1. Stripping existing shingles and discarding them properly.
2. Applying ice dams to prevent water damage.
3. Laying asphalt paper over the roof deck.
4. Lining metal drip edging around the roof's edge.
5. Implementing valley flashing to manage water run-off.

Can I reroof my house myself?

The truth is, anyone can replace their own roof, with the help of the many DIY websites. For residential houses, roof replacements typically take two days – the first day to remove the old roof, and the second day is to install the new one.

How much does it cost to reroof your home?

The national average cost to replace a roof is around $8,000, with most people spending in the range of $5,500 to $11,000. The two largest variables you'll deal with on a job like this are the square footage of your home (and thus, your roof), and the type of roofing material you choose.

What type of roofing is best?

Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Relatively lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install, asphalt shingles are the best choice for most houses. They come in sheets that are layered on a roof to give the illusion of more expensive single shingles, such as cedar and slate, that are installed one shingle at a time.

How long does it take to put a new roof on?

In general, the roof of an average residence (3,000 square feet or less) can be replaced in a day. In extreme cases, it could take three to five days. Depending on the weather, complexity, and accessibility of your home it could even take up to three weeks.

How to Roof a House - THE BASICS

Is it OK to put a new roof over an old one?

The answer is yes, you can lay new roof shingles over old ones. ... You can't do it with wood or slate, for example, and you should never mix materials, such as laying asphalt shingles over cedar shakes. Also, the old roofing has to be in pretty good condition.

What is the process of replacing a roof?

1. Step 1: Choose the Right Contractor. ...
2. Step 2: Choose the Materials. ...
3. Step 3: Removing The Old Roof. ...
4. Step 2: Inspecting The Wood Decking. ...
5. Step 3: Getting The Roof Surface Ready. ...
6. Step 4: Installing The New Roofing Materials. ...
7. Step 5: Cleanup and Final Inspection.

What materials do I need to shingle a roof?

• #15 or #30 Felt underlayment.
• Asphalt shingles.
• Drip edge.
• Hook blades.
• Roofing nails.
• Sealant.
• Self-adhesive waterproof underlayment (“ice and water shield”)
• Staples.

How do I estimate roofing costs?

Your roof estimate should include the number of penetrations and the specific kind of boot that'll go around them. The estimate should also include any flashing your roof needs. Flashing is metal placed anywhere the shingles butt up against something, such as a wall, chimney, or in open valleys.

What is the first step in the roofing process?

1. Tear off the old roof. ...
2. Install the drip edge. ...
3. Roll out the underlayment. ...
4. Cover the roof with felt paper. ...
5. Waterproof the valleys. ...
6. Apply starter shingles. ...
7. Install the shingles. ...
8. Install the flashing.

Is it better to remove old shingles?

While a repair job can often be more convenient and somewhat more cost-efficient, placing new shingles over old ones is never a good idea. Whether repairing one section of roof, or a replacing a whole one, it's always best to pull up the old shingles before putting down the new ones.

Can I put 3 layers of shingles on my roof?

House roofs should never exceed three layers of shingles. Adding additional layers without excavation can save homeowners up to $1,000 in labor. Therefore, layering has advantages. ... High quality asphalt shingles are the best roofs to install multiple layers on.

Can you put 2 layers of shingles on a roof?

Most building codes allow up to two layers of organic or fiberglass asphalt shingles. That limit pertains to roofs with up to a 4:12 pitch. ... Think of it this way: By leaving the existing layer of shingles on your roof, you'll save on both labor costs and disposal costs.

How long will shingles last on a roof?

Dimensional shingles come with a 30-year manufacturer warranty. Vented properly and installed correctly, you should get around 80-85% of the life span out of an asphalt roof. That means you can expect to get about 20-22 years out of your 3-tab shingle roof and 25-28 years out of your dimensional shingles.

How much does it cost to replace a roof on a 2200 square foot house?

A new asphalt shingles roof for a typical 2,000 to 2,200 square foot single-family house can range in price from $9,500 to $16,500 fully installed, including tear off and disposal of the old roof (up to two layers).

Can you shingle over one layer of shingles?

You might be able to lay new shingles over existing shingles and avoid the cost of tear-off. ... Some roofers install a layer of waterproof shingle underlayment (WSU) over the existing shingles at the eave end, as would be done for a roof laid on bare sheathing. This provides added protection against ice dams.

How much should shingles overhang?

The edge of the shingles should hang over a roof between an inch and an inch and a half — or between a half inch and three-quarters of an inch if drip edge flashing is installed. Too much overhang and the shingles could blow off in high winds; too little can allow water to seep into rake or fascia boards.

How many nails should be used per shingle?

General Guidelines for Nailing Shingles

Install the recommended number of nails per shingle. For Duration® Series shingles, Owens Corning recommends using either a 4- or 6-nail fastening pattern depending on the roof's slope and building code requirements. In most cases, 4 nails are adequate.

How do you measure a roof for shingles?

Roof surfaces are measured in “squares”. A roofing square is equal to 100 square feet of the roof. To determine the number of squares on the gable roof example in this post, divide its total of 2400 square feet by 100 (2400 ÷ 100 = 24). This means you would need 24 squares of shingles to cover that roof.

What size do you cut starter shingles?

Most manufacturers recommend a modified pyramid pattern with the starters cut from two shingles: a 21-in. length and a 15-in. length from one 3-ft. shingle, and 28-in.

Do you overlap shingles side by side?

When you reach a peak or hip, shingle all the way up the first side (until the reveal portion of the shingles is within 4 inches of the peak) and cut the 3-tab shingles just below the ridge. Shingle the other side and allow these pieces to overlap the ridge by no more than 4 inches.