While many roofs are made to stand the test of time and weather the elements, nothing lasts forever. But when looking at roof replacement options, you may be overwhelmed by the different options and price points. So how much does a new shingle roof cost on average? In Louisiana, roof replacement costs around $6,900.
While that may be the estimated average price of a standard roof installation, there are a lot of different factors that play into the final cost of your roofing project, and these variables can leave you with a lot of questions. Will a new shingle roof affect the value of my home? Can new roof shingles be installed over old shingles? Can I save money if I buy and install shingles on my own?
If you are thinking about investing in a new shingle roof, hire an experienced Bossier City roofing contractor like those at Quality Exteriors. We offer roof repair, removal, and replacement services to residents of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Call us today at 318-747-1254 and receive a free estimate on your roofing project.
Understanding the Basics of Shingle Roofing
Shingle roofing is a kind of roofing installation involving small, overlapping pieces of various materials, including stone, wood, metal, and asphalt. When you think of a roof, you’re probably thinking of a roof with traditional asphalt shingles. These are the dark grey, textured shingles on most homes in America. Different roofing materials have different properties and vary in durability, cost, and appearance.
Whether you’re looking to repair or replace your existing shingles or you’re looking to install new shingles made of a different material, Quality Exteriors can help you decide what’s best for your home and budget. Call us today at 318-747-1254 to schedule a free Bossier City roof inspection or estimate with one of our roofing experts.
Benefits of Shingle Roofing for Your Home
While a new roof can be an expensive investment, the benefits can make it well worth your time and money. Asphalt roof shingles can protect you, your family, and your belongings in the event of severe weather. Residents of Louisiana are all too familiar with hurricanes, and the damage they cause, and having an outdated, damaged roof can increase your home’s susceptibility to weather damage. Asphalt roofs increase durability and can last you about 15 to 20 years.
Additionally, a new shingle roof can increase your home’s curb appeal, making it more attractive to potential buyers. If you’re looking to sell your home in the future, investing in new shingles could increase the value of your home, which can put the money you spent back into your pocket.
Factors Affecting Shingle Roof Cost
Several factors affect the cost of a new roof, including the size, shape, steepness, and complexity of the existing roof, the location of the home, and the roofing materials used. Below are some of the factors that can affect the price of your roofing project.
Roof Size, Shape, and Complexity
The roof size and roof complexity are major factors in determining how much a new shingle roof will cost. Contractors have to determine how many shingles the roof will need and may even have to retrofit shingles to conform to the shape of the roof.
Roof Square Footage
The cost of a new roof can heavily depend on the size of your existing roof. Shingles are ordered according to the square footage of your roof. While a roofing contractor can give you an accurate measurement of your roof, you can get a rough estimate of your roof’s size by multiplying the square footage of your home by 1.25. So if your home is 2,000 square feet, your roof is probably around 2,500 square feet.
Roof Shape and Complexity
Shingle roof replacement cost can also depend on the shape and complexity of your roof. If your roof has a lot of facets, hips, or valleys, it may cost more to install shingles on it. Any additional elements, like skylights or chimneys, can also increase the complexity of your roof. There are many different styles of roofs, so take a look at the shape of your roof and determine the style of your roof to better estimate the cost of a roof replacement.
Roof Pitch
The pitch, or slope, of your roof can affect the cost of your roof replacement as well as the time the job will take to complete. Roofs with a steeper pitch are harder to work on and often require roofing contractors to take additional safety measures. This can increase the cost of labor and time.
Choice of Shingle Material
Roofing material also plays a part in the cost of a new roof. Depending on the shingle material, you could be paying as low as $3 to $6 per square foot or as much as $20 to $30 per square foot for your new roof. It’s important to choose a material that suits your needs as well as your budget.
Basic Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles, also sometimes called three-tab asphalt shingles, are the standard option for roofing materials and can last you a while. On average, they can last about 15-20 years before they need to be replaced. Asphalt roof shingles are inexpensive and durable and often come in colors like grey, black, and brown.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural asphalt shingles, sometimes called “laminated” shingles, are more durable than basic asphalt shingles and can be made to resemble specialty roofing materials like wood shakes. These roof shingles can last around 25-30 years and can give your roof a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than other asphalt shingles.
