Replacing your roof is one of the most expensive things you will do for your home. So, it makes sense when clients ask, “Do we have to replace everything on the roof?” Here’s the truth, most of the accessories on your roof have been there just as long as your current shingles or metal roofing system. If you chose not to replace them, you could be risking the longevity of your new roofing system. We always tell clients that best practices are to replace everything on the roof. You never want to be the homeowner who cuts a corner to save money to only end up paying more money in the long run.
As of July 2022, the average cost of your roofing system is anywhere between $40 to $69 per square foot. This is based on our Atlas Shingle pricing and a home averaging 1200 to 2200 square feet. This pricing does not factor in the additional cost of roofing components; these accessories can cost you an additional $50 to $500 per component. We are going to go over common accessories on a roof, what their purpose is, and the average cost so you can better understand why the cost of your roof is what it is and why updating everything at once will pay for itself in the long run.
Gutters
While gutters can add curb appeal to your home, their main purpose is to catch rainwater. Rainwater rolling off your roof over time can start to ruin the foundation around your home. Gutters aid in stopping this from happening by catching rainwater and directing it away from your home’s foundation. Gutters can be made from different materials such as copper, metal, and aluminum, and can come in several other different colors.
The cost for a completely new gutter system can range anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. This depends on the material, style, and size of your home. A gutter system that is well-installed and maintained can last over 20 plus years. Clients will ask us if they need to update their gutter system when replacing their roofing system. We always say, the best practice is usually yes, but if you have recently updated your gutters this may not be necessary.
If we recommend updating gutters for a client, it’s usually because they were not properly maintained and are showing signs of aging or dropping that can harm your new roofing system. Another instance is if the gutters installed are the wrong size. Believe it or not, you can put the wrong size gutter on your home. What does this mean?
Your gutter system won’t be able to keep up with the rainwater coming off your roof. This can cause your gutters to start pulling away from your fascia causing sagging gutters. This can also lead to water seeping into your roofing systems fascia leading to rotting .
Roof Boots
Roof Boot, Pipe Boots, Plumbing Vent Boot, Pipe Flashing, OH MY! How many names can one accessory have? Yes, we have several names for one accessory. This wasn’t our idea and that’s why we typically refer to them as Roof Boots.
So, what is a roof boot and why is it there? These boots are essentially covers for pipe vents that run from your kitchen and bathrooms. These boots are waterproof pipe penetrations on your roof that are usually made up of a combination of materials like rubber, plastic, and lead which is a flexible metal. The flexibility of this material is important because roofers are able to adjust boots to fit the pitch of your roofing system. This is important because it helps to create a watertight seal.
The cost of replacing these boots is typically $150 to $500. Typically, these boots will not last longer than 10 years. Does that mean they can’t last longer? Nope, we have replaced boots that were the same age as the home. However, these are usually the areas we find more roof damage. So, if your boots have been on your home since it was built, make sure you replace them with your new roofing system.
Whirlybird Vents
What kind of bird is this, you ask? It’s no bird at all. A whirlybird is also known as a turbine vent. It is a ventilation system that uses wind to cool your home. A whirlybird has a distinctive shape. It is shaped like a bulb and has fins on the outside that allow it to spin. When it spins it creates a vacuum suction that pulls warmer air out of your attic allowing your home to stay cooler.
Typically, a home’s whirlybird can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years and costs anywhere between $150- $500. If you are in the market for a new roof and know your turbines are getting up there in age, it’s best to go ahead and replace them with other accessories.
Chimney Caps
A Chimney Cap isn’t found on everyone’s roof. It is just for homes that have chimneys. The cap sits at the top of your chimney just above the chimney’s crown. If you have a chimney this is an accessory, you want to make sure stays maintained since it serves several purposes. The Chimney Cap is what keeps things like rain, snow, and animals out, while also keeping in the heat that you are creating for your home, in your home. Chimney caps now come in several shapes and colors to help provide extra curb appeal to your home and can cost you anywhere from $50- $1000.
Decking
Roof decking is one of the most important parts of your roof. Also known as sheathing, it is the boards used between your trusses and joists. It’s arguably one of the most important parts of your roof. Once your roof decking or sheathing is installed your roofers can now use a synthetic overlay to provide an extra step of protection before installing your shingle or metal roofing system.
