Residential Roof Replacement
Roof replacement is one of the most important major home
repairs you will ever do. Let us make sure it’s done right.
Replacing the roof of your home is a big decision! Also, it’s a big investment. So there are a lot of important things to consider and decide before starting the job.
First of all, DON’T WAIT! If you have a damaged or leaking roof like the one in this picure, it is critical that you get it replaced as quickly as possible to stop or prevent any damage to the structure beneath it. Trust us, it will only get worse. If your roof has significant damage, we highly recommend that you contact reputable roofing contractors to get get free inspections and estimates as soon as possible.
If your home is insured and it includes coverage for roof damage, contact your insurance company immediately to find out your coverage and get them to take a look at it. This will determine what will be covered, and the costs they will reimburse for. That will probably be a big factor in some of the decisions you’ll make about the type of roof replacement job you will contract for. Our team includes an experienced insurance adjustor to help you through this process.
Maybe the most important thing to consider is the roofing company that you will use to do the job. There are many very reputable and trustworthy roofing contractors in business. There are also quite a few that are unprofessional and dishonest. Take the time to get inspections and estimates from roofing contractors that are local to your area, and have great references with a track record of happily satisfied customers. Of course, we at Westrock Roofers believe you should give us a try!
What roofing material should you use?
The first choice you’ll need to consider in your roof replacement project is what material you will use. Quite often it’s simply a matter of replacing the roofing material that was used previously. However, when it’s time to replace your roof, for whatever reason, it might be a good time to make some changes or upgrades.
Of course budget and insurance claims factor into the equation, but you still may have options. For example, if your roof was damaged in a storm, and you had been considering upgrading it to a metal roof, you may want to settle the insurance claim for cash (as opposed to direct replacement or value) and then pay the difference to put a beautiful new metal roof on your home that will last for decades. Or, you may just be replacing a damaged asphalt shingle roof, and need to make decisions about what grade or color of shingle to use.
Whatever your situation, check out your options with an experienced roofing professional who can make quality recommendations (hint: you can get a free inspection and estimate from us here).
The most common roofing materials for residential roofs here in the Central Texas area are asphalt shingles, metal, and ceramic tile.
Check out metal roof material choices on our Metal Roofing page here.
Roof Replacement Cost
Now it’s time for the BIG question that you want to ask; “How much is this going to cost”? While there are too many variables involved to give you a quick, accurate estimate without more information, there are considerations to think about to get started:
– The quality, color and warranty of different asphalt shingles
– The type and color of metal roofing material
– Any repairs to the roof decking that your roof may need
– Any extra work that you may want such as adding or replacing gutters
All of these and more can affect the final cost of of your roof replacement project. We recommend that you consult a reputable and experienced roofing company (like Westrock Roofers) to inspect your roof, deal with your insurance claim, discuss options, and get an accurate estimate for the type of roof that you want to end up with. Of course our estimates are always free, so click here to contact us today!
The Roof Replacement Process
While it’s not important to know all the details of a quality roof replacement project (that’s our job), it’s not a bad idea to have an idea of the process, how it works, what to expect from a quality roofer, and how long it will take. Here’s the basics:
1 – The existing roofing material will be removed from the roof decking. All roof material is removed, as well as any old or damaged flashing and drip edging. A quality roofing contractor will line the ground around the house with tarps to catch and remove all the material, and sweep the area with magnetic tools to pick up leftover nails and metal objects.
2 – Any needed repairs to the roof deck and sheathing will be made to create a solid base for the roof material
3 – A layer of new roofing paper is laid on the roof deck to create a moisture barrier between the sheathing and the roofing material. It is important that this step is done correctly by overlapping layers, to ensure that no moisture gets past the roof surface and the roof deck.
4 – Required drip edging and flashing is installed to seal edges, joints and protrusions (chimneys and vents) of the roof surface, diverting water and keeping moisture from getting under the roofing material.
5 – Depending on the type of roof being replaced, usually a ridge vent is installed along the peak of the roof, to allow air to circulate in and out of the attic space, to allow for cooling and moisture venting. As we know from living in Central Texas, attic ventilation is a must-have!
6 – A final cleanup of the entire roof area, as well as the ground all around the house, is done to make sure that no hazardous or sharp roofing materils are left.
In conclusion, replacing the entire roof of your home is a big job and should not be taken lightly! It is an expensive project, and must be done correctly to ensure that your biggest investment is protected for many years to come.
That’s why we recommend that you check out good quality roofing contractors from your local area with solid references and a track record of quality work.
We feel that our team at Westrock Roofers meets those qualifications and more, and we would be delighted to inspect your roof and provide advice, options and a quote to get your roof back in shape. Give us a call today or send us an estimate request here. We’d be proud to be your contractor!
Get started by requesting a free evaluation and estimate here: