A complete garage roof replacement isn’t an easy project. If you’re determined to do it on your own, there are many things to consider when replacing a garage roof. A common oversight many DIY homeowners make is not paying attention to all of the components that go into a quality garage roof system. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about replacing your roof correctly.
How to Choose the Right Material For Your Garage Roof
Before you opt for a specific type of roofing material, you should consider how important your garage’s visual appearance is to your entire household. Factors you should take into account include whether you have an attached or detached garage and if the garage is visible from the street or not.
If your garage is a direct extension of your house, its roof may affect your entire property’s aesthetic appearance and selling value. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most common roofing materials for residential buildings:
- Asphalt Shingles — Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material on residential buildings in the US. They are durable, cost-effective, and make great garage roofs. There are three major types of asphalt shingles, 3-tab shingles, dimensional shingles, and premium asphalt shingles.
- Tile Roofing — Roofing tiles, especially ones made from clay, are trendy in Europe. In the US, they’re not as widespread but are still an excellent roofing solution. Since roofing tiles are heavy, clay and concrete tiles might not be the most suitable for your garage roof.
- Metal Roofing — Metal roofing is an excellent choice for garage roofs, even though it’s a bit more expensive than the previous options. At Code Engineering Systems, we purchase most of our roofing materials from Tri-County Metals. Based in Trenton, they’re a premium Florida metal roofing provider.
Additional Components and Accessories
Aside from choosing the right material for your garage roof, bear in mind the other products and components your roof may need based on its condition. The decking of your roof is also a critical component of a quality roof. When it comes to this base layer of the roof, we recommend you use plywood. It’s affordable, durable, and easy to replace if necessary.
If your garage and home share the same cooling or heating system, it’s also a good idea to provide insulation for your garage roof. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose a lot of energy and have substantially higher electricity bills. When it comes to insulation, there are a lot of details to take into account. That’s why it’s best to leave this part of the project to experienced professional roofers.
High-pitched or Flat Roofs?
The materials you have at your disposal will depend on your roof’s pitch. High-pitched garage roofs provide you with the most roofing material options. This includes all three popular types mentioned above, provided your roof’s pitch is at least 2:12.
Roofs with a pitch of less than 2:12 fall under the category of low-slope roofing systems. If you have a garage with a low-slope roof, you can’t use shingles. Such roofs require special roofing materials, such as roll roofing or self-adhesive roof membranes.
If you have a flat roof but want to install shingles or tiles, you’ll have to convert the flat roof to a high-pitched one. In such cases, it’s best to work with a professional roofing company. They will help you decide what style and how tall you want your garage roof to be and how steep its pitch should be.
How Much Will Replacing a Garage Roof Cost?
The cost of the material is one of the most important things you should consider when calculating the project’s overall cost. Luckily, this is a factor you can easily control if you’re operating on a tight budget. By choosing more cost-effective materials, you can save money and control how much you spend.
However, keep in mind that less expensive materials often have a shorter lifespan than those that cost more. Once you’ve picked the type of roofing material you want to install, it’s time to calculate other aspects that factor in the roof replacement process.
Another crucial factor to consider is the size of your garage. This is something you can’t control. To make it easier, break down the square foot’s cost to get the most accurate calculation of how much materials you need.
Besides the size of the roof and the type of material, many other aspects can factor in the cost. Depending on your roof’s condition, you might also need to replace the flashing, decking, vents, or gutters. If all of this seems overwhelming, it’s best to leave the estimate to licensed roofing professionals.
Getting Assistance Replacing Your Garage Roof
This page covers every bit of information you need to know to complete a garage roof replacement. But it’s always best to consult a professional roofing company before undertaking such a project on your own.
At Code Engineering Systems, we provide residential and commercial roofing services for all areas of the Florida Panhandle and Tampa. With an unparalleled service quality, we offer you a unique combination of roofing expertise that guarantees complete customer satisfaction.
If you have any general questions or need advice for your garage roof replacement, our skilled professionals will help. They’ll be happy to provide you with any necessary assistance and aid you in your roofing project. Simply fill out our quick online form or call us at 813-373-9088, and we’ll get back to you without delay.
