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Roof Replacement
Ready for a new roof, or trying to decide? Call (978) 577-5300 or send the form for a free written estimate. We'll review your request and follow up with you.
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- One roofer, not five calls
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Is it time?
How long roofs last, and when to replace yours
Every roof wears out. How fast depends on the material, how well it was installed and how well the attic is ventilated. These are typical ranges in a New England climate:
| Roof type | Typical life |
|---|---|
| Three-tab asphalt shingles | 15–20 years |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | 20–30 years |
| EPDM or TPO (flat roofs) | 20–30 years |
| Standing-seam metal | 40+ years |
| Slate | 75+ years, with repairs |
Age alone doesn't decide it. Replace when you see shingles curling, cracking or losing granules, leaks in more than one place, a soft or sagging deck, or daylight through the boards in the attic. If it's one problem on an otherwise sound roof, a repair is usually the better buy.
The process
What happens during a roof replacement
- Inspection and estimate. The roofer checks the roof, the attic and the ventilation, then gives you a written estimate.
- Contract and permit. You sign a written contract, and the contractor pulls the building permit.
- Delivery and setup. Materials and a dumpster arrive. Landscaping and siding get protected.
- Tear-off. The old roof comes off down to the deck.
- Deck repair. Rotted or soft boards get replaced.
- Ice barrier and underlayment. Self-sealing ice barrier at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment everywhere else.
- Flashing, vents and shingles. New drip edge, flashing at every wall and chimney, vent boots, then the shingles and ridge vent.
- Cleanup and final inspection. Debris is hauled away, the yard is swept for nails, and the building inspector signs off.
Most single-family replacements take one to three days of work on the roof.
New England roofs
What a New England roof has to handle
Ice dams. Building codes across the region require an ice barrier at the eaves in areas prone to ice dams. In Massachusetts that means from the roof edge to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall. A replacement that skips it is a red flag.
Ventilation. Balanced intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge keeps the roof deck cold in winter and stops heat from cooking the shingles in summer. It's the most overlooked part of a replacement.
Snow and wind. Heavy snow loads and nor'easter winds. Shingles should be installed to the manufacturer's high-wind nailing pattern to qualify for the full wind warranty.
Older houses. Two existing layers, plank decking instead of plywood, and chimneys that need new flashing are all common, and they should be priced into the estimate.
Comparing estimates
How to compare roof replacement quotes
The cheapest number often covers less work. Line the estimates up and check that each one includes:
- Full tear-off, with the number of layers stated
- A price per sheet for any deck replacement
- Ice barrier at the eaves and valleys
- New flashing, drip edge and vent boots, not reused
- Ventilation: what's being added or changed
- The shingle line and the warranty, both the manufacturer's and the contractor's workmanship warranty
- The permit, dumpster, disposal and cleanup
Ask for the contractor's registration or license number and a certificate of insurance. We verify the credentials the job requires before we send a contractor any calls.
FAQ
Roof replacement questions
What's the difference between a manufacturer warranty and a workmanship warranty?
The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in the shingles. The workmanship warranty is the contractor's promise on the installation, which is where most roof problems come from. Get both in writing.
Can new shingles go over the old ones?
Codes generally allow no more than two layers, and a second layer hides the deck and adds weight. Most contractors recommend a full tear-off so the deck can be inspected and the ice barrier installed properly.
What time of year is best for a roof replacement?
Spring through fall, when shingles seal well in the warmth. Replacements can be done in winter on dry, mild days, and emergency replacements happen year-round.
Do I need to be home while the roof is replaced?
Usually not. Make sure the crew can reach the driveway and an outdoor outlet, move cars out of the way and clear fragile items from the attic.
Will a new roof lower my energy bills?
A new roof with better ventilation helps, and lighter shingles or a reflective flat-roof membrane can cut summer heat. Insulation and air sealing in the attic make the bigger difference in a New England winter.
Local guides
Roof Replacement in your city
Some cities have their own page with local housing, permit and neighborhood details.
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