| robrecht |
Hi, everyone.
Our 30-year-old house needs a new roof! But I don't know nothin' 'bout roofing. 30-year shingles, 50-year shingles, newer materials, etc. Who knows about roofs? It's your basic 4 bedroom, 21/2 bath house, 4-car garages, type of house. All advice welcome.
Thanks, Robrecht
PS: Oops, should have posted in "General Off Topic" rather than in "General Discussions" forum. |
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| cwa107 |
My advice would be to ask for "archetectural" shingles instead of standard asphalt shingles. This is what they're putting on new houses these days and it gives the roof a little more dimension. The cost is about the same either way.
Aside from that, shop around as labor costs can vary widely - everyone from independents who do roofing in their spare time to larger contractors are in the game. It's really not that complicated of a job once you get started and get the material up onto the roof.
Also, the summer is the best time to do a new roof here in the snowbelt. This is the case because you need the warmth of the sun to cause the new shingles to adhere to themselves as they have a tar strip underneath that completes the seal. |
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| robrecht |
Thanks, cwa. Yes, we will be having the work done in the next few weeks. I think we're going to use the roofer that our next door neighbor used, who comes highly recommended. Just starting to look at the materials he left with the wife before I call him to ask questions, etc.
There's something about the longer lasting shingles also being more wind resistant, which can be a problem in our area. We're surrounded by lots of farms with open land and the wind can be very strong, with shingles occasionally coming off roofs in the area. |
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| andyschneider |
We live in a pretty windy area here in NH, and get a lot of snow and ice on the roof during the winter. AFter 20 years, we had our roof redone during a major renovation 5 years ago. We used Timberline 40 architecural shingles by GAF (not sure if it's the same name, but that's what we used back in '01) that have some crazy 100+mph wind rating - real thick and heavy and look great. We also had the Grace ice shield installed 6' up from the eaves, and had a ridge vent cut into the entire roof (just had gable vents originally). Lots of color choices, and it was only slightly more expensive than normal shingles. Installation is the key, however, so finding a good roofer with references is important. Also, in our case we had the old roof stripped completely to the decking so it layed nice and flat....
andy |
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| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
PS: Oops, should have posted in "General Off Topic" rather than in "General Discussions" forum.
I can do that!!! |
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| cwa107 |
quote:
Originally posted by andyschneider
We live in a pretty windy area here in NH, and get a lot of snow and ice on the roof during the winter. AFter 20 years, we had our roof redone during a major renovation 5 years ago. We used Timberline 40 architecural shingles by GAF (not sure if it's the same name, but that's what we used back in '01) that have some crazy 100+mph wind rating - real thick and heavy and look great. We also had the Grace ice shield installed 6' up from the eaves, and had a ridge vent cut into the entire roof (just had gable vents originally). Lots of color choices, and it was only slightly more expensive than normal shingles. Installation is the key, however, so finding a good roofer with references is important. Also, in our case we had the old roof stripped completely to the decking so it layed nice and flat....
andy
That's it - that's the brand I was thinking of - we also had GAF shingles on my last home. We never did lose any tabs/shingles, even when our neighbors were repairing/replacing theirs.
I don't think we're quite as rural as you, but there have been a number of storms that our last house weathered quite well with those shingles. |
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| jay |
When I replaced the roof on my townhouse 2 years ago, I got 4 quotes, and they were all over the map. They ranged from $2250 plus $75 a sheet for every sheet of plywood replaced all the way up to $4400.
I talked with a friend who's in the building trade, and he suggested going with the lowest quote, since every company would use the same illegals to do the work anyway.
Three of the companies met me at the house, and did the quote after looking things over. The other company just sent someone out, and sent me a quote in the mail. They were the one company that priced everything out separately, i.e. shingles, ridge vent, shingled ridge vent, plywood per sheet, etc. They were the most professional of the bunch, provided references, and have been in business here almost 30 years.
They could have been the lowest or the highest, so I decided to go with them. It turns out that they replaced one sheet of plywood, did a shingled ridge vent, and 30 year GAF shingles, and appear to have done an excellent job. It ended up costing me just under $2500, well below the other 3 estimates.
Since I'm in a townhouse in an association, I was required to replace the shingles with the same or better quality, and match the existing appearance. The shingles they put on are a perfect match color-wise. My only complaints with their work is that in tossing stuff off the roof, a chunk of an azalea bush was hit, leaving a gap that has since filled in; they must have spilled gas or something in the back yard, because I ended up with a dead spot that's since greened up and filled in; and even to this day I still find staples in the yard or driveway from the removal of the old roof, even though they rolled the area with a magnetic roller to pick up that stuff.
