How Much Does A New Roof Cost?

Roofing. Your first line of defense, your shield against the elements, your family’s primary protector. There’s no doubt that roofing is an essential component to your home. Beyond physically protected a household, roofing also supports temperature regulation (preserving heat in the winter, allowing hot air to escape in the summer), creates a watertight seal against storms, and facilitates water drainage simply based on its architectural pitch. Amazing!

Though it’s a necessity, roofing can also be beautiful, too. The variety of materials available on the market today make it easy to customize your roof according to your style. Whether you’re shopping for a classic Craftsman bungalow, a lakeside tiny home, or a mountaintop cabin, the choices for roofing are endless.

But how much does a new roof actually cost? There are many factors that determine the price: size of the home, material choice, and so on. We’ll walk through the most common roofing materials and discuss variables below!

MATERIALS: There are three main categories for roofing materials: asphalt shingles, metal, and specialty. Asphalt shingles are the most predominant roofing material in the US, with 75% of US homes featuring this versatile material. Three-tab shingles are the lowest-priced roofing material; often used on rental homes or economy housing, this type of shingle also has a shorter lifespan than other roofing materials.

The highest-priced materials – like slate, ceramic tile, and cedar shake – all have their own price ranges, as well. Though these materials come with a higher initial investment, their lifetime maintenance costs are much lower than asphalt shingles, and the overall lifespan far outweighs the upfront costs.

Metal has a range of options available for roofing. Copper, steel, aluminum, and zinc are all common metal types for roofing systems. Each metal has its own unique properties that can react differently to certain environments; read more about metal interactions here. Overall, metal has an excellent lifespan, is extremely durable in all types of weather, and with skilled installation can provide unparalleled protection from high-force winds and storm systems. Zinc and copper are both on the upper end of the scale (in terms of price); aluminum is typically the lowest-cost metal.

INSURANCE: If your current roof is damaged – whether from a hailstorm, a natural disaster, or some other catastrophe – your homeowner’s insurance may cover roof replacement. It all depends on the policy, the type of damage incurred, and your deductible, but overall, having homeowner’s insurance can make a significant difference in out-of-pocket costs for a roof.

ARCHITECTURE: The shape and pitch of your home (how steep the roof is) determine how much roofing material you’ll have to buy – and how difficult the installation is. Roof replacement costs are much lower for a two-bedroom home with a simple gabled roof than they are for a cross-hipped complex roof, for example (read more about common residential roof styles here and here).

Overall, understanding the importance of high-quality roofing will help inform your choices when considering a roof replacement. From selecting the material, navigating insurance claims, and installing best-in-class roofing systems, Guy Roofing has you covered!