4 Things You Need to Know About Roof Replacement

Whether you realize it or not, your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. Not only does the roof protect your home from the elements, when it's in great shape, your roof helps with energy efficiency, plus it can improve the value of your home. Because your roof is such a vital component to your home, keep up with maintenance and repairs.

However, if you find that you are constantly making repairs to your roof, it may be time to replace it. This is a big decision, as replacing the roof is not just a simple home improvement project. Instead, it can be a major undertaking. To help you make the decision, here are four things you need to know about roof replacement.

1. Know How Long a Roof Lasts

Many factors affect how long you can expect your roof to last. One of which is what kind of material your roof is made out of. Here are some common roofing materials and approximately how long they usually last:

• Copper roofs - more than 50 years
•  Wood shake roofs - 30 years
• Fiber cement shingles - 25 years
• Asphalt shingles - up to 20 years 
• Architectural shingles - between 25 and 30 years, sometimes up to 40 years 

If your roof is over the approximate age for your roof type, consult with a professional to determine if you should get it replaced.

2. Know the Warning Signs for Replacing Your Roof

Besides knowing how old your roof is, other warning signs indicate you may need to replace it. If you notice any of the following red flags regarding your roof, it might be time for a roof replacement:

• The shingles on your roof are curling or buckling.
• You have a lot of missing shingles, especially in your roof valley.
• There are dark spots on some parts of the roof.
• You notice daylight coming from the roof boards.
• Your roof feels spongy when walking on it.

In most cases if you notice any of these warning signs, your roof is beyond repair and if you don't take care of it, the results could be disastrous. Not only could your roof become severely damaged during the next major weather event, it could also start leaking, which would cause damage to the interior of your home.

3. Know the Cost of Roof Replacement

It can be difficult to figure out how much it will cost to replace your roof. Just like knowing how long your roof will last, the cost often depends on what type of roof you're going to get.

Other factors for roof replacement costs include location, the size of the roof, the products and supplies that are necessary to replace the roof, and whether or not the roof contains certain features, such as a chimney or skylight.

On average, it costs anywhere from $5,202 to $10,128 to replace the roof. Copper roofs are usually the most expensive and can easily cost over $25,000 for a 2,200 square foot roof.

Other common types of roofs and their estimated costs include:

• 3-tab asphalt shingles - $2,500
• Galvanized steel - $3,000
• Architectural shingles - between $7,850 and $11,000
• Wood shake shingles - between $18,000 and $20,000

While it will cost a lot of money to replace your roof, if it's built well, it will last for many years, plus you won't have to keep paying for repairs.

4. Know Who to Contact

If you have decided you need to replace your roof, contact the roof installation experts at Ratliff Enterprises for a quote. Our award-winning roofers have been serving homeowners in and around the Overland Park, KS, area since 1958. We use high quality materials to ensure your roof is well-constructed and built to last.