In this article, we’ll discuss some of the factors that affect the cost, as well as what you can expect from the process itself.
How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Oregon?
The average price of a roof in Oregon and Washington on the median home is between $8,000 and $20,000 dollars. Materials, workmanship, and warranty are the big differentiators in cost and quality and could increase this range. The biggest factors affecting the price of a new roof in Portland and Vancouver are the size of your roof and quality of your materials.
A sturdy, well-built, and well-maintained roof can last for decades. During that time, it will be subject to a nearly constant barrage of harsh weather. Wind, rain, snow, and the ultraviolet radiation of the sun will all take a toll on the roof, and while keeping up with repairs can go a long way toward extending its life span, eventually, it will need to be replaced.
Needless to say, this sounds like an expensive prospect. Not only will it require a large amount of materials to complete, but it will also necessitate many hours of labor from professional roofing contractors. Every roof is different, however. The new roof cost for Oregon homes will not be the same as flattop roofs in Arizona.
Read on to learn more about how the cost of a new roof is determined.
The Parts of a Roof (And How They Break Down)
The roof on your home is a complex integration of several equally important elements. Each of these elements serves a specific purpose, and each one is vulnerable to different forms of damage or decay. If enough of the parts of your roof fail at the same time, you will need a new roof.
Most rooftops are covered in shingles, which are what lend the roof its aesthetic appearance, as well as serve as the first line of defense against intrusive elements (such as rainwater). Shingles are generally constructed from asphalt, which is inexpensive and highly water resistant. In Oregon, composition shingles, made from layers of fiberglass and asphalt, are most common, as they provide excellent protection against the variable climate. Roofs may also be constructed from slate, metal, or other materials. Over time, the shingles on a rooftop may be lost due to regular wear and tear, or they may be torn off by heavy winds.
Beneath the shingles is the element of the roof known as the underlayment. This is made from felt, or a synthetic material, and serves as an extra layer of protection from the elements. Eventually, the underlayment of a roof will also wear out and begin to allow water to get through.
The shingles and underlayment serve as coverings for the wooden framework of the roof. Beneath the underlayment is the wood decking; beneath that are the rafters, wooden beams that give the roof its shape. While wood is strong and resistant to the elements to a degree, if water seeps into this part of the roof, it can encourage the growth of fungus and lead to decay.
When to Replace Your Roof
A professional roofer can repair most of the individual elements of your roof fairly quickly and easily. As long as any problems are addressed quickly, the risk of them escalating into more severe issues is lessened. However, if a roof is not regularly maintained, minor problems can eventually build up, necessitating a replacement of the roof. Even a well-maintained roof won’t last forever, and it’s possible that a roof is simply too old to be effectively repaired.
If a roof is more than 20 years old, it’s likely to require replacement; this is especially true if maintenance has been sparse in that time. You may also need to replace a roof that has developed a severe leak. Signs of this can often be seen in the attic, where black streaks and spots will show up in areas where water has leaked in and encouraged the growth of mold.
A roof that is in imminent danger of collapse will sometimes show outward signs. For example, if the roof has begun to sag, it’s likely that the support beams and decking have weakened and are no longer strong enough to support the roof. Peeling or curling shingles can also be a sign that the roof has reached the end of its useful life.
Estimating the Cost of a Roof Repair
There is no “one-size-fits-all” estimate for the cost of repairing a roof. Every home is different, every roof is different, and every roof replacement job is different. There are, however, several factors that can affect the final price tag.
Generally, you can expect to pay more if your roof makes use of premium materials. For example, if your home has slate shingles instead of composition, you can expect a roof replacement to be more expensive.
Your geographical location may have an effect too. For example, the new roof cost for Oregon may require plywood sheeting. Many homeowners in the Portland and Vancouver area have skip sheeting under their old roofs. While this worked for cedar roofs, the installation of composition necessitates the installation of plywood to support the composition roofing. This can lead to an increased price due to the need for more parts and labor.
Any feature of your roof that creates extra challenges for a roofer will also probably increase the cost of roof replacement. Labor is a large part of the final price tag; a more difficult job is also a more expensive job. For example, a roof that is higher, and therefore harder for a contractor to access, will be more expensive to repair simply because more labor hours will be needed to transport materials from the ground level to the rooftop and back. A more complex roof, such as one with many intersecting hips, valleys, and dormers, will also be more expensive to repair as a consequence of the fact that your roofer will have to spend more time working on it.
According to Fixr.com, the average cost for a roof replacement in Oregon is around $11,500. However, there is no way to be certain if this will accurately reflect your roof replacement cost until you get a quote from a professional contractor.
The Best Time for a Roof Replacement
It’s worth noting that the cost of replacing a roof can change throughout the year. As with most industries, there is a busy season and an off-season in roofing. Summer is the busiest time for professional roofers, and the increased demand for their services has a tendency to drive prices up. That’s why it’s often a good idea to have your roof replaced in the off-season. Of course, it’s very hard to replace a roof during rainy and snowy conditions, so you may want to opt for late winter or early spring, when the weather is starting to improve, in order to get the best deal.
It’s also important to make sure you secure the services of the best roofers you can find. Interstate Roofing has been in the business for decades, and we’re experts at the ins and outs of installing new roofs in Oregon. Contact us for a quote for your Portland/Vancouver area roof replacement.