Good luck! |
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| rocky |
Things to do
1: Always have the old roof stripped off
2: Ensure contractor uses ice shield, preferably the sticky type not tar paper. I'd do that on the entire roof not just the bottom few feet.
3: This is a great opportunity to replace gutters with the type that don't need cleaning out once or as in my case twice a year.... dang trees
4: Replace any rotten wood and damaged joints etc or whatever that is called between two sections is called eg House to lower garage
5: Adding ventilation ridge vent
6: Don't be surprised if job only takes a day. The more illegals they use the quicker it is.
7: They should complete a clean up and manage all debris to avoid nails etc being left behind in the yard for kids to step on.
8: Always get evidence of insurance including Workers Compensation. In NJ unlike NY, Illegals can collect future lost wages if they fall off the roof...
Rocky |
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| robrecht |
Thanks, everyone, for all the tips. I should be talking to the roofer guy that my wife wants to use in the next couple of days.
Here's a problem. This guy comes highly recommended, but shortly after he did the neighbor's roof we had a big windy storm and a few new shingles came off. Doesn't sound like a good sign, does it? The neighbor still recommends him very highly. He says that this can happen occasionally before a new roof fully sets in the hot summer sun, which is why roofs should only be done in the summer.
How skeptical should I be about this? |
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| rocky |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Thanks, everyone, for all the tips. I should be talking to the roofer guy that my wife wants to use in the next couple of days.
Here's a problem. This guy comes highly recommended, but shortly after he did the neighbor's roof we had a big windy storm and a few new shingles came off. Doesn't sound like a good sign, does it? The neighbor still recommends him very highly. He says that this can happen occasionally before a new roof fully sets in the hot summer sun, which is why roofs should only be done in the summer.
How skeptical should I be about this?
Shingles are held by nails and the tar between the shingles. Nothing shoulds come off. You are right to be skeptical. I would keep looking. Builders will do anything including using smaller than necessary nails, too few nails etc anything to save a buck
BTW the word that totally left me earlier was flashing. |
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| cwa107 |
quote:
Originally posted by rocky
Shingles are held by nails and the tar between the shingles. Nothing shoulds come off. You are right to be skeptical. I would keep looking. Builders will do anything including using smaller than necessary nails, too few nails etc anything to save a buck
BTW the word that totally left me earlier was flashing.
In my experience this is completely normal - even with fully cured roofing materials. If the wind hits right, it can and will rip a shingle and it's corresponding nails right off. It happens, it's normal - and especially on a new roof where the tar hasn't fully cured. There is no special magic involved in installing shingles. They go on one at a time until the job is done. |
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| andyschneider |
The lifting of shingles typically starts if the curing/setting of the adhesive that holds the tabs in place hasn't occurred. This can happen if the roof is done during colder months, or if the winds come within a week or so after the roof is on. Ideally, you have a roof put on and have several good, warm sunny days to cure the adhesive under the tabs.
andy |
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| waynerd |
Just to re-iterate what others have said. I had my roof re-done almost 2 years ago. My 12 year old shingles were cracking and curling due to a manufacturing problem......that would have been covered by the warranty if I had been the original owner:3:
1. Tear-off the old roof. The old roof will continue to have the same old problems, along with decreasing the life of the new shingles.
2. Get in writing that the contractor is to protect all landscaping and replace any damaged plants. My contractor protected my shrubs, but still destroyed 2 and mangled another. They also smashed 5 of my low-voltage lights along the front walk. He just deducted the replacement cost from my bill.
3. Ice and water shield installed at least along all edges and valleys. Install new flashings as well. Also make sure they install tar paper over the whole roof. I watched them install a roof a few weeks ago with shingles right over the plywood. :rolleyes:
4. 30 year architectural shingles should be sufficient, unless you like the deeper profile of the 40 or 50 year. Stick with large manufacturers like GAF, Certainteed, Timberline.
5. Ridge vent- will give you better ventilation in the roof to help extend the life of the shingles, as well as prevent icing in the winter.
Lifting off of a couple of shingles would be considered normal, especially if it was within a few weeks of installation. The contractor should cover replacement in such a case as well. Keep a bundle for just such an event. |
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| stlblues |
As a contractor, some of the best quality shingles I've used are Tamco. 30yr should be sufficent.
I will say this though, I NEVER use illegals, I will not use subs that use illegals, if you hire someone that does, YOU are part of the problem. If illegals doen't have employment opportunities, they won't be crossing our boarders. Illiegal imigration is a problem for America, try to do your part, don't use servicres or buy products from businesses that use illegals.
Its up to us, the gov't isn't going to do anything. |
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