Asphalt Shingle Roof:

Whether you are getting a new roof altogether or just replacing one that has had its time, you have to decide on what type of roofing material you want to use. Asphalt shingles are very popular amongst homeowners as they are one of the cheaper choices on the market. I currently have a wood shingle roof and after 18+ years of rain, wind, and storms in the Pacific Northwest we are going to replace it. I grew up in California where roof life was closer to 25 years so I wasn't all that happy to hear that my roof needed replacing from a local contractor. One thing I have done over the years is get my roof treated (power washed and chemically treated) every 5 years to keep things like moss from growing on it and destroying the shingles. A few of my neighbors had recently done their roofs and I so consulted with them on pricing and materials.

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Some roofs can be installed by homeowners. My father did our roof when I was a kid and he had several friends come in and help. Our roof was easy to access (single story home) with very little pitch. We did all the grunt work of removing the wooden shingles and throwing them in a rented dumpster. I remember the huge truckload of asphalt shingles that got delivered and then elevated on a hydraulic lift up to the roof line. The whole project took 3 days. Asphalt shingle installation isn't the most complicated process but it's nice to have at least 1 other person with some experience if you are going to take on this project yourself. We found lots of videos that are informative and show just how to lay down the asphalt shingle and nail it in. We found the Bob Vila video to be the best of the bunch. You can View it here. There are 2 types of asphalt shingles - glass fiber/fiberglass and organic. Asphalt shingles are also commonly called a composition roof. The shingles are coated or saturated with asphalt which makes them waterproof. The fiberglass asphalt shingles are more fire resistant than the organic variety. How durable are asphalt shingles? - You will find them ranging from 20 to 50 years and we have also seen some that offer a lifetime warranty. If you live in a cooler climate, then consider the asphalt shingles as they will do better in the cold. Roof asphalt shingles are noted to last longer if there is proper attic ventilation. Make sure there is ample roof ventilation so you get the most life from your shingles. The average roof can be installed in 3 to 5 days - depending on if additional work is needed on the roof rafters or trusses. Heavier roofing materials often require reinforcement of the roof support system.

How Much Does an Asphalt Shingle Roof Cost?:

The real question for many homeowners is - How much will a new roof cost? If you are considering the asphalt shingles for your roof, then you are lucky since they are less expensive than wood, slate, tile, or metal roofs. Asphalt Shingles Prices - Our roof ended up being about $15K. The estimate for wood shingles was about $21K. There were other composites that we got quoted for $11,000 but we opted for an upgraded composite that was rated much higher. If you are the DIY type, then you could get away with materials for about $2500 to $3500 - for a typical 1800 square foot roof. If saving money is essential, go with the gray asphalt shingles offered in a 3-tab rectangle. Other styles or higher end colors are offered, but they cost more. The weight of the asphalt shingle will also be a factor in price. The heavier the shingle, the more costly. Our house is 3300 square feet and our roof measured out at 3800 square feet. Roofing contractors say that a 1500 square foot house may have up to 2000 square foot of roof space or more. You can save a few dollars by doing the demolition work yourself. If you remove and dispose of the existing roof that should save at least $1000. Check out a roofing cost estimator here. Enter in your ZIP code, how many stories the house is, approximate square footage, garage size, roof type, roof pitch, and roofing material. You'll get a pretty decent estimate on what your asphalt shingle roof will cost.

Asphalt Shingle Reviews:

Putting a new roof on your house is probably the most expensive home improvement project you can take on. Trying to find the best product to use is perfectly natural and definitely a good idea. You can read asphalt shingle reviews online - postings in forums from homeowners who have done the exact same thing to their roofs. The Diychatroom.com has a forum for roofing. Good resource, some posts are ads in disguise, but overall worth a look. Bob Vila has entire section dedicated to roofing your house, types of asphalt shingles, installers, and more. Consumer Reports rated asphalt shingles and put Atlas StormMaster Slate near the top of the rankings for three tab shingles and Owens Corning Berkshire Collection for the laminated shingles. Laminated shingles will cost you almost double in some cases. They based their findings on things like strength, weight, and how they held up to weathering and wind. Finding a reliable contractor or roofing company is perhaps the hardest choice. Ask neighbors, check with your city and see if they recommend any roofers, and even professional home builders.

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