Our quick “we’re getting a new roof” post on Thursday generated a surprising number of questions, so here’s a full update with before, during, and after photos. First, here’s the roof we had before:
Up close you can see it was a flat, grid-like, weathered roof—twenty years old and looking tired. It was definitely on its last legs and at real risk of leaking.
And here’s our brand-new roof (forgive the inconsistent lighting—if only we could control the sun):
We were pleased to negotiate a great price and also arrange for the crew to haul away demolition debris along with some rotten wood we’d been storing in the garage. We asked nicely while they were loading the old roof into the dumpster and they agreed, which saved us the $100–$300 we’d been quoted for a separate haul-away service. Of course we helped by carrying material up the ladder; here’s John after tossing about twenty garbage bags of junk into the dumpster:
We also negotiated a modest price for two low-profile roof vents to replace the old metal whirly-gigs that stuck up too high. The upgrade cost us $15 per vent, so $30 total, and the new vents look much more modern and sit lower on the roofline.
We considered adding a ridge vent for about $325, but after talking with neighbors who hadn’t noticed an airflow difference, and because our house already has adequate side and awning vents, we decided it wasn’t necessary.
Here’s a progress shot of the crew working in near-90-degree heat. They moved quickly and professionally while we kept an eye on things from inside.
Now, answers to the most common questions from our earlier post:
How did we save for it? We saved for more than two years because we knew the roof would need replacement eventually. Our inspector estimated 3–5 years when we bought the house in 2007, and over time the sunroom developed compromised areas that collected water in a ceiling fixture—so it was time to act. We planned ahead and saved so we could replace the roof before any severe weather caused leaks and interior damage.
Did we get a deal because of the blog? We were offered free roofs by a couple of companies and politely declined. We don’t mention the blog when calling for estimates; we contacted local businesses recommended by friends and family and chose the best fit at the best price. We prefer to pay for professional work like any homeowner would, and most contractors who work on our house don’t know about our site. That way we can honestly recommend them if they do a great job.
Why not DIY? We love tackling many projects ourselves, but this one required expertise and speed. The roof was close to failing and the flat section over our sunroom challenged some professionals who gave estimates, which confirmed our decision to hire the experts. We collected many estimates and chose a fully insured, family-owned local company with decades of experience. One quote was nearly $10,000; the one we selected was about half that.
What kind of roof did you install? We chose a 30-year dimensional shingle roof (GAF shingles) to add depth and durability. Many roofers recommended dimensional shingles over a 20-year flat option because they’re more attractive for resale and typically last longer. We picked the color “Pewter Gray” after driving around to see how it looked on similar brick homes.
Why not a light or white roof for energy savings? We researched reflective roof options, but experts told us our lot is too shaded for color to have a measurable impact. Lighter roofs also show stains and discoloration more easily in wooded areas, while darker shingles hide staining and can visually extend the roof’s useful life. In our case, the darker shingle was the more practical, eco-conscious choice because it reduces the need for earlier replacement.
Why not solar panels? Our property is too shaded to generate worthwhile energy savings from solar panels, so they wouldn’t have been a practical investment.
Why not metal or slate? We considered metal and slate because we love their look, but both were two to ten times more expensive than shingles and would have priced the house above neighborhood norms. Since most homes nearby have shingle roofs, a higher-end material wouldn’t have been cost-effective or easy to recoup at resale.
That’s the full update: a new, durable roof, hauled-away debris, modern low-profile vents, and a job done by experienced pros. Anyone else recently reroofing their house or brave enough to DIY their roof? We’re curious to hear what others chose and why.