Average Cost to Replace a Roof on a 1,600 Square Foot House

A 1,600 square foot roof is typically found on a single-story home with a rectangular or square floor plan. However, the exact size and shape of the roof will depend on the design of the house. For example, a 1,600 square foot ranch-style home with a simple gable roof may have a roof with an 1,800 square foot area. On the other hand, a two-story home with a more complex roof design may have a smaller roof with a 1,200 to 1,600 square foot area, but one that will cost more to replace due to the complexity of a roof design.

When it comes to the cost of roof replacement, the type of house and roof design can have a significant impact. For instance, a house with a flat or low-slope roof may require a different type of roofing material, such as a single-ply membrane or rubber roofing system, which can be more expensive than traditional shingles. Additionally, the pitch or slope of the roof can affect the installation process, with steeper roofs requiring additional safety measures and potentially driving up labor and installation costs.

Here are some examples of how different types of houses and roof types can impact the cost of a roof replacement:

• Ranch-style home with a gable roof: A simple gable roof on a ranch-style home with a 1,600 square foot area may cost between $7,000 and $12,000 to replace with asphalt shingles, depending on factors such as location, number of existing layers of shingles, and roof slope.
• Two-story colonial with a hip roof: A two-story colonial with a hip roof, which has four sloping sides, may cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to replace with traditional shingles, depending on the size and complexity of the roof.
• Modern-style home with a flat roof: A modern-style home with a flat roof may require a more expensive roofing material, such as a PVC or TPO membrane or EPDM rubber roofing system, which can increase the cost of a roof replacement to between $12,000 and $20,000. depending upon the condition of the roof and your home’s location.
• Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof: A Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof design may require additional labor and materials, such as copper flashing or slate tiles, which can drive up the cost of a roof replacement to between $25,000 and $40,000 or more.

 

It’s important to note that these are just examples, and the cost of a roof replacement will depend on many factors specific to each home and roof. Homeowners should always obtain several quotes from reputable roofing contractors to get a better idea of the cost for their specific situation.

• Three-tab shingles: Typically cost between $4.00 to $5.50 per square foot to install, depending on the condition of the roof and your home’s location. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $6,400 and $8,800. These shingles are a good option for homeowners who are looking for an affordable, basic option that still provides adequate protection for their roof. They have a flat, uniform appearance and come in a range of colors.
• Architectural shingles: Generally cost between $4.50 to $7.50 per square foot to install, depending on project scope and location. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $7,200 and $12,000. These shingles are a step up from three-tab shingles in terms of quality and durability. They have a three-dimensional appearance and are available in a wider range of styles and colors. They are a good choice for homeowners who want a more attractive roof without breaking the bank.
• Premium shingles: Usually cost between $6.50 to $11.00 per square foot to install. For a 1,600 square foot roof, this would cost between $10,400 and $17,600. These shingles are the highest quality and offer the best durability and performance. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, and may even be designed to mimic the appearance of other materials like slate or wood. Premium shingles are a good choice for homeowners who want to achieve a distinctive curb appeal and are willing to invest in a long-lasting, high-quality roofing system.

*Note the above examples are for a 1,600 square foot roof, while a 1,600 square foot home can have a roof with an area between 1,000 and 1,900 square feet. Roof design and number of stories determine the overall difficulty of the roof, and its size. The cost is more a factor of difficulty and roof complexity rather than the square footage of the roof alone.

Cost Factors

How Does the Choice of Roofing Material/System Impact Costs?

The choice of roofing material is a major factor in determining the cost of a roof replacement. Here are some examples of how different materials can impact the cost for each of the previously mentioned homes:

