Get matched with top roofers in Laurens, IA

For homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for a long time or never want to have to deal with replacing a roof again, rubber roof shingles are likely worth the added investment amount over asphalt shingle varieties. While the initial cost of installing a rubber shingle roof will be significantly higher, their long life spans can be worth it in the long term. Consider the curb appeal of a rubber roof, though, as other roofing materials, like metal, can look better and offer even greater value.

Tile and shingle roofs both have their pros and cons. In general, tile roofs are a larger upfront investment. In some cases, they can cost twice as much as shingles, but they last much longer and generally hold their value better than shingle roofs. Shingle roofs, on the other hand, are budget-friendly and quicker to install.

A roof pitch multiplier is an accurate way to calculate roof square footage, and it’s handy for purchasing the correct amount of materials. To determine your roof pitch multiplier, you'll need to calculate the roof slope, square it, and add it to 144. Next, find the square root of the total and divide it by 12. The answer is your roof pitch multiplier. Once you know the roof pitch multiplier, multiply it by the total square feet of your building to determine the total roof surface area.

If your roof has a vapor barrier, you will need approximately one square foot of roof vent for every 300 square feet of ceiling space. If there is no vapor barrier, the roof should have one square foot of roof vent for every 150 square feet of ceiling space. If you are not comfortable making this determination, a local roofing professional can help.