Cost Archives – Page 4 of 5

Roofing Materials & Installation Costs: Shingles, Metal, Flat Roofs

May 19, 2024May 18, 2024

Are you exploring the most suitable roofing options for your home? If so, roofing material types and their costs must be top of mind.

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This guide will help you explore the most popular residential roofing materials, including pricing and installation costs.

Roofing Materials Costs

Asphalt Shingles:

Asphalt shingles are generally less expensive than other roofing materials like metal and are relatively easy to install (unlike metal roofing), resulting in a lower overall cost for a new asphalt roof. However, premium (designer) asphalt shingles, such as those from GAF, CertainTeed, and Malarkey, can be as expensive as high-end roofing materials like metal. Here’s a breakdown of different types of asphalt shingles:

3-tab shingles (strip shingles):

Materials Cost: $90 to $120 per square (100 sq. ft.), excluding trim.
Characteristics: Least costly, thin, not designed for longevity, flat appearance without much dimensionality.
Top Products: GAF Royal Sovereign, CertainTeed XT 25, Owens Corning Supreme.
Wind Rating: Up to 60 MPH.
Installation Note: Care needed for alignment to avoid vertical lines running off.
Disadvantage: No manufacturer’s warranty for hail damage.
Expected Lifespan: 10 years to 20 years, depending on local climate and roof maintenance.

Architectural (dimensional) shingles:

Materials Cost: $100 to $150 per square (100 sq. ft.), excluding trim.
Characteristics: Midrange, multiple layers, dimensional appearance, thicker, and sturdier.
Wind Rating: At least 110 MPH, up to 130 MPH with the 6-nails per shingle installation.
Top Products: Owens Corning Duration, GAF Timberline HDZ, CertainTeed Landmark
Specialty: CoolRoof rated shingles eligible for rebates in California.
Disadvantage: No manufacturer’s warranty for hail damage.
Expected Lifespan: 15 years to 25 years, depending on local climate and roof maintenance.

Premium (designer) shingles:

Materials Cost: $200 to $400 per square (100 sq. ft.).
Characteristics: Custom-looking, multiple layers, distinctive appearance, performance on par with high-end architectural shingles.
Top Products: CertainTeed Grand Manor, Owens Corning Berkshire, GAF Camelot, Malarkey Windsor.
Disadvantage: No manufacturer’s warranty for hail damage.
Expected Lifespan: 20 years to 35 years, depending on local climate and roof maintenance.

Roof Cost Factors: Material Costs, Installation, Detailed Examples

May 17, 2024May 16, 2024

Is your roof due for a replacement soon? If so, you may be wondering about how different cost variables like materials and labor may impact the overall cost of the project.

An asphalt shingles roof with three skylights

Here is a detailed list of key roof cost factors to consider when planning and budgeting for a new roof:

Material type (asphalt shingles, metal, tile, slate)
Roof size and complexity (simple gable roofs vs. complex designs with multiple dormers or valleys)
Professional installation costs (varies by location and contractor)
Removal of old roofing (if applicable)
Roof pitch (steep roofs may cost more due to difficulty)
Geographic location (costs can vary significantly by region)
Seasonality (some seasons may have higher costs due to demand)
Underlayment and accessories (such as gutters, flashing, and ridge caps)
Quality of materials (higher quality materials generally cost more)
Permits and inspections (as required by local building codes)
Accessibility of the roof (ease of access for workers and equipment)
Warranty options (offered by the contractor or manufacturer)
Energy-efficient features (like cool roof technologies or solar panels)
Unexpected repairs (discovered during the roofing process)
Environmental factors (like the need for weather-resistant or fire-resistant materials)
Gutters (if the old gutters are damaged or sufficiently old to require replacement)
The number of roof penetrations (beyond one chimney and exhaust pipes or passive vents) such as skylights (and whether those require a complete reflashing or replacement) can impact overall project costs.
Choice of a contractor doing the work – full-service home remodeling companies can charge up to 20% to 30% more than specialist contractors. Companies with stellar reputation and high-end product lines/clientele will command higher prices.

Most Affordable Roofing Materials for Homes – Are Cheap Roofs Worth it?

February 11, 2024

The most affordable roofing materials for your home are 3-tab asphalt shingles and basic dimensional shingles. The cheapest roofing material of all is rolled asphalt roofing. Corrugated steel is somewhat less affordable, but lasts longer than asphalt roofing, so the lifetime value is better.

In this guide, we explore inexpensive roofing options for homes, with focus on viability and practicality, value and installed cost, top products and brands, and expected performance.

Most Affordable Roofing Options: Cost Comparison

Materials	Installed Cost per Sq. Ft.	Cost for 2,000 Sq. Ft. Roof
Asphalt Roll Roofing	$2.50 – $3.50	$5,000 – $7,000
3-tab Asphalt Shingles	$5.00 – $8.50	$10,000 – $17,000
Dimensional Shingles	$6.00 – $10.00	$12,000 – $20,000
Corrugated Steel Roofing	$7.50 – $12.50	$15,000 – $25,000

New Shingle Roof $7,500 Average price	New Metal Roof $14,500 Average price	New Flat Roof $8,225 Average price
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3-tab Asphalt Shingles

CertainTeed XT 25 3-tab strip shingles available in nearly 30 colors

The most popular cheap roofing material for residential use is 3-tab shingles, also called strip shingles.

These shingles are a single piece of material, a fiberglass mesh core coated with asphalt and topped with tinted ceramic granules. The granules give the shingle its color and reflect sunlight to help limit how hot the roof gets.

The lower half of the shingle is cut to create three separate tabs, and hence the name.

The installed cost of 3-tab asphalt shingles is $5.00 to $8.50 per square foot or $500 to $850 per roofing square (100 square feet). For most homes measuring 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, the total cost will range from $7,000 to $17,000, depending on the roof shape, accessibility, and location.

Cost Factors: The cost of a 3-tab asphalt shingle roof depends on whether you tear off the old roofing material or install the new shingles over the existing shingles. In most cases, you can add a second layer of asphalt shingles before having to do a tear off.

If starting with a bare roof deck, your choice of underlayment, water/ice barrier, ridge vent, and other accessories have a minor impact on the total cost. The largest potential cost factor is DIY installation, which could save you anywhere from $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot. However, before you go the DIY route, consider any local building code requirements, permitting and job inspection requirements, OSHA safety requirements, product warranty considerations, etc.