Specialty Shingles
Specialty shingles are shingles made of materials other than asphalt, like wood, stone, metal, or clay. Specialty roof shingles cost more than asphalt shingles on average, but depending on the material, they can last much longer than asphalt shingles. Additionally, they can give your roof a unique look which can help it stand out from surrounding homes and buildings.
Underlayment and Insulation Requirements
Another thing to consider is your roof’s underlayment and your area’s underlayment requirements. A roof underlayment is a layer of material that sits underneath the shingles and is often made up of asphalt-soaked felt or another synthetic material. Many areas have codes and guidelines for roofs and can often have requirements for roof underlayment. On average, underlayment can last about 20 to 30 years before it needs to be replaced, but if you’re looking to replace the shingles on the entire roof, you may want to consider replacing the underlayment as well.
Your local building codes may also require you to have roofing insulation in your home. Roof insulation often sits under the roof deck and prevents your home from experiencing heat loss or gain through the roof. This kind of insulation may only last about 10-15 years, and it may be a requirement for your home, so it’s something to keep in mind when budgeting.
Different Types of Shingle Materials
There are many different types of roofing shingles for you to choose from, including asphalt shingles, wood shingles, wood shakes, metal shingles, fiberglass shingles, slate shingles, composite shingles, and even solar shingles. All of these roofing materials vary in price, with asphalt shingle roofs being some of the cheapest and specialty shingle roofs being some of the most expensive. Let’s take a look at the price range for these roof shingles.
Asphalt Shingles
A basic asphalt shingle roof can be one of the most affordable options for roof materials. On average, asphalt shingles cost about $3 to $6 per square foot. Opting for asphalt shingles can help you keep your roof replacement costs as low as possible.
Architectural Shingles
Architectural asphalt shingles can be slightly more expensive than three-tab asphalt shingles, but they offer a longer lifespan and a better look in return. Architectural asphalt shingles cost about $5 to $8 per square foot. If you’re looking to extend the life of your roof at an affordable price, architectural shingles may be the right choice for you.
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Wooden roofs are often either made of wooden shingles or wooden shakes. Wood shingles are cut by a machine on both sides, so they can be more cheaply manufactured. Wood shakes, however, are cut by a machine on one side and split by hand on the other. This gives wood shake roofs a more unique and rustic look than wooden shingle roofs, but they often cost more as a result. Wood shingles cost around $5 to $10 per square foot, whereas wooden shakes cost about $8 to $14 per square foot.
Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are made of pieces of slate, or slate mixed with synthetic materials, that are cut into rectangles. Since it’s stone, slate is incredibly durable and can last over 100 years. A slate shingle roof can also set your home apart with its striking yet sleek appearance. Unfortunately, slate is often heavier than other roofing materials, meaning you may need to add additional supports to your existing roof so the slate is secure. On average, slate shingles cost $12 to $22 per square foot, not accounting for the cost of additional reinforcements.
Metal Shingles
Metal roofs can be comprised of either small, rectangular shingles that overlap one another or large metal sheets that connect at seams. Metal shingle roofs and standing seam metal roofs can cost anywhere between $9 to $14 per square foot of aluminum.
When comparing metal roofs to asphalt roofs, metal roofs tend to be much more expensive, but they also tend to last 20-30 years longer than asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are also flame resistant, which can help lower your insurance costs, and highly reflective, which can lower your energy costs. Those savings could supplement some of the initial investment cost of a new metal roof. If you’re interested in metal roof installation, the experts at Quality Exteriors have you covered.
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles are made of synthetic materials and are made to look like various kinds of roofing shingles, including wood and slate. Composite shingles cost around $7 to $13 per square foot and can last around 40-50 years. While they may not be the real deal, composite shingles can look very similar to other, more expensive shingles. This can increase the curb appeal of your home without the hassle of adding additional support.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are often the most expensive shingles you could have installed on your roof. The average cost of solar roof tiles is around $15 to $35 per square foot. While solar shingles cost more than almost all other kinds of shingles, solar shingles can help you save on your electric bills and can even qualify you for government rebates. This can help justify that high price tag.
