We know that cost is one of the most important factors when getting the news that you'll need to reshingle your house soon.
If you're like most homeowners, you don’t have any idea what a shingle roof will cost you. So, what do all of us do? We start googling, what's it going to cost me?
We get it. Even a small shingle roof can be a large investment. And most of us need to budget for a home improvement project like a roof, right?
And from what we can see, roofers don't want to list their prices to re-shingle a house online. This is frustrating.
We’ve got you covered today. Yes, we’ve decided we’re going to tackle the elephant in the room. The cost.
RoofCrafters Roofing has been helping residents in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida re-shingle their homes for 3 decades. So, we can honestly say, we know a thing or two about shingling roofs. And now we want to share our 30 years of experience to help you better understand the cost.
And here's the thing, whether you decide to work with our family or you decide another contractor is a better fit for you. Either way, we still want to be a part of helping you get the best roof possible for your home.
So in this article, we’re going to cover all the important information needed about shingling a roof. And hopefully, by the end, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision on getting a new shingle roof installed on your home.
Let’s get started.
3 Things you want to consider when selecting your shingle
- Do they fit my budget?
- How long will they last?
- What type of maintenance will be required?
1. The cost of the shingles
Are you are searching for the least expensive materials? Asphalt shingles are the most economically priced materials for any home or business. The ease of installation, combined with the 4 different grades of shingles make them appealing and a popular option for shingling any house or business. Several other factors go into determining the final cost, however, you can expect to pay somewhere between $7,300 and $29,100 for an asphalt shingle roof.
2. The expected lifespan of asphalt roof shingles
- 3-Tab asphalt shingles can be expected to last 12 to 15 years
- Architectural asphalt shingles can be expected to last 18 to 25 years
- Upgraded architectural asphalt shingles can be expected to last 25 to 30 years
- Designer asphalt shingles can be expected to last 30 to 40 years
Asphalt shingles come with manufacturers' material warranties that are pre-determined by each of the manufacturers through research and studies. The expected lifespan provided above is based on the actual lifespans. Lifespans we’ve seen over the past 30 years in the roofing industry.
3. Roof maintenance can prolong the expected lifespan
Having roof maintenance done can extend the life of the shingle. Done twice or even once per year will help prevent premature roof failure. Preventative maintenance is a must. Keeping the leaves and debris off the roof. Checking your accessories like pipe penetrations and flashings to make sure they are properly sealed. These simple roof maintenance items will prevent the most common roof leaks and prolong the life of the shingles.
The components included in shingling a roof
Every house has different components that’ll be needed to reshingle your roof. Here is a list of the most common items that’ll be used for a reshingle project.
- Wood decking
- Underlayment (Organic and synthetic roof underlayment)
- Ice and water shield
- Eave drip flashing (roof drip edge flashing)
- Pipe vent flashing
- Mechanical vent flashings
- Roof-to-wall, chimney, or skylight flashing
- Ventilation
One of the first steps to getting a new shingle roof is deciding which asphalt shingle is right for you. Understanding the cost of the different types of shingles will help you decide which one is right for you. Here are the 4 options.
The 4 types of asphalt shingles
The 4 types of asphalt shingles are:
- 3-tab shingles
- Architectural shingles
- Upgraded architectural shingles
- Designer shingles
With 4 types of shingles to choose from, you’re sure to find one that you’ll like. Because the shingle comes from different manufacturers, many times our clients pick the shingle style based on the available colors. Maybe it’s a certain roof style, the perfect color, or a pattern that you want.
Below we are going to show you images of the 4 styles. We will also provide the average cost of each of those shingles installed on houses.
The average cost to reshingle a home installing 3-tab shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles are the least expensive shingles. The least popular too. Because 3-tab shingles are widely used on new construction homes and investment properties. They’re often referred to as builder-grade shingles.
3-tabs can be a great option for shingling your roof if you have a tight budget. They’re the least costly of the shingles. Keep in mind, that they’ll provide the least amount of wind protection. They’ll also need to be replaced more frequently than the other shingles too.
Aesthetics: They provide a flat slate shingle look.
Lifespan: Typically lasts 12-15 years depending on weather conditions.
Protection: 3-tabs is the lightest of the asphalt shingles. Rated for 60 mph wind, they provide the least wind protection and during a major wind event, the 3-tab shingles are at a greater risk to blow off the roof.
For a 3-tab shingle on a home with 2 straight sides and no chimneys or skylights, the average cost is $7,300
A 3-tab shingle on a home with a split level or 2 or 3 stories. With several hips and valleys, the average cost is $10,600
View GAF 3-tab colors here.
View Certainteed colors here.
The average cost to re-shingle my house with an architectural shingle
Architectural asphalt shingles are also known as dimensional shingles. They’re heavier than the 3-tab shingles. They’ll provide you with a higher wind rating than the lighter 3-tab shingle roof.
