There’s no denying that replacing your roof is going to be expensive. It’s one of the most costly changes you’ll ever make to your home. For some homeowners, the price will be the most significant consideration you’ll make when choosing new materials for your roof. Here are the best affordable roofing options that you can get right now.
Can You Save Money By Installing Your Roof Yourself?
As you’ll see on this list, there are some roofing materials that are easier to install than others. Because of this, you’ll be wondering whether you could install them yourself. After all, you want to save money. A lot of the cost of a new roof is the expertise from qualified roofers. Can you actually save money by doing it yourself?
In theory, yes, you’ll save money by going the DIY route. However, it’s not advisable. You’ll save money in the short term, but you won’t get the full benefit of a new roof. If you’re totally new to roof installation, then it’s probable that you’ll do something wrong in the process. That leads to damage over time, especially if water gets into the roof. If that happens, you’ll need to call in experts to fix it, and that will cost you more in the long run.
Plus, remember that roofing is a dangerous job. Roofers are highly qualified professionals who will handle the job safely with all the right equipment. That can be very difficult for you as a novice, so it’s always better to budget for a professional installation.
Best Affordable Roofing Options
So, what are the most affordable roofing options out there? There are several you can choose from, and you can get all the benefits of a brand new roof without breaking the bank.
Asphalt roofing:
This is probably one of the most inexpensive roofing options out there, as it can cost as little as $1.50 per square foot. Because of this, you can install it very cheaply. That’s why it’s one of the most popular roofing options out there right now. There are lots of different types of asphalt shingles on the market, so you can pick something that makes the most sense for your home. Another benefit is that if a single shingle takes damage, it’s fairly simple to remove and replace it without disturbing the rest of the roof.
The biggest downside to this roofing type is that they have a short lifespan. Even the best, most well cared for shingles will only last for around 25 years, maximum. Cheaper options will only give you about 15 years before needing to be replaced. As well as this, the shingles are highly susceptible to damage from high winds, heat damage, algae, and more.
Rolled roofing:
A rolled roof is made up of long strips of asphalt saturated membrane, which is topped with mineral granules. They are very inexpensive, costing around $0.50 per square foot. Their other biggest benefit is that they’re very easily applied, as the material is simply rolled out and attached to the roof. That helps keep costs down.
With those benefits, you will also get some downsides, however. For example, you’ll see that they have the shortest lifespan of any of the materials on this list. Typically, you’ll get around 5 to 10 years from it before it has to be replaced. It’s also not the most attractive affordable roofing style out there, so you’ll see that many people don’t use it on their homes. Instead, it’s usually best for sheds, barns, and other outbuildings.
Metal roofing:
This is a roofing material that’s seeing a lot of popularity right now and with good reason. It has an excellent lifespan, lasting up to 70 years in some cases. They’re also fairly simple to install, as they are installed in large sheets. Those sheets create fewer seams where water can get in, leading to less water damage and issues that you’ll need to deal with during roof inspections. Plus, the roof will have an excellent fire rating, making it one of the safest roofs out there.
The only real downside is the price. It’s one of the more expensive ones out there, with a corrugated roof costing between $1.80 and $2.50 per square foot to install and a steel metal roof costing around $3.35 per square foot. However, if you’re looking to get a roof that will cost less in maintenance and won’t need replacing for a long time, this will be the one for you.
Wood shake roofing:
If you want a tiled look for your roof, but don’t want to go with asphalt shingles, then wood shakes are an option. Many homeowners like them as they are very attractive and actually have a lot of natural benefits. The wood is resistant to water, insects, and moss. Plus, the wood is resistant to harsh winds, too, so you’re less likely to lose the shingles after a storm.
A wood shake roof will last you around 20 years, so it’s not the longest lasting roof, but it’s still longer than other options too. The installation costs around $2 to £4.50 per square foot, so it’s very affordable. There’s a lot of things to love about wood shakes, but it will need some care and attention so you can get the most out of it.
Which Roofing Material should You Choose?
Now you have an idea of what’s out there. You need to decide which affordable roofing material is the right one for you. When choosing, cost should be a big factor, but think about what else you need. For example, can you spend more on a roof that will last longer? Do you want a material that needs less maintenance? Do you need your roof to stand up to inclement weather? Have all this in mind when you make your choice.
Now you know about some of the most affordable roofing options out there. Even if you’re keeping to a budget, you’ll be able to find an option that works for you and your home.