Estimating the Cost of Shingle Roof Installation in Bossier City, LA
Before starting your roofing project, you’ll want to estimate the cost so you can properly budget for it. Your home’s shingle roof cost will depend on a lot of factors, but we’ll help you make a rough estimate of how much you should expect to spend on roofing material and labor costs. Ready to get started with your roof installation? Call Quality Exteriors at 318-747-1254 or contact us online, and we’ll get in touch with you about your project.
Average Cost per Square Foot
Let’s compare the average cost of different kinds of roofing shingles. When you go to buy roof shingles, there are usually three categories: basic, three-tab asphalt shingles, architectural shingles, and specialty shingles or luxury shingles. Three-tab asphalt shingles cost about $3 to $6 per square foot. Architectural roof shingles cost about $5 to $8 per square foot. Specialty shingles cost about $9 to $14 per square foot. After getting a measurement of your roof size (or making a rough estimate), multiply the square footage of your roof by the price of the shingles you’re looking at buying.
Cost Breakdown: Materials vs. Labor
After deciding on what roofing shingles to buy and after taking a look at the size and shape of your roof, you can begin to more accurately estimate the roofing material costs. But what about roofing labor costs? That also depends on a few factors. In Bossier City, roof installation costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Steeper roofs or more complicated roofs can have higher labor costs than other roofs, and roofers will take that into consideration when giving you an estimate.
While DIY shingle roof installation is an option, most professionals will not recommend this since you’ll probably spend the same amount of money on materials that you would to hire a professional roofing company. Additionally, DIY roof work often doesn’t look as good as professional roofing, and things like poorly laid shingles or bulky flashing could decrease your home’s curb appeal. Professional roofers will already have the knowledge to adhere to local building codes, order materials quickly and correctly, and safely install roofing shingles.
Additional Costs to Consider
There are a few additional roof installation costs to consider before you finalize your budget. When buying shingles, there are often a few brands to choose from. Depending on the shingle brand you plan on buying from, you may be paying more or less than the estimated average cost for those shingles. Once you pick a brand, you can factor the actual price of the shingles into your budget rather than using a rough estimate.
Roof replacement costs can also depend on the current state of your roof. If your Bossier City roof is damaged, you may have to pay for roof repairs before you can start replacing shingles.
Other Factors Impacting Roofing Installation
Ok, now that you’ve gotten a much more accurate estimate of your roof shingle installation project, let’s discuss some of the other factors that can impact your home improvement project.
Location and Local Building Codes
Local and national building codes can impact your roof installation and can even dictate how the job should be done. National building codes are updated every three years, but older homes may have been built according to outdated codes or even built without following any codes. It’s important to research the latest building codes for your area and ensure your roof is built in compliance with them. While ensuring your building is up-to-code can be challenging and expensive, it’s often better than facing fines and potential court hearings.
Roofing Contractor Experience and Reputation
Another factor that can impact your roofing installation is the experience and reputation of the roofing company you hire to do the job. When choosing a professional roofing company, you’ll want to look at what their clients say about their work, not just the price they’re willing to do the job for. Hiring professional shingle installation services like those offered at Quality Exteriors will ensure your roof replacement is done right the first time, which can prevent you from hiring additional services later down the line.
Warranty and Longevity Considerations
Your shingle roof will often come with two kinds of warranties: there will be a warranty on your new shingles and a warranty on the installation services you paid for. The warranty on shingles varies in length depending on the type, so three-tab asphalt shingles might be insured for 25-30 years, whereas wood shakes may be insured for 50 years. If you’re like most people and plan on getting many years of use out of your roof, you may want to consider how long you want your warranty to last. The warranty for labor on shingle roof installation can also vary by the contracting company, so be sure to ask how long your roof project will be under warranty before you hire anyone to install your new roof.
Your roof should last you and your family for a decade or two at the minimum, but extreme weather conditions could damage or even destroy your roof in an instant. You may also want to consider buying Bossier roof insurance to guarantee your investment is protected, even in extreme situations.
How Long Does a Shingle Roof Typically Last?
