What Does a Roof Replacement Cost? It Depends on the Design of Your Roof
At Elite Roofing & Solar, one of our most frequently asked questions from our customers is “How much does a roof replacement cost?” And while the average may fall anywhere from $8,000 to $30,000, this is just an estimate within a broad range, as the final price you pay can vary greatly.
One of the biggest reasons why the cost varies so much is that every roof is different from the next. Between different materials, roof sizes, and many other factors, those differences add up to major cost impacts. In fact, some cost factors that are less talked about can actually make a huge difference.
To help homeowners better understand everything that goes into the cost of a roof replacement, we’re discussing how roof pitch, a lesser-known cost factor, impacts the final price of your roof.
What Is Roof Pitch?
The “pitch” of a roof is another word for the angle at which the roof slopes upward from the roof’s edge to its peak. This pitch is essential to the functioning of the roof, as rainwater flows off and overlapping shingles protect the home from moisture and wind.
As for how roof pitch is measured, it’s much simpler than the specific angles you might see in a geometry class. Instead, roof pitch is given as a ratio of the inches of vertical “rise” for every 12 inches of horizontal distance (or “run”).
For example, the most common roof pitches in residential roofing are between 4/12 and 8/12—that is, between 4 and 8 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run. Pitches below 4/12 are considered “low slope,” while pitches higher than 8/12 are generally considered steep. Depending on the roof design, some roofs may even have pitches of 12/12 or more.
How Does Roof Pitch Affect the Cost of a Roof Replacement?
With all of that out of the way, how does this actually impact the cost of a roof replacement? There are three major ways that roof pitch affects the replacement cost for a roof:
- Volume of materials required
- Types of materials that can be installed
- Overall difficulty of installation
More Pitch, More Roof
Generally speaking, the steeper a roof’s pitch, the more surface area it will have. This means more materials will be required to replace the roof, which will increase the final cost.
Product Restrictions
Some roofing products can perform better or worse depending on the pitch of your roof. This means that roofs with pitches either below or above the norm may be limited in what types of materials will be compatible. In addition, steep roofs form a larger portion of the profile of a home, which may make homeowners more inclined to choose higher-end shingles.
Installation Difficulty
Steep roofs are more challenging to work on than roofs with shallower pitches. While roofers can walk on a roof with a 4/12 roof relatively easily, steeper pitches will require additional precautions that will slow the roof replacement process and ultimately add to labor costs.
What Other Factors Contribute to Cost?
Of course, roof pitch is just one of several cost factors that go into a roof replacement. Other major contributors include:
- Size of the home
- Complexity of the roof
- Type of material used
- Distance and accessibility
Book a Consultation for a Roof Replacement Quote!
At Elite Roofing & Solar, we understand how important it is for homeowners to budget carefully for a roof replacement. Unfortunately, this is made difficult by how unpredictable the cost of a new roof can be.
That’s why the best first step in planning a roof replacement is to book an inspection and consultation with the expert roofers at Elite Roofing & Solar. We’ll provide you with a detailed, transparent quote for your roof, free of charge. Get started by reaching out to our team!
