Roofing 101

Empowering Homeowners With Industry Insights

Your home has the vital task of keeping your family safe and dry, and your roof plays a big role in that. That’s why maintaining your roof is essential. Be prepared – regularly inspect your home’s roof and do necessary repairs immediately, know the age of your roof, and have an emergency fund for unexpected home renovations, such as roof replacement.

In this homeowners guide to roof replacement, we’ll cover the basics of roofing 101 and walk you through some of the ins and outs of finding a professional roofing contractor for your residential roof replacement.

Know the signs

Understanding Residential Roof Replacement

Your roof can take a beating while shielding your home from the elements, including everything from extreme weather to falling debris. It’s one of the most crucial components in protecting your home’s integrity.

And though the roof might often be overlooked when renovating a house, replacing your roof is necessary on a regular basis. Shingles typically need to be replaced every 15-20 years, depending on where you live in the U.S., weather severity, and other conditions.

Compare that to more durable solutions, such as metal roofing, which can last for as long as 50 years.

Why Roof Replacement is Necessary

Roof replacement is necessary thanks to years of environmental abuse. Cracked shingles, leaks, or broken tiles can jeopardize the roof’s structure, requiring repairs or replacement.

Some examples of why roof replacement is necessary include:

  • Heavy winds
  • Torrential rains
  • Hail, snow, or ice
  • Pests
  • Harsh sun
  • Extreme heat
  • Falling debris
  • Subzero temperatures
  • Fluctuating humidity levels

Even without these environmental issues, all roofs will eventually wear out over time and need to be replaced. More durable roof materials such as metal are available, which can last almost three times as long as traditional asphalt shingles.

Signs you need a home roof replacement include:

  • Your roof is older than 20 years
  • Missing, cracked, or deformed roofing or flashing
  • Damaged vents, which can be fixed temporarily by a qualified roofing professional but still indicate a replacement is needed
  • Water leaks or damage
  • Sagging ceiling
  • Loose or falling pieces of roofing
  • Visible daylight through your roof
  • Mold, moss, mildew, or algae
  • Decrease in energy efficiency
  • Rodents and bugs in the home
  • Rot

You’ll also want to watch for regular signs of wear and tear. As these issues grow in number and severity, it may be time to consider a roof replacement:

  • Visible dents from hail damage
  • Fading color and deterioration from UV (sunlight) exposure
  • Curling shingles and stress cracks from high winds
  • Dark spots, which may indicate granular loss
  • Streaking

If you’re not sure about the condition of your roof, Erie Home offers a free, no obligation inspection that can help you make the right decision. To learn more, get a free estimate and book your inspection today or call 1-800-862-6400 for more information.

An Erie Home professional removes an old roof before installing a new Metal Roof

when to ask a pro?

DIY or Hire a Professional

You might be wondering whether roof replacement is a do-it-yourself, or DIY, home project, but it’s wise to hire a professional to do the job since it’s a complex undertaking.

Whether your roof is currently shingles, tile, wood, slate, or metal, replacing your roof is best done by a qualified contractor. Professional roofers can help you select the best materials and ensure your home is outfitted with the best roofing solution in the safest way possible.

Trained installers understand how to handle where different surfaces meet and how to properly create a water barrier to prevent leaks and other issues. Consider these additional benefits of having your roof professionally installed:

Erie Home has been serving homeowners for more than 45 years, leading the way in home improvement for roof and window replacement. With a team of qualified technicians, Erie Home has offered contracting services to more than 400,000 customers nationwide.

Additionally, a roof from Erie Home meets or exceeds industry standards for all traditional and metal roofs with transferable 30-year and 50-year Limited Lifetime Warranties, respectively.

What to expect for your wallet

Cost and Budgeting for Roof Replacement

A roof is an investment that increases the value of your home and is not something you want to fail – it’s protecting your home and, therefore, your family. The cost of residential roof replacement varies widely depending on a number of factors, such as:

Metal Shake Roof

What to expect

Planning Your Budget

Residential roof replacement is an investment that can add overall value to the home. But planning your budget before committing to a roof replacement can help ease the burden of the upfront cost.

Book your free Erie Home inspection to review what needs to be done, and then determine the best materials for the project. This will allow you to create a budget for the overall cost of the roof replacement.

