The amount of time spent on a new roof installation will depend on the material you choose for the roof. Asphalt shingles might be able to be finished in a couple of days, while metal roofing could take a week or more to wrap up.
Today we’ll walk you through each roofing material and the amount of time it takes to be installed or removed from your roof. Tearing off the old roof can be a time-consuming task that’s often overlooked in the planning process.
Average Time for Roof Replacement
One of the biggest factors that changes how long an average roofing project will take is the condition of the existing roof and the size. A brand-new roof on a small house can be completed in as little as half a day with simple materials, but large roofs with multiple layers or steep pitches will take significantly longer.
Metal roofing, slate tiles, and clay are materials that are much more difficult to install and can take significantly longer, especially on large and difficult roofs where simply carrying the materials and getting them onto the roof can take a significant amount of time.
Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement Time
Asphalt shingles have many benefits that make them a popular choice for roofing throughout the United States. But, one of the biggest benefits of choosing asphalt shingles is that they can be easily and very quickly installed. In contrast, the normal challenges such as steep inclines, ridges, valleys, and size will all make it take much longer. Asphalt shingles can still be installed much faster than most other roofing materials.
On average, asphalt shingles can be replaced in 1 to 3 days. However, removing the old shingles and cleaning up the yard and surrounding areas can add extra time to the project.
Metal Roofing Replacement Time
Metal roofing has become increasingly popular over the past few decades. Metal roofs are durable, very attractive, and almost always will last for 50 or more years without any problems. However, metal is a more difficult material to work with, which means it will take far longer to install or remove from your home’s roof. Additionally, it’s much more expensive.
Including the removal of any roofing material on your home before the installation of metal roofing, most metal roofs can be installed in roughly four days. This number can go up or down depending on how complex the roof is, how much prep needs to be done, and how many workers are on the job.
Clay Tile Roof Replacement Time
Despite how attractive they are, clay tiles have long been known to be one of the most expensive roofing materials. The reason that it costs so much is that you’re paying for an extremely high-quality and durable material with a very complex installation process that can take a week or more to complete.
Clay tile roofs can take anywhere between six days all the way up to two weeks, depending on how large the roof is. If it’s a simple, flat installation, then you can expect to have your new clay tile roof done quickly.
Slate Roofing Replacement Time
Slate roofs are often considered the pinnacle of roofing materials. They’re incredibly durable, can last for over a hundred years with proper maintenance, and have a timeless look that will never go out of style. But the downside to installing slate tiles for your home is the time it takes to have them installed.
Most slate roofs take between two and four weeks to install from start to finish. Of course, depending on the roofing crew completing the work, some projects will be faster than others. The complexity and size of the roof will also make a dramatic difference in how long it takes to complete.
Setbacks for Roofing Projects
There are always setbacks that can delay how long it takes to complete the work for any roofing project. The biggest setback for most roofing projects is weather conditions. If it’s cold or rainy, then your workers will have a much more difficult time completing their jobs because they’ll be working uphill on slippery roofs without great footing.
Here are a few other factors that can weigh in on how long a roof will take to be completed.
Hot or Cold Temperatures
When it’s too hot or too cold, your workers will have a much harder time working as quickly as they need to. If the temperature is well above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you should expect things to take longer than normal because of how difficult and dangerous it can be for roofers to work in such extreme temperatures.
Similarly, the extreme cold can make it difficult to keep feet and hands warm, and roofing materials are harder to work with because of the challenges of cold.
Rain and Snow
Roofers can work when it’s raining or snowing lightly, but the longer they’re on your roof in these conditions, the greater the chance of them slipping and falling. Additionally, if the roof isn’t sealed, water will seep into the seams and cracks, leading to serious problems further down the road.
Snow presents an even more daunting challenge because of the ice and extremely slippery conditions that can cause a roofer to fall or struggle to stay on the roof. It’s also important to know that roughly 50 roofers die yearly by falling from roofs. Working in poor conditions only increases the chance of falling.
Material Shortages
If there’s a shortage of roofing materials due to shipping or transportation delays, then the roofing project will naturally take longer to complete. Obviously, this isn’t something that happens often or that you should expect to deal with. But it’s good to know that it could happen.
Large or Difficult Roofs
The larger the roof or the more complex it is, the longer it will take to replace. Safety is important, and complex roof systems can make safe access more difficult to achieve. If your roof is more than 1,700-2,000 square feet, then you should expect it to take a bit longer to complete.
Difficult to Access
Some homes are built on steep hills and can be extremely difficult to access for roofers. Similar to knowing if your roof is large or complex, you likely know if it’s going to be difficult to access. Extremely high peaks, and the hilly ground around your home, will cause the project to take longer due to the need for safe practices and time spent accessing the roof.
Quick Replacements Aren’t Always the Right Replacements
It might sound good on paper, but be wary of the roofer that promises to complete a project in half the time of their competition. Some roofing projects are just going to take longer. Rushing them and trying to complete them in less time than is needed to do a successful job can lead to poor craftsmanship.
One of the advantages of working with a long-standing and well-known local business is the trust and warranty to back their work against.
Roof Troopers can be your one-stop shop for fast, safe, and effective roofing. Whether you need roof repair or replacement, our team has decades of exterior contracting experience, and we can provide you with exceptional roofing services.
Reach out to our team today to schedule an estimate or get emergency roof repairs. Don’t live with a leaky roof. Call us today!
