Four Average costs of roof repair/replacement

The roof is an essential part of your house, and its quality is of the highest importance. Depending on the quality and its properties, it protects your house from moisture, leakage, provides insulation, to higher or lesser extent. A quality roof does not necessarily entail an expensive roof. It is important to know that the price of the roof varies from contractor to contractor, as well as from location to location, according to The Cool Roofing company, local roofers from Atlanta, GA. It also depends on the size of the roof and on what you are looking for in one.

You can get an estimate from different contractors before you start working on replacing or repairing your roof, and then choose the best one for your needs. From the cheaper ones to more costly ones, here are some of the most common roof materials, their characteristics, and average costs.

Source: Jim Bergstrom, Flickr

1. Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingle roofing is in general much less expensive than metal roofing. Asphalt shingles are the most widely used material across the United States. They are very easy to install and come in many different colors. On the other hand, asphalt roofs are less durable, and their longevity is shorter. They would probably need to be replaced or repaired two to four times during their lifespan. Asphalt roofs also do not provide the best quality insulation that other materials offer. So it is important to calculate this into your predictions and decide what is more profitable in the long run. Asphalt shingles last for approximately 15-30 years, and they do not provide the best insulation during high temperatures.

The price for asphalt shingles can be anywhere from 90$ to $200 per roofing square (a roofing square equals 100 square feet). But that is only the cost of the material. The price of the labor also has to be included in the calculations. The most common pricing structure with roofing contractors is 40% materials and 60% labor and installation process. So the total average price would be from around $200 to $500.

2. Metal Roof

Metal roofs are a better alternative to asphalt shingles when it comes to longevity and energy-efficiency. With the popularity of sustainable and energy-efficient living, the popularity of metal roofs has also grown. They are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof and therefore reduce the energy consumption and cost. They are lighter, very durable and have a long warranty of 50+ years.

The installation process has to be very precise and accurately measured, it demands special skills and equipment, and the installation takes two to three times longer than with asphalt shingles. All of this makes metal roofs more expensive. But when it comes to quality, it is among the best.

Metal roofs can come in steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc. Steel is the most affordable among them, while copper and zinc are premium quality metal materials for roofs with a price to match their quality. They cost on average between $900 and $1400, so it is safe to say that they are not very widely used.

Materials for the metal roof will cost in average from $300 to $425 per square, which is the price range for the most commonly used steel and aluminum shingles. Adding the labor and installation price, the roof would cost you on average $750-$1000 per roofing square.

3. Slate

Slate roofs are also among the most durable and high-quality roofs. They are said to be unmatched in their beauty and durability. That is probably why their prices are among the highest. The installation of slates is also a precise and sensitive process because they are not easy to handle and are very brittle, so the price is proportionally higher.

They are very low-maintenance, durable, and can withstand any weather conditions. They are waterproof and completely non-combustible. It is a sustainable roof. Considering their warranty they have a significantly lower impact on the environment and can be recycled.

As already stated, the main disadvantage with slate is its cost. Both the material and the more complex installation can be fairly expensive. The price for the material ranges from $500 to $800, and with the installation process and the labor it goes up to $1000-$2000 per square.

4. Wood Shakes

Wood shakes have a shorter lifespan than other materials, with a warranty of around 25 years. They are made of natural materials, which makes them good for the environment and sustainable. They are also durable and can withstand unfavorable weather conditions, but have to be regularly and frequently maintained.

The average price is around $150 to $350 for materials, and together with the installation process, it can amount to around $600-$900 per roofing square.

Tile roofing

Today, tiles are made out of two most commonly used materials – clay and concrete. The prices of clay and concrete tiles are similar – they are both expensive, with concrete being a little less expensive but also a little less durable. They are among the most expensive materials for roofs. They are extremely durable with very long warranties – the lifespan of clay tiles is from 75 to 100 years, and concrete tiles can last for up to 50 years. They are non-combustible and the concrete ones are even energy-efficient.

The price will depend on the type and thickness of tiles, its grade, color, and weight. The average cost of the tiles is from $1200 to $2500 per roofing square. Since concrete tiles are a little less expensive they would be in the lower range of these prices.

Composite Shingle

Composite or synthetic shingles that imitate wood shakes or shingles are in a way a compromise when choosing between asphalt shingles and slate or shake. They have the beauty and quality of slate but at a lower cost. They also have a longer warranty than asphalt shingles and wood shakes – for more than 50 years – which is up to two or three times longer. These shingles are polymer-based, which means they are made of plastic and rubber. They are light, eco-friendly, recyclable, and resistant to mold, fungus, and rot.

The average price for a composite shingle is between $550 and $950 per roofing square, which places them somewhere between slate and asphalt shingles.