Silver Spring Roofing: Article About Roof Replacement Cost

Common roofing term explained by the roofers from Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Silver Spring MD: Pitch

Pitch is the angle of a roof. Contractors use a ratio scale to describe pitch. For example, a 7:12 pitch relates to 7 inches of horizontal length for every 12 inches of vertical rise. So, a 12:12 is a very steep roof pitch and requires a number of precautions to ensure the safety of the workers.

Question for the expert roofers from Silver Spring Home Improvement, MD of Seneca Creek: What are the major steps involved with a roof replacement?

A roof replacement can be a long and difficult process. The major steps involved include protecting the property, removing old material, inspecting the sub-structure for wear and tear, preparing the roof for shingles and installing the new material. After the major work is done, a professional contractor will perform a site cleanup and final inspection.

Seneca Creek Home Improvement: Reliable Silver Spring MD Roofers

Silver Spring roofing contractors must take many variables into account when estimating a roof replacement or new roof installation. In truth, a roof replacement is one of the most expensive remodel or maintenance projects a homeowner will ever encounter. While a contractor will discuss all the particulars with the homeowner during the planning phase, it's wise to understand the different aspects that go into a roof replacement estimate.

Determining a ballpark figure for installing a new roof is a bit difficult, considering averages vary widely from state to state. According to Angie's List members in 2013, they paid an average of just under $9,000 for an asphalt shingle roof replacement. Contractors in California reported installing new asphalt roofs for as low as $5,000. As expected, higher quality materials such as slate or clay tiles cost a considerably larger amount. Estimates range from $20,000 to over $150,000. This vast gulf in averages is due in part to the different variables that contractors must take into account when estimating a roof replacement project.

The variable that contributes the most to determining the overall cost of a replacement project is the total size of the roof. Contractors calculate estimates per roofing square. So, a 4,000-square-foot roof would be divided into 40 squares. From that calculation, a contractor will determine how much material is needed and how much labor the project will require.

Have a question regarding roofing, siding or gutters? Please ask expert roofers from Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Silver Spring MD today.

The next most important variable to roofing contractors is the material. A lightweight product, such as asphalt shingles, is easier to work with and faster to install. National averages to install asphalt shingles on 1 square foot of roof are from $5 to $7. So, for a 1,200-square-foot home with asphalt shingles, the total cost can be from $3,000 to $4,000. On the other end of the spectrum, a tile roof with similar proportions can range from $7,000 to $10,000. This disparity in cost shows just how important material is to the overall cost of a roof replacement.

The final variables roofers look at when estimating a roof replacement is the angle of the roof and ease of access to the home. A roof pitch of 7:12 or lower is rather shallow and easy to work on. However, steeper pitches require a lot of safety harnesses and are generally more time-consuming to replace. Another factor is accessibility. How closely can the workers get needed materials and equipment to the work area? Do they have to lug heavy materials for a long distance? All of these elements are taken into account during the roof replacement estimation process.