When to Replace a Roof + Things to Consider for Tennessee Homeowners

Sooner or later, your Tri-Cities home might need a new roof! Just like your home's siding, gutters, and even the front door, your roof puts up with a lot of wear and tear, and it'll eventually need fixing up – even if it’s made with premium materials. If you want to avoid major long-term damage and big leaks, you need to know when to replace a roof so you can schedule the renovation well ahead of disaster.

At Window World of the Tri-Cities, we know roofing in Tennessee. Contact us online to ask about our capabilities installing a new, efficient roof!

How often do roofs need to be replaced?

Your roof should last for quite a long time, assuming it’s installed by knowledgeable experts and made with the right stuff! Indeed, the materials comprising your roof will affect its overall lifespan. As you might guess, some materials are more resilient than others.

For example, wood shingles can theoretically last for up to 30 years or so, but they might last for significantly fewer years when you account for things like pests, storms, and more. Composition and asphalt shingles last for 20 to 30 years.

As a good rule of thumb, expect that your roof will need to be replaced every 20 to 30 years or sooner. If you’ve gone three decades without a roof replacement, it’s high time to call a roofing inspector to take a look!

Certain roofs, like the Integrity Roofing System, will last longer than average. That’s why it’s always better in the long run – for your peace of mind and your wallet – to invest in a higher-quality roof instead of a cheaper alternative. The sooner your roof wears down or springs a leak, the sooner you have to fork over more money to repair or replace it.

When is the best time to replace a roof?

When the time comes to replace your home’s roof, you’ll want to schedule it during the ideal season! Having roof contractors tear up your old roof and put in a new one could lead to big headaches and significant discomfort if a sudden storm thunders into town in the midst of the project.

In most cases, the best time of year to replace a roof is in the middle of fall, when temperatures aren’t too hot or cold and you aren’t likely to see a surprise shower or snowstorm. That’s also the case with the Tri-Cities area – October is the month with the least rainfall, so aim to schedule your roof replacement around then.

That said, fall roof replacements are also the most expensive. Contractors are booked up throughout this busy season, so you might have to pay more for a fall roof installation compared to a spring or summer appointment.

If you prefer, you can risk a replacement during these seasons for a cheaper quote. Just be aware that bad weather could damage your roofing materials, leading to higher costs in aggregate! Replacing a roof can take anywhere from one day to up to five days. Talk to your contractor about whether they think they can complete the task quickly if you want to schedule a spring or summer replacement.

Signs that your roof needs to be replaced

Sometimes, through a combination of storm-related wear and tear, poor construction, or other misfortunes, you might need to replace your roof sooner than expected. But how do you know when a roof needs to be replaced? There's no need to spend money on a full roof replacement if your current roof will last you for some years to come, after all.

Truth be told, you can usually tell pretty quickly when your roof needs to be replaced. Here are some of the telltale signs that your roof should be swapped out with a new model.

Leaks anywhere inside your home

Whether it's a slow, steady dribble of droplets or a constant, annoying stream of water pooling on the floor, almost any leak is a surefire sign that it's time for a new roof. The exception would be if you can tell the water is slipping in around a leaky window instead.

Critter infestations

If mice, bugs, and other rodents or pests suddenly appear in the attic or other rooms, they might have gotten in through the roof. A roof inspection will tell you whether that's the case and, if so, whether a replacement is necessary.

A higher energy bill

If your roof has a leak or other vulnerabilities, air treated by your HVAC system could be escaping, forcing the system to work overtime to keep your home properly warm or cool.

Granules or debris from your roof around the perimeter of your house

If you’re walking around and see bits of asphalt shingles, for example, it’s at least a sign that the shingles need to be shored up and fixed.

Things to consider when replacing a roof

Replacing the roof, however, is a big job. So, before you call a contractor, you’ll want to consider a few key things.

Roofing material matters!

First, the roofing material you choose for your new roof will affect:

• Your budget
• Your roof's longevity
• Your roof's appearance

Slate and asphalt make up most traditional shingles these days. Asphalt shingles are particularly popular thanks to their customization options and multitude of possible colors. Take a look at CertainTeed’s Residential Roofing solutions to see just how creative you can get with asphalt shingles!

Wood shingles look great, but they can be pricey. On the plus side, if a wood shingle roof is installed correctly, your shingles could last for several decades and even longer than durable asphalt shingles in some cases.

The roof replacement will be noisy

When you schedule a roof replacement, keep in mind that things will get pretty noisy no matter what. Depending on how long the replacement will take, it could be a good idea to stay at a friend's or family member's house or book a hotel room for a couple of nights while the contractors work.

Aim for quality roofing

The most crucial element of any roof replacement is quality. Since roof replacements cost thousands of dollars at minimum, it’s better to pay for quality materials and workmanship as opposed to choosing a less durable roof. In the long run, you'll spend more on multiple roof replacements within 20 to 30 years than you would with a single, quality new roof that lasts you for decades without issues.

For example, if your previous roof only lasted for 10 years or so, it makes a lot of sense to invest in a higher-quality, more protective solution this time around. The Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System is one example of a complete, highly durable roofing system that safeguards your home against inclement weather and lets you cap off your house's design with a variety of different shingle and aesthetic designs.

Luckily, you can get the quality you deserve by contacting the professional roofing contractors at Window World of the Tri-Cities. When you call 423-212-2573, our experts can connect you to the right roofing system for your needs, work with you to schedule the replacement at a time that’s ideal for your family, and get the job done on time and within budget. Request a quote today to begin your roofing replacement project!