Your home is your safe haven. It’s where you eat comforting food with your family, cuddle up with blankets on rainy days, and maybe even where you work now! It’s fair to think that if you have any major home renovations coming up, like a full roof replacement, you don’t want your daily routine to get interrupted.
So, how long does it take to replace a roof? The answer might surprise you!
How Long Do Roof Replacements Take on Average?
An average asphalt shingle roof replacement only takes one to three days! Many homeowners who’ve never had a roof replacement before often expect the process to take much longer, but you can expect minimal interruption in most instances. You even have the choice to stay home during the replacement or hang out elsewhere while work is performed, depending on your personal preference.
7 Factors That Can Impact the Roof Replacement Timeline
It’s no secret that life is full of surprises, right? Well, even though most roof replacements only take a couple of days, there are a handful of factors that can affect the overall timeframe. Most of these considerations add a few hours or days, but some can even reduce the time!
1) Material Choice 🧱
Since asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the United States, most average data is based on an asphalt shingle roof replacement. Asphalt is our preferred material here at Andes Roofing, and we love how they’re quick to install, affordable, and durable (lasting for 15-25 years).
However, there are many roofing materials on the market, and they all have different replacement timeframes.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is another very popular material across the country. Once exclusive to barns and sheds, modern metal roofing is sleek and durable, often lasting between 40-70 years. A metal roof installation usually takes between one and three days as well.
Cedar Shakes
Wood shingles, or cedar shakes, are a more unique, luxury roofing material that usually lasts 20-40 years. They have a rustic appearance but do require a lot of maintenance to prevent rot. An average cedar shake roof replacement takes two to four days.
Clay or Concrete Tiles
You won’t see very many clay tile roofs in Southern Indiana or Louisville because they’re more popular in western regions. However, you may see some sprinkled throughout the country because of their impressive durability (80-100+ years!) and unique appearance. Because of the weight of concrete or clay tiles and the specialized installation knowledge required, a replacement can take a week or two.
Flat Roofing
Many businesses, and even some homes, have flat roofs. Flat roofing can come in many different materials, including:
- EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) (Say that three times fast. 😳)
- TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- BUR (built-up roofing)
- Spray foam
A flat roof replacement may take one to three days on smaller apartment buildings or up to ten days for very large commercial properties.
2) Size of Your Roof 📏
It may go without saying, but the size of your home and roof directly impacts how long the roof replacement will take. A smaller roof that’s 2,500 square feet or less can almost always be completed in one day (with asphalt shingles). However, if your roof is larger than 3,000 sq. ft, plan for the replacement to take at least two days.
3) Slope and Complexity 🧗
Roofing is a hard job! It can also be incredibly dangerous, so professional companies take every measure possible to ensure a safe installation. If your roof is particularly steep or has many slopes, hips, and valleys, you can expect to tack on an extra day for your roof replacement.
A roof like this requires a lot of skilled technique from your contracting team, and it’s always better to go slower, pay attention to detail, and ensure the job gets done right over rushing for a fast replacement and ending up with a faulty roof.
4) Inclement Weather ⛈️
Nice weather isn’t just great for spending a day at the park, but it’s also ideal for your contracting team! In fact, it’s simply dangerous for roofers to work in rain, snow, or extreme temperatures. Plus, you don’t want your roof to be vulnerable to leaks during rainfall, so it’s always best for your roofer to pause work during bad weather and continue on a nicer day.
Your roof replacement may get pushed back if there’s inclement weather in the forecast, or your roofer may have to secure a tarp to your roof and continue work on a later date if bad weather arises in the middle of your roof replacement.
5) Underlying Damage 💔
In an ideal world, your roofing contractor will rip off your existing roof and find a perfectly sound roof deck underneath. However, sometimes surprises occur. If your contracting team notices a rotting roof deck during the roof replacement, it’s necessary to replace your decking as well so that you don’t risk mold, leaks, and structural issues.
Replacing the entire roof system can add up to a day or two to the project.
6) Historical Significance 🗝️
Most homeowners don’t have to worry about this consideration, but if you’re inquiring about a roof replacement for a historic structure, the project requires more time and attention than others. These projects also often require special permits, so the overall timeline takes an extra few days or weeks compared to standard residential roof replacements.
7) DIY vs. Professional Installation 👷
Some people get tempted to complete lofty DIY projects— even attempting to replace their own roof! Not only does this method add a significant amount of time to a regular roof replacement, but it’s simply not recommended. A DIY roof replacement is complex, dangerous, and often results in more money spent down the line.
A skilled, professional roof replacement gets completed much quicker, and you’ll feel much more comfortable knowing professional techniques were used and that you have warranties backing up the installation.
Get a Highly-Professional New Roof That Doesn’t Interrupt Your Life
Here at Andes Roofing, our asphalt shingle roof replacements normally only take up to two days! So, not only do you get a durable and attractive new roof complete with an expert installation, impressive warranties, and flexible financing, but you can also get back to the regularly scheduled programming of your day-to-day life before you know it. Reach out to our friendly team today for a free estimate, and learn more about how we can help in Southern Indiana and Louisville!
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