 | Medium: Asphalt Single Roofs Run $2,300-$12,100 Installed for an Average-Sized Roof |
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| Also referred to as a composition roof, asphalt shingles are made of single or multiple sheets of either organic or fiberglass roofing felt that is saturated and coated with asphalt, then surfaced with granules of minerals such as slate or rock. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Do-it-yourself materials run around $680 -$3,700 for a typical one-story ranch-style home with a 1,700-2,100-square-foot, gently-sloping roof. Standard gray asphalt shingles in a three-tab rectangle are the least expensive; expect to pay more for higher-end colors and styles. One of the most important factors is weight; the thicker the asphalt tile, the longer it's expected to last and the more it will cost. RoofingChildsPlay.com provides an online calculator to get a rough estimate for different types of asphalt shingles.
- Having a roofing contractor remove (and dispose of) old roofing materials, then install asphalt shingles runs about $1 -$4 a square foot, or a total of $1,700 -$8,400 for a typical ranch-style home (1,700-2,100 square foot, gently sloping roof). Prices go up for colors, architectural styles, thicker-width shingles or a roof with a steep pitch and/or a lot of corners and angles. Improvenet.com provides an online calculator.
What should be included: | - Because of the slope, a roof generally has a larger square footage than the house it sits on -- a 1,500-square-foot home could have a 2,100-square-foot roof. Building materials are usually sold by the "square" -- enough to cover 100 square feet -- and it's customary to include an extra 10 percent for waste on a simple roof and 15 percent extra for a more complicated installation.
- Compared to other roofing materials, asphalt shingles are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and reasonably durable. To install asphalt shingles, a base is laid down, then the shingles are nailed, tarred or locked into place in an overlapping fashion. ThisOldHouse.com provides a how-to video for replacing an asphalt shingle roof.
- Higher priced asphalt shingles come in a wider range of shapes and colors, including "architectural" models designed to imitate the random shadows and patterns of slate, wood or ceramic tiles. Asphalt shingles made with organic roofing felt as a reinforcement material are tougher and stay more flexible in colder climates, but usually do not last as long and are not as fire retardant as those made with fiberglass reinforcement. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association hosts a photo gallery of asphalt shingle roofs.
- Asphalt shingles need to be properly installed for local conditions, and do better in cool climates. According to RoofHelp.com, the average lifespan for "20-year" asphalt shingles is about 14 years in Phoenix, Arizona; 19.5 years in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 20.8 years in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides tips for using asphalt shingle roofing in high-wind regions or coastal environments.
Additional costs: | - Roof rafters or trusses must support the weight of the roofing, which varies depending on the product. If the roof support system is rotted or otherwise damaged or if it needs reinforcing to support heavier roofing materials, repairs or remodeling can easily add $1,000 -$10,000 or more to the cost, depending on what's needed.
- If removing and disposing of the existing roofing material isn't included in an estimate, this can add another $3 -$5 a square foot or $510 -$1,100 for a basic ranch-style home -- and costs go higher depending on location and the difficulty of the removal project.
Shopping for an asphalt shingle roof: | - Get estimates from more than one company, and ask for (and check) references. If one quote includes repairs or upgrades to your roof structure, check if other estimates also include that work. The National Roofing Contractors Association provides a detailed guide for buying a new roof, as well asreferrals to contractors.
- A written contract should include a detailed outline of the work required and materials used, dates within which the project will be done, and a payment schedule.
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Article updated December 2008 |
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