If not, Erie Home also offers financing, with tens of thousands of customers taking advantage of this feature for additional financial flexibility.

Other options for planning your budget include:

  • Home loan
  • Personal loans
  • Credit cards
  • Emergency funding from housing grants

Erie Home has been serving homeowners for more than 45 years, leading the way in home improvement for roof and window replacement. With a team of qualified technicians, Erie Home has offered contracting services to more than 400,000 customers nationwide.

Additionally, a roof from Erie Home meets or exceeds industry standards for all traditional and metal roofs with transferable 30-year and 50-year Limited Lifetime Warranties, respectively.

who to trust?

Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor

When you’re looking for someone to fix your roof, you want to be sure to choose the right roofing contractor. Consider the following factors when hiring a professional roofer.

Factors to Consider:

Evaluating the Contractor

When looking for the right roofing contractor, evaluate the business and interview the contractor.

Consider the following:

With over 45 years in business and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, Erie Home has the experience and the integrity you need in a roofing company.

Preparing for Roof Replacement

Prepare your house and yard for roof replacement. Some tips include:

The Roof Replacement Process

1. Initial assessment

Get a roof inspection and measure your roof. It’s important to understand the size, slope, and overall complexity of a roof replacement. Some contractors offer a free roof inspection and quote or estimate for roof repairs or replacement.

2. Tear-off vs. overlay

Remove old roofing and make necessary repairs.

  • Tear-offs are the removal of your existing roof. They’re typically more expensive than overlays and last longer. Tear-offs are the preferred method as they ensure installation is uniform, generally last longer and result in less issues over the lifetime of the roof.
  • Overlays add roofing on top of the existing roof. They may be less expensive than tear-offs and add weight to the roof.

3. Choosing materials

Research the various roofing materials available and speak with your roofing contractor about the best roofing solution for your home. From wood to metal to concrete, what’s right for your home may depend on your outdoor environment and weather.

4. Selecting the right style

Discuss the right style of roofing – for example, Spanish Tile, Shake, or Dimensional Shingle – that will best suit your home, environment, needs, and budget.

5. Installation

Once the old roofing material is removed and damaged areas are repaired, there are a number of other components that must be in place before the roofing itself is installed. These include the underlayment, drip edge, flashing, and snow & ice guards. Gutters are reinstalled if necessary. Think about replacing gutters or adding gutter guards as the roofing company can often do this at the same time.

6. Post-installation inspection

Once the roof replacement is complete, a post-installation inspection confirms the finished job to ensure all work was completed as asked.

Family walking in front of home on the sidewalk

taking care

Maintaining Your New Roof

Maintain your new roof so it lasts as long as possible. How much maintenance, time, and money you spend depends on the type of roofing material you choose to go with. Affordable options featuring lower upfront costs, such as traditional asphalt roofing, require more time and money in the long run due to higher maintenance.

Metal roofing features the least amount of maintenance, resulting in lower costs, time, and effort for your new roof replacement. Metal roofs are durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly, so the upkeep is minimal, and they last a long time.

don’t be surprised

Regular Inspection

Regularly inspect your roof. Look for signs of damage, water leaks, mold or mildew, bugs, or anything that appears out of the ordinary. Though you can safely check over your roof from the ground, it’s best to hire a professional to inspect it in-depth from the top.

Roofing specialists, such as those from Erie Home, inspect your roof inside and out for shingle deterioration, damage to the roof or gutters, faulty flashing, or structural concerns.

Red Brick and White Siding Home with Metal Roof, Ironwood
Tan Stone Home with Metal Roof, Barclay

don’t let a small problem become a large one

Immediate Repairs

Address any roof damage immediately so the problem doesn’t get worse. If the damage is in an isolated spot, simple repairs can fix the area. Contact a roofing professional to make sure the job is done safely.

go with an expert

Final Thoughts on Roof Replacement

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to residential roof replacement. From the initial inspection to the final showcase, roof replacement requires multiple steps. With a variety of materials and a range of styles to think about, working with a roofing contractor can help make the process easier.

Contact a roofing professional to find out if you need a new roof. Get a free quote from the roofing experts at Erie Home and learn what you can do to improve your home.

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

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