When Is the Best Time to Replace a Roof?
Roof replacements are a necessary evil. If you’ve lived for a couple of decades under the same roof, chances are that its lifetime is ending, and its replacement is close by. But that does raise an important question: what is the best time to replace your roof?
Most roofing contractors will agree that Fall is the busiest time for roof replacements. Spring tends to be the best season to replace a roof, but it’s a bit risky. Summer and Winter have their fair share of drawbacks, depending on your location.
So, how can you choose when to contact your local roofing company for a roof replacement? We’ll take a look at just that today. We’ll lay down the benefits and drawbacks of each season in order for you to make a more informed decision when it’s time to replace your roof.
How Often Does a Roof Need To Be Replaced
For starters, let’s see when roofs have to be replaced. This mostly depends on whether you’ve properly maintained your roof, as well as what material it’s made from and what location you’re in. That’s quite a few reasons!
In general, a shingled roof should be replaced every 20-25 years, with metal roofs lasting double that. Synthetic shingles will last 30-40 years when well-maintained, and natural materials like slate and clay have a lifespan of 50-100+ years.
Of course, if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, like SoCal, you’ll need to have your roof inspected more often. There’s always a risk that it might need to be replaced earlier than its expected lifetime.
Things To Consider When Replacing a Roof
When you decide it’s time to replace your roof, you’ll have to consider some factors. These will allow you to make the best decision for your designated budget and house needs.
Roofing Material
If you ask us, the roofing material is the most important choice to make before a roof replacement. Different materials require different infrastructure, with some not being available for every location or every roof.
This also plays into your budget, as premium materials, like slate, come at a rather hefty price point. Plus, the more durable your roofing material, the longer you’ll have to wait for your next roof replacement.
The Noise
If you decide to stay in your house during the roof replacement, you’ll also need to endure the noise that comes with it. The whole affair is very noisy, and considering that these can last from a few days to a few weeks, it’s undoubtedly not bearable for everyone.
Shop Around
Just because you called up one contractor for an estimate doesn’t mean that you have to stop there. Most roofing companies, including us, offer free estimates for every project. So, contact as many contractors as you want until you’ve found a reputable one that also offers you a great deal.
Focus on Value, Not Price
This is a general tip we give to every homeowner when it comes to their roofing. When you decide to replace your roof, you might be tempted to go for a cheap set of shingles instead of a standing seam metal roof.
While the former might cost less at face value, their actual value is usually much worse compared to the latter. That’s because a metal roof will last double (if not more) the time of the shingles, while it usually costs less than double the amount.
What Is The Best Season To Replace Your Roof
Now that you’re ready to get your roof replaced, let’s see what season is the best one.
Summer vs. Winter
Both summer and winter are known for their extreme weather conditions, especially when it comes to temperatures.
Summer home improvement projects usually last longer than they should have because of the intense heat in areas like SoCal. Contrary to that, Winter is a bad idea for shingled roofs, as the sealant used on these needs heat to adhere to the roof.
That being said, winter is usually the cheapest season and the one with the most availability. When it comes to summertime, you can expect costs to be high and the availability to be somewhat limited.
Fall vs. Spring
The two best seasons for your roof replacement are hands-down Spring or Fall. If you’re in SoCal, Spring is the way to go, as the weather is getting warm but not so hot that you can’t walk to your car without sweating. Plus, despite there being some weather fluctuations, it’s usually mild enough toward late Spring.
As for the Fall, it’s certainly the busiest season for roof replacements in the US. So, this comes with very limited availability and the costs being sky-high. Plus, with the Santa Ana winds hitting Southern California during early to mid-fall, we wouldn’t consider it the optimal option.
Let Us Take Care Of Your Roof Replacement, the Wise Way
If you’re in an area where the weather is great all year round, there’s no best time to replace a roof. You can do so at any point of the year. But it’s always better to have such projects done in the Spring or the Fall. If you’re in SoCal, we can help you out!
At Roofing Wise, we’ll take care of your roof replacement and further maintenance all year round. Contact us now at (833) 315-7663 for a free estimate!