Is there sunlight peeking through your attic, or does your roof have several droopy spots? These are telltale signs that you need a roof replacement. Suppose your roof has these signs and needs replacing. How long will the roof installation take?
A roof replacement takes between one to three days. The duration might vary depending on the damage extent, weather, season, and materials used. Never rush a roof replacement project, as it’s a recipe for more harm than good.
This post discusses the typical roof replacement timeframe. We’ve also broken down the roof replacement process and explained factors that may extend the duration required to complete this procedure.
How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof?
The usual timeframe for a roof replacement is around one to three days. The roof of a home covering about 1,200 square feet will take a day to replace. However, replacing a more than 3,000 square feet roof requires three to five days.
The type of roof material determines the duration it takes to replace it. Below is a breakdown of the period a roofing company takes to replace different roof materials:
- Wood shake roofs: These roofs are mostly made of cedar and take around three to four days to replace. This roofing material lasts thirty to forty years if well installed.
- Concrete tiles: Replacing concrete tiles takes between eight and nine days. Although it’s time-consuming, this material lasts more than a hundred years. These roofs are fire and weather-resistant.
- Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing materials and take about one to three days to replace. Asphalt shingles can last about fifty years if installed properly.
- Steel sheets: Replacing steel sheet roofing will take three to four days. Aside from their impressive longevity of seventy years, this material also discourages mold growth.
- Slate roofs: Slate roof installation period is between six to seven days. Slate roofs last more than a hundred years, as they are made of slabs resistant to mold.
- Synthetic slate roofs: Synthetic slate roofs have installation periods of three to five days.
A severely damaged roof requires more shingle replacement, taking more time. The contractors may extend the project timeframe if they notice other damages like rotten insulation or decking.
What Steps Are Involved in a Roof Replacement?
Adhering to proper roof replacement procedures is essential for excellent results. Herein are the steps to take when replacing your roof.
Find a Good Contractor
A poorly skilled contractor will not only do shabby work but also cause you to spend much more on frequent repairs. Find a highly qualified roofer for a roof replacement that withstands all weather. A good contractor has great reviews. If many people are rooting for a roofer, they are highly likely reliable.
The right contractor communicates fluently. When inquiring about their services, a good roofer will quickly describe them in detail. A delayed response indicates that their services are tacky. Professional roofers, with licenses and insurance, are safer to work with. An unprofessional contractor may not understand the laws and stipulations of roof replacement, which may cost you a lot in the long run.
Select the Roofing Material
Take time researching roofing materials that suit your needs and fit your budget. Asphalt shingles are the best option if you’re looking for a widely available roofing material. Metal roofing is also a common material because of its high fire resistance and longevity. Keep in mind that metal roofing is more expensive as its installation requires specialization.
Wood shakes are the best if you live in places that aren’t prone to wildfires. If aesthetics bring you joy, slate roofs are ideal for you. Although pricey, these roofing materials will take your home’s appearance to the next level.
Remove the Roof
Before removing the roof, the contractors must put some measures into place. The roofers should use tarps to cover the regions around your home’s base, like plants and shrubs. Contractors should also use plywood to protect your windows, doors, and air conditioners.
The contractors will then proceed to remove the shingles. This process may involve using tear-off forks or notched shovels.
Roof Inspection
Deck or roof inspection is vital as the new roof requires a solid and safe base. The roofer must replace a rotten and soft deck before placing a new roof. Rotten roofs indicate excess moisture, which may damage the new roof. Insist on a thorough inspection to prevent accidents and waste of new roofing material.
Prepare the Roof Surface
Preparing the roof surface involves ridge edge installation and underlayment replacement. In ridge edge installation, you place an L-shaped piece of metal at the roof’s edges. This metal redirects water into the gutter. Underlayment installation involves placing a water-resistant material between the decking and the new roof. This material prevents rainwater from destroying the deck.
Install the New Roof
The last roof installation stage is placing the new roofing material on the prepared deck. This is one of the key factors you need to consider when asking the question, “How long does it take to replace a roof?” The contractors take varying durations to apply different roofing materials. The period can range between one to nine days.
Installing delicate materials like slate will take a long time. The roofers require enough time when placing each slate to prevent cracking or breaking.
After complete installation, the contractors clean up the mess. Part of the roofer’s crew will carefully collect all the damaged shingles, nails, and debris lying around your house.
What Factors Can Cause a Roof Replacement to Take Longer Than Expected?
Besides roof material, several factors could make the roof replacement process long and excruciating. Below are some of these factors.
Cold Weather
Cold weather lengthens the roof replacement process. Most roofing materials, like asphalt shingles which require sticking, may take a long time to do so when it’s raining or snowing. Extra caution, which lengthens the duration, is vital in such conditions.
Snowy and wet roofs are dangerous for contractors. Roofers may easily slide and hurt themselves when working on a wet deck.
Season
The time of the year you choose to replace your roof determines the procedure’s duration. Summer has longer days, meaning roofers will spend about fifteen hours daily replacing your roof. In the end, the overall replacement period is highly reduced.
Aside from being hazardous, replacing roofs during winter takes a prolonged period as roofers spend less time outside.
Roof Complexity
Roofs with high peaks, valleys, and heaps take longer to replace. This is because the contractors need more caution to work on steep, dangerous roofs. The roofers also need to fix valleys and other inconsistencies before replacing the roof, which extends the time.
Replace Your Roof With Efficient and Reliable Contractors
So, how long does it take to replace a roof? It can take anywhere between one to seven days. Although roof replacement may take a while, this process increases the value of your home and gives it a wonderful makeover. Follow the roof installation tips in this post for a fuss-free process. Contact A to Z Construction today to speak with an expert about your roof replacement project.
