Get matched with top roofers in Templeton, IA

Most Cape Cod houses are two stories tall at the peak, although they’re considered one-and-a-half stories tall because the steep roof pitch cuts off a portion of the living space on the second story. Unless you raise the roof on your Cape Cod house to add a dormer, the interior rooms upstairs will lose some usable living space to the sloped ceilings.

Depending on the condition of your roof, you may be able to add flashing to it. If you’re looking for a way to maintain its integrity while saving some money, you should ask a roofing pro if this is an option. Keep in mind that if your roof is in poor shape, a full replacement may be necessary before flashing is installed.

You can replace a roof in the winter, though it’s not the most popular time to do so. The biggest drawback of winter roofing work is the weather. Snow and ice make for dangerous, slippery working conditions. Plus, shingles can only be installed in temperatures above 40 to 45 degrees. 

The best time to replace a roof is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild. However, you can likely save some money by booking the job in the winter off-season, when roofers have more availability. 

A roof replacement can take anywhere from one to 14 days. For most homes, a full replacement that includes tearing off old materials takes about one to two days, though the average project can last up to 12 days. The exact timeline depends on several factors, including the roof's size and complexity, the type of roofing material, the crew size, and weather conditions. Certain materials take longer to install; for example, metal roofs can take seven to 14 days because the material is more difficult to work with than asphalt shingles, wood, or tile. A re-roofing project, where new shingles are installed over old ones, can take half the time or less. It's also important to factor in the time needed to obtain necessary permits. A professional roofing contractor will typically complete the job faster than a DIY approach.