners facing minor or major roof damage. A rainstorm or hurricane might have dislodged a few shingles or a couple of shingles might have cracked due to falling debris or the whole roof might need replacement because of age. For the minor repairs it would be absolute waste of time and money to employ a roofer when the homeowner is competent enough to do the job himself/herself.

This informative guide will help you through the process of replacing roof shingles and not waste your money on expensive roofing contractors. So, before we start you should remember that the first and foremost step every “how to replace roof shingles” guide emphasizes is about safety. Roofing has to be done at several feet above the ground and a person not accustomed to working at heights and has a phobia for them should avoid it. It is to some extent dangerous work so, all precautions need to be taken to make yourself as secure as possible when working up there.

Make your ladder secure, if it falls down or blown away, you will have jump a long distance and that can land you straight away in the hospital. Have an assistant to help you out to hold the ladder or to hand you the tools. Having another person around is always comforting and in case of an emergency they can seek help. Steeper slopes are more difficult to walk on and so you should hire roof jacks and walk boards. Learn how to them up securely and safely. If in doubt hire a professional. A few hundred dollars saved in roofer’s fees is not worth you seriously hurting yourself.

Power lines are another danger. They carry high amounts of current and if you contact with these high tension wires you can be electrocuted. So, make sure you as far away from them as possible. If you have to move it out your way, then use a long dry wooden pole with Y-shaped ending that can keep the wire away as you work. This is again a very dangerous situation and if your home is in the vicinity of power cables then be very careful or hire a professional who know how to handle it.

Keep those two points firmly in mind before learning how to replace roof shingles. The first step is to place ice and water shield. This will prevent ice backing up. Place these shields in the valleys also. Next, place felt on the decking. Use 30 pound or 15 pound felt though the former is preferable. Nail it in place. Three rows of nails are generally needed but in high wind areas 4 rows may be needed. Install drip edges starting at the eaves.

Next, comes shingles installation in how to replace roof shingles step-by-step guide. Begin with the starter course of 3 tab shingles with the tabs removed. The shingles need to overhang over the drip edge by at least half an inch. In the next row, cut off about 6 inches of the first shingle and install it. This is to prevent the lining up of the shingles. Nail the shingles 4 per shingle. Nail high and don’t let the nail go through the shingle. Stagger the shingles.

Read the instructions on the shingles pack about how to replace roof shingles and follow them including the nailing pattern. Start from the bottom and work your way upwards till the ridge. At the valleys and vents in the roof you will need flashing. After the flashing is installed, shingles have to be installed over it. At each stage ensure that there is lot of overlap to avoid any leaks or water seepage. Apply the cap at the ridges.

The above is not an exhaustive guide on how to replace roof shingles.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Roof?

Roof Repair - Feb 20,2012 - No Comment

How much does it cost to replace a roof? Expecting your roof to last forever is as unreal as hoping that your roof can be replaced inexpensively. Even though a good roof often lasts for 25 to 50 years (or even longer), eventually wear and tear sets in and makes either repair or replacement necessary. In this short report, we will discuss how much does it cost to replace a roof and offer some guidelines that will help you when the time comes to find a roofing contractor.

When To Replace Your Roof

How much it costs to replace your roof will depend upon many factors such as the size of your roof, the climate conditions in your area, local rates charged by contractors and their team of workers, and the nature of work involved in replacing the roof. The NCRA suggests viewing the expense as being distributed over the lifetime of the roof, rather than as a single upfront cost.

To arrive at this estimation, you must calculate the total cost of the roofing job which includes material and labor, and then divide it by the expected total number of years that the roof will be intact. That way you will be able to tell if the choice of repairing an existing roof is more cost effective than having it replaced.

Typically roofing contractors will quote you a rate based on squares (100 square feet of roof needing replacement). Most homes are between 2000 and 2400 square feet in size, and this can be used as a rough rule of thumb to compare how much does it cost to replace a roof.

Cost of Removing a Damaged Roof

When you have decided to replace your roof, the first step to take is remove or replace whatever is damaged in the previous roofing frame. The material must either be torn off or prepared so that the new roof can be laid over it. How much it costs to replace your roof will depend upon how many layers exist in the older roof. Usually the rates quoted will be between $90 and $170 per square foot.

Then comes the actual job of laying a new roof. Asphalt shingles roofing is the least expensive since the material is inexpensive and labor is relatively less difficult. Steep roofs will cost more as the contractors must work under harder conditions. Taller buildings will cost more to roof than one-story ranch-style homes.

