Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. And since your roof is the first line of defense against pests, the elements, and other types of damage, it’s important that you choose the right one for your home! Aesthetics are important, but cost, weight, and installation should also be taken into serious consideration.
Whether you’re replacing your current roof, or building your home from scratch, we pulled together this guide to help you choose the roofing that’s right for your home, your style, and your budget.
Square Up
Before we dive into how to choose the right roof, we want to make sure that you understand some roofing terminology. This will help keep you from getting confused or miscalculating while you’re comparing roofing materials. Generally, roofers don’t use the term “square feet.” Instead, they’ll talk about materials in terms of “squares.” One “square” of roofing is actually 100 square feet in area (or a 10 ft x 10 ft square).
To put this in perspective, the roof of an average 2,000-square-foot home with a gable roof about 15 squares – or a little less than 1,500 square feet of roofing area.
So, when we discuss cost, it will be per square not per square foot. Use the equation above to help you determine the average cost of your roof.
Consider the Cost
There are a number of factors that will affect the cost of your roof, including:
- Cost of the materials
- Cost of installation
- The condition of your existing roof and its support structure
- You’ll have to pay to have your old roof removed and to repair any damages or weaknesses in the support structure
- The shape of your roof
- Multiple chimneys, dormers, turrets, or skylights make it a more complicated – and therefore more costly -job
Make sure that these considerations are included in the estimate when you get quotes on the construction of your new roof – you don’t want any big, expensive surprises!
Mull Over Materials
Whether you prefer a metal roof, an asphalt shingle roof, a slate or tile roof, or a wooden shake roof, you have to choose wisely to avoid incurring unforeseen expenses. Not all roofing materials can be used on every roof. Consider the following:
- If your roof is flat or sloped – a flat roof cannot always bear the weight of heavier materials like slate or tile, and asphalt shingles can collect water and lead to damage
- The weight of the material – slate and tile are very heavy and the structure of many homes cannot bear the weight without extra supports being built
- How long you’ll be in your home – before you install a very expensive slate or metal roof, you should consider how long you’ll be in your home. If it’s just a few years, you may want to choose a budget-friendly option because you won’t be there long enough to reap the benefits and recoup your losses.
Sometimes, the best way to decide on a roofing material is to look at the existing roof. If there was an asphalt shingle roof, an asphalt shingle or metal roof may be the best choice because the underlying structures were likely built to support the minimal weight.
Installations Considerations
Installation costs will vary depending on the roofing material you choose and the condition of the roofing support structure underneath. Some materials, like metal and slate, require special tools and training to install correctly, and this may add to the cost – although doing it right the first time will save you money in the long run.