Architectural shingles are also referred to as laminated or dimensional shingles. During the production of the shingle, the manufacturer laminates shingle parts together. This laminated part creates depth or provides dimension.
Fun fact, this shingle was first designed to look like real wood shingles. These roofs are also the most popular shingles installed on homes in the entire United States.
Aesthetics: These shingles provide a dimensional look that will provide more curb appeal
Lifespan: Most architectural roofs last 17 to 25 years with proper roof ventilation. Why proper ventilation matters
Protection: High wind ratings. With the correct installation methods, they can provide wind coverage up to 130 mph depending on which manufacturer you go with.
For an architectural shingle on a home with 2 straight sides. No chimneys or skylights, the average cost is $11,200
An architectural shingle on a home. A more complex roof with several hips and valleys, the average cost is $17,100
View GAF Architectural colors here.
View Certainteed shingle colors here.
The average cost to reshingle a home with upgraded architectural shingles
Upgraded architectural shingles will provide you with the same economic ease as any asphalt shingle. The major difference is the curb appeal. Compared to the regular architectural shingle, the upgraded architectural shingle is much thicker. They weigh as much as 100 pounds per square foot more than the architectural shingle.
More weight and a thicker shingle give your roof greater definition. This creates a deeper 3-dimensional look. The added pop will surely increase your home's curb appeal. If that’s what you are looking to accomplish.
Aesthetics: The thickness of these shingles create a noticeable difference which provides your home extra curb appeal.
Lifespan: Created with more asphalt in the shingle, these shingles typically last 25 to 30 years.
Protection: The heavier a product the less likely it is to blow off in a major wind storm. These shingles can weigh as much as 100 lb per square foot more than regular shingles depending on the manufacturer you decide to go with.
An upgraded architectural shingle on a home with no chimneys or skylights, the average cost is $13,100
An upgraded architectural shingle on a home with a split level or 2 stories. Complex roof, with several valleys, the average cost is $19,000
View GAF Upgraded Architectural colors here.
View Certainteed Upgraded colors options here.
The average cost of shingling a house with designer shingles
Designer shingles are sometimes also referred to as luxury shingles. Designer or luxury shingles are specially designed to simulate natural products. Products such as real slate or natural wood shingles. They’re by far the heaviest of the asphalt shingles too.
Designer shingles will add tremendous aesthetic value to almost any home. They create amazing curb appeal with their unique one-of-a-kind designs. Do you want your home to stand out from the rest? If so, this may be the right shingle for your home.
Aesthetics: These shingles are specifically manufactured to provide the most curb appeal.
Lifespan: You can expect these shingles to last 30 to 40 years.
Protection: Designer shingles are the heaviest of the shingle family. With the proper installation, they provide unmatched wind and protection from storms.
A designer asphalt shingle on a home with an easy roof pitch. No chimneys, or skylights, the average cost is $18,300
A designer asphalt shingle on a home with a split level or 2 stories. Complex roof, with a chimney or a skylight and several valleys, the average cost is $29,100
View GAF designer styles and colors here.
View CertainTeed's styles and colors here.
The Pros and Cons of an Asphalt Shingle Roof
The pros of an asphalt shingle:
- Weather-resistant, fire-resistant, and wind-resistant. Asphalt shingles are proven to resist sunlight, heat, cold, water, and ice. They also comply with fire and wind standards.
- Economical, easy installation, and low maintenance. Asphalt shingles are produced at a high volume, which reduces the cost compared to other roofing materials. Combine the ease of installing an asphalt shingle roof with little to no maintenance and this makes it one of the most economical roof materials available today.
- Aesthetics and style options.
The cons of an asphalt shingle:
- Being the most economical, they lower lifespan than other products such as metal, slate, or clay tiles, which means they will need to be replaced more often.
- Asphalt shingles also have a lower wind rating than metal, slate, or clay tiles roofing materials, making them more likely to get
Get a checklist to help hire a great roofing contractor to reshingle your house by asking the right questions
Now that you have a fair idea of what a new shingle roof will run you. Keep in mind that these are average costs. And without us knowing all of the factors used to determine the actual cost of a shingle roof tear-off we can’t give you an exact price.
What else do you want to learn about to help you make a great decision for your upcoming roofing project?
I would also recommend that you check out what is a lifetime warranty for a shingle roof. This will help you better understand the warranties available to protect your shingle roof investment.
Because shingles are not the only materials needed to complete a roof. We also recommend checking out components included in a roof replacement.
Our family here at RoofCrafters Roofing wants to be a part of helping educate all the communities we serve. Empowering you, so that hopefully you feel confident along every step of the way on your roofing project. If you are in one of our many service areas and would like to get an exact price for your roof, you can schedule your inspection here.
It’s a big investment and an important one at that. So, we have also put together a hiring checklist. It has some frequently asked questions along with the answers. Hopefully, this will help you feel more confident in making a great hiring decision.