How much does it cost to replace a roof when you are simply overlaying a new roof over the previous one? Well, obviously it will cost less because you have done away with tear off costs. But be warned that not all roofs can be handled that way, because codes and zoning laws prohibit the laying of too many layers unless the supporting structure is reinforced. Also, an overlaid roof has one-fifth lower life expectancy than a new one, which partially offsets the higher cost of roof replacement.

Cost of Replacing a Roof

Once the roof is prepared and ready for work to begin, roofers must make sure there is no ongoing damage or leak. The problems must be fixed first before new shingles can be laid. Protective under-layment may need reinforcing if the older roof has to be torn off.

How much does it cost to replace a roof after the old one is removed? Asphalt shingles roofs will cost between $110 and $140 per square, while slate roofs are almost the same. Wood shake roofing is more expensive at $150 to $215 per square, and clay tiles are slightly costlier. Metal roofing is in a higher bracket still, costing between $350 and $1100 per 100 square feet for roof replacement.

A higher cost will apply for materials that have longer warranties and are more durable and long lasting. Decorative or composite shingles that have special features such as solar panels are also more expensive. The use of protective membrane for waterproofing can run to an added $70 per square and removal of plywood decking will cost $50 to $60 per sheet.

Among other factors that impact how much does it cost to replace a roof are any necessary permits and orders to comply with governmental regulations. These will vary by area but some contractors will charge a flat fee to cover all exigencies.

Going by these estimates and approximating the average roof area to be 2,400 square feet, a roof replacement can cost upwards of $10,000 – a figure that grows bigger if you use premium roofing materials. For instance, metal roofs made of copper or zinc can run well in excess of $30,000 for a similar roof area.

So the next time you think about asking how much does it cost to replace a roof, keep all these factors in mind – and realize that even the most meticulously computed estimate can only be a rough indication.

Simple Tips To Replacing Shingles On Roof

Roof Shingles - Feb 07,2012 - No Comment

Replacing shingles on roof that are damaged – warped, torn, cracked, curled or blown away in wind should be the number one priority for any homeowner with a to-do list of home renovation projects. Every other task can wait but not roof repair. The reason is simple. Damaged roofs can leak water and ruin nearly everything inside the house if not fixed properly. From your tastefully decorated interiors to your paint job and your carpets will suffer if water starts seeping in.

You kitchen renovation and bathroom remodeling can wait but not roof repair or replacement. Once, its importance is established let’s move on to the actual task of replacing shingles on roof. The following are the usual roofing types found on most homes. Asphalt shingles – affordable and easy to install, cedar shake shingles – natural, attractive but not suitable for wet weather, metal roofing – light-weight and versatile, slate roofing – heavy but attractive, needs special skills and very expensive. The pitch of the roof also determines the type of roofing to opt for. Very steep roofs should use wood shingles.

The cost of replacing shingles on roof is largely determined by the roofing material used. The most economical are asphalt shingles while architectural shingles fall at the higher end. Slate, metal and tiles are the most expensive and also require training and skills on the part of the roofer to do a good job. Replacing roofs can set you back by $5000 dollars at the lower end of the scale. If you pick the more expensive roofing options you will be paying a lot more.

Remember that replacing shingles on roof does not mean just the material cost but also the cost of labor and cost of repairing any damaged part on the deck. Other factors like area of roof, pitch and expertise of the roofing contractor also determine the price you will pay to get your damaged roof repaired. As roofing contractors quote prices with their overheads and other costs included you can and should negotiate for better prices.

You should be aware of few roofing terms used in the industry that lay men may not understand. A square is 100 square feet, composition shingles means asphalt shingles, vent – runs along the ridge of the roof and is used to let out the heat trapped under the shingles. This vent is important to prevent the shingles from buckling under high heat and failing.

If you are attempting the roofing job yourself then you have to wait for nice, dry day to do it. Professional roofers on the other hand don’t have the luxury and have enough experience and safety equipment to it even on a rainy day. As a one man homeowner trying to do your roof you can’t imagine what a team of professionals working in perfect harmony can accomplish in the spells of dry weather available on a rainy day. Most professionals can finish replacing shingles on roof in 3-4 days maximum.

Sometimes, it pays to get a professional to do the job. Replacing shingles on the roof is best left to professionals if it is for the entire roof. On the other hand replacing a few damaged shingles can be handled by most homeowners if they follow all safety precautions.