The expected lifespan of a shingle roof depends on the type of shingles used. On average, asphalt shingles will last about 15-20 years, asphalt architectural shingles will last about 20 to 30 years, and luxury or specialty shingles will last between 40-70 years.
What Maintenance Costs Are Associated With Shingle Roofs?
Things like shingle removal and Bossier City roof repair can add to the total cost of your roof replacement job. It can cost you about $2,000 to have your old shingles removed by a professional contractor. Roof repairs before roof shingle installation cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to a few thousand, depending on the damage.
Since a new shingle roof costs a decent amount of money, you want to make sure it is well-maintained so it can last you for as long as possible. In addition to roof replacement and repair, Quality Exteriors offers Bossier City roof maintenance services so that your roof continues to serve you and your family well. Call 318-747-1254 to schedule our maintenance services.
Can I Install Shingles Over An Existing Roof?
Yes, you can install new shingles over your home’s existing roof shingles, but only if the old shingles are made of asphalt. Materials like clay, stone, and wood require complete replacement.
Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor in Bossier City, LA
When searching for roofing contractors, you probably have a few options to choose from, and it’s important to hire the right one for the job. Below are some tips on how to vet different roofing contractors and find the one that’s right for you.
Checking Credentials, Licenses, and Insurance
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a roofing contractor is whether or not they are qualified and certified to do the job you’re hiring them for. You’ll want to make sure the roofing contractors you plan to hire have valid licensure and are insured. If you don’t, and your roof is poorly installed, or one of the contractors is hurt on the job, you may face some financial consequences.
Requesting and Evaluating Roofing Quotes
Most roofing contractors will be upfront with clients about shingle roof costs in their area. Some contractors, however, will engage in bad-faith practices and offer higher estimates than their competitors but offer the same or lower quality work than other local contractors. Gathering multiple estimates from a few local companies can help you get a better idea of what your new roof will potentially cost and help you find the best offer available to you.
A good Bossier City roof installation and replacement company like Quality Exteriors will give you an honest estimate of the costs of roofing materials and labor, as well as provide you with expert service. With a wide range of home improvement services, we can help increase the value of your home and ensure you and your family are protected from the elements. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with quality service and workmanship, so call us today at 318-747-1254.
Investing in a Shingle Roof
In Louisiana, a new shingle roof costs about $6,900 in total. Buying a new roof can be difficult for many homeowners, but roof replacement can increase the value of your home and will provide you and your family with protection. Below are some of the benefits of investing in a new shingle roof.
Understanding the Value and Return on Investment (ROI)
Asphalt shingle installation can provide you and your home with several benefits. First and most importantly, a new roof installation can help protect you, your family, and your belongings from the elements. This kind of return on investment is hard to calculate how much a new roof could save you in repairs, but the newer the roof and its materials, the less you’ll have to repair it. This can save you money on fixing leaks or other damage over the years.
New roof shingles can cost a lot in the short term but can sometimes pay for itself later down the line. New roofing shingles can increase your home’s curb appeal and increase its value when put up for sale. According to Cost Vs. Value homeowners in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma who paid for asphalt shingle roof replacement recouped about 65% of their total cost in resale value in 2019.
Making an Informed Decision for Your Roofing Needs
Not every home is the same, and not every homeowner has the same priorities. When considering shingle removal or replacement services, you’ll want to ensure you’re finding the right services for your exact needs. Looking to increase your home’s curb appeal? Consider having your roof made of more aesthetically pleasing shingle material. Trying to find shingle removal or replacement services for your business headquarters? Look for a roofing company that offers Bossier City commercial roofing services.
Contact Quality Exteriors For All of Your Roofing Needs
If you’re interested in reroofing, roof repair, or full roof replacement services, Quality Exteriors is here to help. With over 35 years of experience in roofing and home improvement, you can rest easy knowing your home is in good hands. We can even offer emergency roof repair when you need help most. In addition to our quality roofing services, we also provide siding installation and repair, as well as Bossier window replacement services.
We provide high-quality roofing and home improvement services to the residents of Shreveport and Bossier City, LA, as well as residents of other surrounding areas, including South Louisiana, East Texas, and Bryant, AR. Call us today at 318-747-1254Â and receive a free estimate.