If you are like most homeowners, you have a general idea for how long most home maintenance tasks should take. But odds are, it has been quite some time since your roof has been replaced and you’ve probably forgotten exactly how long to expect the job to take. So how long does a roof replacement take?
The honest answer is, it depends! The good news is that roof replacements likely won’t interrupt your life very much, but it all depends on the material you choose.
Roof Replacement Timeframes by Material
Replacing a roof sounds like a time-consuming, difficult task, right? Well, it would be for the average person, but trained professional roofers can get the job done surprisingly quickly. Some materials take longer than others to install, but typically, you can expect a new roof in just a few days.
Asphalt Shingles: 1 Day
Asphalt shingles are the “America’s sweetheart” of the roofing world. They are by far the most popular roofing material in the country. Homeowners love that asphalt shingles are very affordable but still offer pretty good longevity for the price. You can expect a new asphalt shingle roof to last 15-25 years with proper maintenance.
Since asphalt shingles are so widely available, and all roofers are trained in how to install them, an asphalt shingle roof replacement typically only takes one day if the conditions are right!
Factors that may delay a roof replacement include:
- Rain, snow, or extreme temperatures
- Very large or complex roofs
- Smaller crew sizes
- Home accessibility
Metal Roofing: 2-5 Days
Metal roofs are rising in popularity across the country. Your mind may immediately go to old, rusty, and loud tin roofs, but modern metal roofing couldn’t be more different.
Modern metal roofing has beautiful, sleek aesthetics, is fire-resistant, and is extremely durable— often lasting 40 to 70 years! There are two common styles of metal roofing: standing seam panels and metal shingles. Standing seam panels look smooth and sleek, while metal shingles resemble asphalt shingles— something many homeowners favor.
Standing seam panels are typically quicker to install than metal shingles, but you can expect a total of 2 to 5 days for your metal roof replacement.
Flat Roofing: 2-3 Days
Flat roofs are most commonly seen on commercial buildings, including some multifamily apartment buildings. While most homeowners don’t deal with flat roofs, property managers may.
Flat roofs are also called built-up roofs or modified bitumen roofs, and these roofs typically last 15-20 years before needing replacement. You can expect a flat roof replacement to be pretty quick— usually 2 to 3 days.
Cedar Shakes (Wood Shingles): 3-4 Days
Cedar shakes, or wood shingles, are a more specialized roof material that most homeowners choose for their aesthetics. Cedar shakes are actually made to order and hand-sawn, so it may take 3 to 8 weeks for the materials to even be ready for replacement. Once your roofing contractor has the materials, the actual replacement process can take about 3 to 4 days.
As a heads up, cedar shakes roofs require more maintenance than other standard roof materials, and they aren’t recommended for areas prone to wildfires. When it’s all said and done, cedar shakes roofs usually last around 30 years before needing replacement.
Since cedar shakes are naturally made, they typically don’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty. This is something to keep in mind before opting for this roofing material.
If you like the look of cedar shake, but don’t want to deal with the maintenance, you want to consider synthetic shingles.
Concrete or Clay Tiles: 7-9 Days
Another roof material option is concrete or clay tiles. Concrete tiles typically come in gray or tan colors, and clay tiles are the quintessential orange-red color that you commonly see on homes out West.
Concrete and clay tiles have their perks— mainly their durability. These materials can last from 50 to 100 years! Tiles are also very heavy and require specialty knowledge to install.
Because of the sheer weight of this roofing material, it typically takes roofing contractors a week or two to complete a full replacement.
Natural Slate Tiles: 6-8 Days
Natural slate is perhaps the most durable roofing material available, and it has a price tag to match. Lovingly nicknamed the “forever roof,” natural slate tiles can last over 100 years! Even though this material is so sturdy, it still requires regular maintenance to stay in prime condition.
Natural slate tiles aren’t nearly as widely available as asphalt shingles, so it may take a few weeks for your roofing contractor to get the materials from the manufacturer. Slate is another more complex roof replacement, but you can still expect it to be completed in roughly one week.
The Biggest Factor to Roof Installation Time
As you can tell, roof replacement time frames vary depending on the material you choose. But overall, you can expect minimal disruption to your life, especially if you opt for an asphalt shingle or metal roof.
At the end of the day, the roofing team that installs your new roof is the difference between an unreliable roofing system and one that lasts for decades. You need skill and experience to back up the materials you choose.
At The Heartland Builders, our dedicated roofing team has what it takes to install a roofing system that keeps you protected for decades. So when you need an asphalt shingle replacement, call our friendly team!
