So you woke up after a particularly stormy night to find your property riddled with torn-off roof shingles and blown-over debris. Or maybe your old roof is starting to show signs of wear, such as moss and algae growth or higher energy bills from losing heat and cool air through your attic.
Whatever the situation at hand might be, there are several different reasons for homeowners to seek out a residential roofing company to come to replace their home’s roof. And when that time comes, it naturally leaves many wondering, “how long does it take to replace a roof?”
The answer to that question isn’t entirely straightforward, so this article aims to explore the average roofing installation length, as well as all of the various factors that can contribute to the actual duration of your roofing project.
What Is the Average Roof Replacement Project Length? ⏰
As we already mentioned, there’s not really one solid answer to the question: how long does it take to replace a roof? Common roof materials like asphalt shingles or wood shakes are typically shorter, easier installation processes. In contrast, heavier, hard-to-work materials like slate and concrete tile can take much longer to replace.
The average replacement times for popular roof material options are as follows:
- Asphalt shingles: 1 to 2 days
- Metal roofing: 1 to 3 days
- Cedar shakes: 3 to 4 days
- Clay tile: 3 to 4 days
- Concrete tile: 7 to 8 days
- Natural slate: 5 to 7 days
- Composite slate: 3 to 5 days
- Flat roof: 2 to 3 days
Your chosen roofing material isn’t the only detail that will impact how long it takes to replace your roof. Your roof replacement depends on a broad range of contributing factors, which we’ll dive into further below.
Factors That Can Impact Roof Replacement Timelines ⌛
The roof replacement process can vary depending on many factors. It can vary based on project size, existing structural damage, and even the skill and experience level of your roofing crew. Just take a look at all the different ways the work can be slowed down when having your roof replaced:
1) Existing Roof Condition
When you replace a roof, the condition of the existing structure will play a pretty substantial role in how long it takes to replace it. When there is significant structural damage from a storm or issues with the underlayment and roof deck, you’ll run into even further problems and a delayed project if they’re not fixed first.
2) Roof Accessibility
Another aspect affecting the time it takes to replace your roof is the accessibility of your roof itself. If there are a lot of landscaping or outdoor structures in the way, it’ll hinder your contractor or roofing company from having clear, easy access to the roof. You’ll want to create a clear path so construction can wrap up quickly.
3) Roof Size, Slope, and Design
As you might guess, the roof size and design will also determine how long it takes to replace a roof. The larger your home, the steeper your roof, and the more complicated the layout (think skylights, chimneys, high peaks, ridges, etc.), the more material and time required for proper installation.
4) Roofing Materials
As we already discussed, the time it takes to install your new roof will change according to your chosen materials. It might only take a few hours to repair missing shingles on a shingle roof, while the timeline is more like six to seven days for clay and slate roofs. This is primarily for two reasons:
- Some materials, like asphalt shingles, are widespread, so most roofing contractors have more experience working with them and can complete the job quickly.
- Slate, clay, and metal roofs are some of the heaviest roofing materials, so more work is required to install these types of roofs.
5) Weather and Time of Year
Environmental conditions and weather will also affect your roof replacement process. If it’s wet from rain or icy and cold outside in the winter months, you can expect your contractor to work a lot slower than if the work was done in optimal conditions and clear weather.
6) Roofing Contractor Experience
Of course, an inexperienced roofing team will require additional time when replacing your roof to complete the job right compared to a company with an impressive track record that can install a roof much faster.
As a general rule, you want to have an initial meeting with your contractor, get a roof inspection, and receive a free estimate before settling on someone to tackle the job. You can even seek out multiple quotes to find the contractor you trust most.
7) Underlying Issues
Again, any pre-existing issues with your roof or the roof deck underneath will need to be addressed before you can install any new materials. Your roofing contractor should inspect your roof prior to installation to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
8) Historical Significance of a Home
Replacing the roof of a historic home (or even just making repairs) can often require you to jump through hoops and will tack on additional time to your project. If you live in a preserved or historic home, the best course of action is to hire a roofing contractor with specific experience working on those types of properties. This ensures everything is installed properly without impacting any other areas of the house.
Receive a Fast Roof Replacement That Lasts 💨
Whether your property was recently hit by a storm or your old roof simply needs to be replaced due to general wear and tear, getting a new roof installed never sounds simple. Several factors can influence the timeline of roof replacements, and the last thing you want is for this project to drag on and on.
That’s why it’s so crucial to seek out experienced roofing contractors who can simplify the process and tackle your roof replacement with ease— someone like DuraShield. Here at DuraShield Contracting, we have nearly two decades of industry experience serving our community with outstanding customer service and an unmatched quality of work, and we can complete your roof replacement quickly and painlessly.
Get in touch with us today to start your roof replacement right away.