A roof makes up a large percentage of your house's exterior, so it influences your home's curb appeal besides guarding your living space against the elements. If your roofing shingles have noticeable damage, including missing pieces or mold growth, you should consider a roof replacement to enhance your home's aesthetic.

To protect your home and increase its resale value, you can go a step further and re-roof the house. Instead of only applying a new layer of shingles over your existing roof, we can remove your old roofing and inspect the components underneath that may have deteriorated over time. This option ensures that your entire roof is durable and safe, preventing leaks and pest infestation from coming inside the house. Use this guide to discover what you need to know before you do a re-roof or a roof replacement.

How Much Does It Cost to Re-Roof a House?

Generally, a re-roof has a higher upfront price than a roof replacement because it takes more time and resources. However, the specific cost to re-roof a house depends on several factors.

1. Materials

Roofing comes in a variety of styles that offer a unique aesthetic to your home and withstand the harsh weather conditions your local area experiences. You can easily re-roof your house with the same type as your original roof, but since we'll be tearing off the old roof anyway, you can change materials to give your property a brand-new look. You'll also need to pay for replacement components for the rest of your roof, such as the flashing, soffit and fascia.

Below is a list of classic roofing materials we recommend that will give your roof the longest lifetime possible:

• Slate: Slate is a fine-grained crystalline rock and can last more than a century on your home when installed and maintained correctly. Homeowners enjoy this roofing material because of its distinctive appearance and low maintenance. Slate roofs can last anywhere from 75-100+ years when installed correctly.

• Clay tile: Clay is a classic roofing material that can complement any style of home. This durable, insulated substance can enhance your home's aesthetic and add value to your investment without the extra maintenance required of other materials. Clay tiles roofs can last well of 50 years with proper maintenance.

• Copper: As a high-end metal roofing material, copper is long-lasting, lightweight and energy-efficient. Copper roofs can withstand any climate, including homes in coastal or cold regions, because of their resistance to corrosion. When installed correctly, they can last up to 50 years or more.

• Thatch: Synthetic: Thatch is an eco-friendly material and can be used in many different aesthetics. It can be used to give your home a tropical, exotic feel, or be similar to the thatch roofs atop English Cottages, depending on what type of thatch you decide to use. Synthetic thatch is a low-maintenance, weather-resistant alternative to the authentic material.

2. Location of Home

Where you live can affect how much you pay for a re-roofing project, because of the:

• Cost of living: If you live in an area where items tend to be costly, you can expect to pay a little extra money on your re-roofing project.

• Availability of materials: Depending on the aesthetic you want for your house, your re-roof may have a higher cost if you need to ship supplies to your home from another part of the world.

• Accessibility of your roof: If your roof is hard to reach or an odd shape, the contractor may add a fee to offset the cost of using specialized equipment or hiring additional staff for the project.

• Local weather conditions and code: Some materials may need to be pre-treated if your home needs extra resistance to excess humidity or heavy snow, or if your local code requires Class A materials.

3. Roof Dimensions

If you have an intricate roof, you can expect to pay a higher price. The average homeowner has a low-slope, flat or steep-slope roof, but if you have a luxurious, high-end house, you may have multiple roofs on your property.

The pitch is the slope of your roof, and it determines how accessible this part of your home is to contractors. If you have a high-pitched roof or one that's difficult to access, the roofing contractor will have to have additional safety equipment on hand to be steady as they walk on your property.

How You Can Determine If You Need a Re-Roof vs. Roof Replacement

Even though you can simply replace the outer roofing material on your property to enhance its visual appeal, it might be better to replace your whole roof, including the components underneath the surface. You can figure out whether you should get a re-roof or a roof replacement by inspecting the top of your house, especially after a storm or years of neglect. As you check your home, look for excess damage, such as ripped shingles or mold buildup.

You can get a standard roof replacement if:

• You just had your roof recently replaced: If you replaced your roof in the last few years, but a harsh storm damaged some of your shingles, consider replacing your roof's shingles. The foundation is most likely still in good shape, so you can safely fix the few shingles that have fallen off or developed residue.

• It's in good condition, but it's old: You should replace your roofing if you don't know the last time your property got a new roof, but it's in good shape. While there might not be any noticeable damage, you could extend your roof's life by applying a new layer of shingles instead of ripping up your old roofing foundation.

• You're on a limited budget: A roof replacement is more affordable than re-roofing because you don't have to change any other components of the top of your house. This option works well if you're selling your home, and you want to update the look of your property at a fraction of the cost.

• You want to change your property's design: If you know that your roof's underlayment is sturdy, but you want to improve the aesthetic of your home, you can replace your roofing shingles with an updated color or material.

On the other hand, you would need to re-roof your whole property if:

• You're not sure about the foundation: With a full re-roofing, the contractor updates the roof's underlayment and the shingles. If you recently bought your house and you don't know the condition of the roof's footing, consider replacing it when you update your roofing.

• You notice rot or sagging on or under your shingles: If you have extensive damage anywhere on your roof, it's better to replace the whole roof instead of covering up the problem.

Contact Huber & Associates for an Estimate on Re-Roofing Your Home

Our professionals at Huber & Associates specialize in custom re-roofing services to provide a brand-new roof for your property. We also offer roof restoration services if you need to repair a damaged section of your roof. If you live in one of the areas we serve, we'll inspect your roof and present you with options for enhancing your house's aesthetic and protection. Fill out a contact form online or call 386-487-1040.