The Cost to Replace Shingles: A Homeowner's Guide

Many factors affect the cost of replacing shingles, and costs can range between $5,000 to $12,000 per job. The price fluctuates depending on your location, the type of shingles you want, and the size of your home.

This guide to the cost of replacing shingles will specifically discuss how the size of your roof and the type of shingles can vastly affect roofing costs.

How Does Size Affect Roof Cost?

Roof size affects roofing pricing in two significant ways: Labor and materials.

Labor

Labor is probably around 60% of the entire cost of a new roof, and it's no wonder why. Roofing is demanding physical work.

The amount of labor needed will depend on the size of your roof. More extensive roofs require more time and effort.

Part of labor costs also involves the steepness of your roof. If you have a flat roof, then labor won't cost as much because of the ease of maneuverability. If your roof pitch is steep, labor costs may increase because of the dangers and extra equipment needed to do the roofing safely.

Materials

Materials are the other essential part of the roofing cost. The bigger the roof, the more materials will be required. The price of roofing materials is usually expressed in square feet.

The material you choose to cover your roof with will also affect the total price of the roofing. As mentioned before, the cost of shingles is by square feet, and different types of shingles have different prices per square foot.

Different Types of Shingles

Here are the most common types of shingles, their pros and cons, and their average prices.

ASPHALT SHINGLE

Asphalt is the most common shingle type used for roofing homes because it's the most inexpensive ($3.50 to $5 per square foot) with a lifespan of 10 to 30 years, depending on the style. You can choose from a wide range of colors and thicknesses for each shingle.

Asphalt shingles are best for homes in the Northwest and Northeast because of their waterproof nature. The biggest detractors for this type of shingle are that they're vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and have the shortest lifespan of all roofing materials.

COMPOSITE SHINGLE

Composite shingles are suitable for houses all over the country but run expensive ($4 or more per square foot). The lifespan of composite shingles is around 20 to 50 years.

WOOD SHINGLE

Wood shingles are made from softwoods like pine, cedar, or spruce. This type of shingle is popular for aesthetics but requires much upkeep to maintain its appearance. Cost-wise, wood shingles are expensive ($4.50 to $9 per square foot), and the lifespan depends on the type of wood used.

CLAY SHINGLE

Clay shingles are durable and fireproof but can run high in price ($7 to $10 per square foot). These shingles usually come with a 50-year warranty.

METAL SHINGLE

Metal roof shingles are about $3 per square foot. Be aware that it's louder when things hit a metal roof than it is with other materials.

SLATE SHINGLE

Slate is a higher-end material for shingles and is priced as such ($16 or more per square foot). These shingles are durable and can withstand high winds and extreme temperatures. Slate also has the longest lifespan out of all the shingle materials listed here, with an average of 100 years.

Can You Shingle Your Own Roof?

Technically yes, but there are many things you must consider. Safety, physical needs, and the tools required for roofing are significant factors.

You may need a building permit if you're considering doing your roof yourself. Be sure to check into financing your project before you start, too. Another thing to consider is that your home insurance may not cover your roof if not done by professionals.

With all that in mind, it would be nice to not need to replace your shingles, right? Applying RoofMaxx to your shingles will significantly extend and improve the life of your roof. Contact us today and save yourself money and time by choosing to rejuvenate your roof rather than dealing with the cost of replacing shingles completely.