Roof Replacement – Get the Look You Want For Your North Carolina Home

The greatest cost in a North Carolina roof replacement can be labor. That said, the most variable cost in any roof replacement project lies in selecting the roofing material that suits your home, your climate, and your pocketbook. Remember, most roofing contractors offer materials that come with warranties.The labor involves removing existing shingles and repairing or restoring damaged wood on the subroof and around the eaves.

In cold climates, you may need to:

• Install an ice dam barrier, preventing melting ice from damaging shingles closest to the gutters.
• Lay down felt or asphalt paper
• Nail in tiles or shingles
• Install flashing wherever leaks occur along chimneys and vents
• Install the ridge vent

Do Your Roof Replacement Research

If this is your first roof replacement, you’ll need to learn how to buy roofing. The first step is to measure the total square footage of roofing to replace. If you know the square footage of your home, you already know you’ll need to buy materials that cover more than that. Consider the roof slope, and you should cost out additional materials to cover gables or ornamental roofing features.

Start pricing any roof replacement job by visiting a roofing showroom. Suppliers who sell roofing materials measure them by the “square,” with each unit calculated to cover 100 square feet of roofing. Asphalt shingles cost the least, wood costs more, and slate is even more costly. Metal roofs may cost the most, depending on materials and installation costs. You’ll want to research what material is best for you based on your climate, your budget and the overall look you are going for on your North Carolina home.

Now you know the scale of work and the materials cost. Get written bids from at least three roofers before signing up for the work.