Washington DC Roof Installation

Due to the less than mild climate of Washington DC, roof installation is a project that homeowners should not only be familiar with, but should pay close attention to, as well. Installing one kind of roof could mean a relatively maintenance-free investment for decades at a time, while other roofing materials might need a bit more work, but will require a substantially lower initial investment. When your current roof has become too old to function properly, understanding a little about what is involved in putting up a new roof can be very beneficial. Knowing a bit about how different factors can affect cost, the difficulty and duration of installation, and the future function of your investment can also help making the right decision for your situation a little easier.

Asphalt Roof Installation in Washington DC
Of all the materials available for roof installation, Washington DC homeowners are overwhelmingly partial to asphalt roofing. Though there are certainly varying grades of asphalt on the market, even high end shingles are often more affordable than the other roofing alternatives. Most roofing contractors will be very well versed in installing and repairing asphalt. Its insulate qualities and its ability to hold up under moist conditions and freezing temperatures makes it an excellent choice for DC. When dealing with asphalt, the difference between a cheap shingle and a high end one is significant. In some cases, higher quality shingles can outlast their cheaper counterparts by a decade or more, so opting for a slightly more expensive product might actually save you money in the long run.

Installing Other Roofing Materials
While asphalt is definitely the most popular roofing material on DC houses, it is not the only one. Washington DC homes can be found topped with metal, slate, tile, or even wood, but because these materials are less common than asphalt, the number of companies who specialize in their installation is also fewer. If you're thinking of installing a roof made from anything other than asphalt, make sure that the company you choose is very familiar with the material.

Though each of these materials is more expensive than asphalt, each also offers some benefits that asphalt does not. Metal roofing is extremely durable and might last 40 years or more without requiring any significant maintenance. Slate and tile are both extremely expensive when compared to asphalt, but each has been known to last 70 years or more (some slate roofs are still functioning after a century)! Wood roofing, though more expensive than asphalt and less durable than metal, slate, or tile, is one of the most attractive roofing materials on the market. It should be noted, however, that wood roofing requires a fair amount of maintenance to hold up well (especially when put in a climate like that of DC).

Washington DC Roof Installation Costs
There are many things that go into the bottom line price of roof installation. Washington DC area homes with relatively simple roofs will be less expensive to cover than an ornate Victorian-style home with steep pitches and multiple gables. Heavy roofing like tile or slate might require the addition of extra support to hold their weight, driving up their already hefty price tag. In DC, an average asphalt shingled roof installation is likely to run $5,000 to $7,000 (though we've seen some installations go for as little as $3,000 while more expensive jobs can break $10,000). For more exotic roofing materials, the price can easily cost double or triple the price of an asphalt installation of similar scope, and in some instances even more!

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