Your roof is built to last for many decades and hold up well in different types of climates. Evenutally, the roof will reach the end of its lifespan and will require installing new materials. When you’re ready to reroof your home, you may be wondering how long it takes to complete the project while working with a professional roofer.
The Timeframe to Replace a Roof
Most roofs take an average of one or two days to complete if the structure is less than 3,000 square feet. The project can be completed quickly when there’s a team of professionals working together on the project. Some types of roofs can take three to five days to replace if the structure is complex or if the roof is installed in poor weather conditions.
Some structures that have a lot of different facets take longer to replace due to the number of valleys, hips, and angles that are present. There are also different precautions the roofer needs to take to ensure they stay safe while navigating the roof throughout the day. If your home has more than one story, extra precautions will need to be taken to avoid slips and falls. Most roofing professionals move at a slower pace when they’re on buildings that have two or three floors, which can add a few extra days to the project.
Factors That Influence the Timeframe
There are many different factors that influence the timeframe of completing a roof installation. First, the roofer may need to tear off the existing structure before installing new materials. Some roofing materials can be installed directly on top of the hold roof.
The weather is another factor that can affect the timeframe. If it’s raining or starts to snow, it can be challenging for the roofers to secure the materials to the building and keep everything dry.
The accessibility of your roof is an additional factor that can influence the completion of the project. If the roof is more challenging to access, it’ll take longer to remove all of the materials and drop them into a dumpster. The roofer will need to access the roof multiple times throughout the day while staying safe, which can make it a slower process.
The type of roofing materials you select also determines how long the process takes to complete. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material in the industry and take one to three days to install. Wooden shingles require six to eight days to install, and slate tiles require six to seven days. Slate tiles may also need reinforcements if you live in an older home that doesn’t have the support needed for the heavy weight of this type of roofing material. Concrete tiles are often installed on residential and commercial buildings and take eight to nine days to install.
If any structural damage is present on the roof deck, you can expect a few days to be added to the roofing project as the necessary repairs are performed. This can also influence the cost of the project.
If you want to avoid complications or delays when you need to reroof your home, you can plan to schedule the project in the spring or summer season when the weather conditions are better. Dry weather will help the roofers avoid having to tarp different parts of the roof. This is also when the sun is out longer, which can allow them to work later in the evening. During the winter months, roofers don’t always work as long because there’s less sunlight available each day.
It’s Not Ideal to Rush the Project
Although you may be eager to have a new roof on your home, a quick installation process is not always ideal. Some roofers that work at a faster pace are prone to cutting corners and making mistakes, which can lead to complications and issues in the future. There may also not be a proper cleanup of the materials that are left out in the yard.
It’s important to choose quality over speed to ensure the roof offers the protection you need in the coming years and doesn’t hurt the value of your home.
Although you may not know the exact timeframe of how long it will take to reroof your home, a professional roofer can provide you with a realistic timeframe after you plan the project. There may be a bit of patience required during the process, but you can have peace of mind knowing you have the protection you need once the new materials are installed.