• Ranch-style home with a gable roof: A 1,600 square foot gable roof on a ranch-style home may cost between $6,400 and $12,000 to replace with mid-range architectural asphalt shingles, as mentioned before. However, upgrading to a more durable material like metal or slate can increase the cost to between $18,400 and $25,000 or more. On the other hand, opting for a cheaper material like rolled roofing (not recommended) or corrugated metal could lower the cost to around $4,000 to $10,000, but these materials are typically less durable and have a shorter lifespan.
• Two-story colonial with a hip roof: A traditional architectural shingle replacement on a 1,600 square foot hip roof of a two-story colonial may cost between $10,000 and $15,000, as mentioned earlier. Upgrading to a more durable material like metal, tile or slate can increase the cost to between $20,000 and $40,000 or more. Alternatively, choosing a cheaper material like rolled roofing (not recommended) or the basic three-tab asphalt shingles can lower the cost to around $5,000 to $11,000, but these materials will have a shorter lifespan.
• Modern-style home with a flat roof: As previously mentioned, a modern-style home with a flat roof may require a more expensive roofing material like an EPDM rubber roofing system, which can increase the cost of a roof replacement to between $10,000 and $16,000. However, upgrading to a more durable material like PVC or TPO can increase the cost to between $15,000 and $20,000 or more.
• Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof: As previously mentioned, a Victorian-style home with a steep, intricate roof design may require additional labor and materials, such as copper flashing or slate tiles, which can drive up the cost of a roof replacement to between $25,000 and $40,000 or more. Choosing a cheaper material like asphalt shingles for everything including those victorian towers can lower the cost to around $15,000 to $30,000, but these materials may not be as aesthetically pleasing and may not last as long as more expensive options like metal or slate.

It’s important to note that the above costs are just estimates and can vary depending on the specific factors of each home and roof. Homeowners should always consult with a reputable roofing contractor to obtain a more accurate quote based on their specific needs and preferences.

How to Choose the Right Roofing Material?

The choice of roofing material depends on a few factors:

• Budget: Three-tab shingles are the most budget-friendly option. However, architectural shingles can provide better value. The premium shingles can be quite expensive.
• Aesthetic preference: If you want a more dimensional or stylish look, architectural or premium shingles may be a better choice than three-tab shingles.
• Climate: If you live in an area with high winds or frequent storms, a thicker shingle like architectural or premium (rated for 130 MPH wind uplift) would be more appropriate.
• Roof Frame and Slope: The choice of roofing material can also be dependent upon the strength of the roof frame (for slate and tiles) and roof slope. For example, if the roof has a low slope, asphalt shingles would not be a suitable choice (as they would not provide adequate protection against water infiltration), while a PVC or TPO roof would be a great option, followed by EPDM rubber.

Condition of the Existing Roof

The condition of the roof deck and the number of existing layers of shingles can also impact the cost of a roof replacement project.

If the roof deck is damaged or rotting, it may need to be repaired or replaced before the new roof can be installed. This can add thousands of dollars to the total cost, depending on the extent of the damage and the type of material used for the replacement.

The number of existing layers of shingles can also impact the cost. In some areas, building codes may limit the number of layers of shingles that can be installed on a roof. Typically, you cannot have more than two layers. So, if there are already multiple layers of shingles on the roof, they will need to be removed before the new roof can be installed. This can add several hundred or even thousands of dollars to the total cost, depending on the size of the roof and the amount of labor required for removal.

For example, if we take the previous example of a 1,600 square foot ranch-style house with an 1,800 square foot gable roof and asphalt shingles, and assume the roof deck is in good condition and there is only one layer of shingles, the cost to replace the roof might be around $8,000-$10,000. However, if the roof deck needs to be repaired or replaced and there are multiple layers of shingles, the cost could be significantly higher, perhaps ranging from $10,000-$14,000 or more.

 

It’s important to note that the actual cost will depend on various factors, such as the extent of the damage to the roof deck, the number of layers of shingles, and the roofing material used. It’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable roofing contractors to get an accurate estimate for your specific situation.

Location, Location, Location

The cost of a roof replacement project can also vary depending on the location and cost of living in that area. Generally, areas with a higher cost of living will have higher labor and material costs, which can increase the total cost of the project.

For example, a 1,600 square foot ranch-style house with an 1,800 square foot gable roof and asphalt shingles located in a low-cost-of-living rural area may cost around $6,000-$8,000 for a complete roof replacement. In a middle-cost-of-living suburban area, the same project may cost around $8,000-$10,000, and in a high-cost-of-living urban or coastal city, the same project may cost around $10,000-$15,000 or more.

 

Here are some specific examples:

• Rural area: A 1,600 square foot ranch-style house with a gable roof and asphalt shingles in a rural area of Oklahoma might cost around $6,000-$8,000 for a complete roof replacement.
• Suburban area: The same project in a suburban area of Texas might cost around $8,000-$10,000.
• Urban area: In a high-cost-of-living urban area like New York City or San Francisco, the same project could cost around $10,000-$15,000 or more.

It’s important to note that these are just rough estimates and that the actual cost will depend on various factors such as the roofing material used, the condition of the roof deck, and the number of layers of shingles. It’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable roofing contractors to get an accurate estimate for your specific situation.