FAQs
How long should a roof last?
Like any building component, roofs degrade at different rates depending on a large number of factors: the quality of original construction, the level of abuse, the level of maintenance, appropriateness of design, etc. So how long should a roof last? We have seen poorly designed and installed roofs go as few as six or seven years before they failed, and we have seen old coal tar built up roofs that were over 60 years old. Most building owners, roofing contractors, and designers feel 20 years is an acceptable service life.
How much does a new roof cost?
The best way to determine how much your new roof is going to cost it to contact Lyons Roofing for a free estimate. There is a lot that goes into a new roof and pricing varies from home to home, application to application.
I hate the color of my shingles. Can I paint them?
Yes, you can but it's not advisable. Shingles lose their granules over time. What you can easily wind up with is a splotchy looking roof. Keep them painted every few years, though and you'll be okay. Another thing, shingles are made so that there are variations in coloring. With a painted roof, there will be no variations. It will be all one color.
Some people are telling me to use organic shingles, and others are telling me fiber glass shingles. What's the difference and which do I use?
What you choose to use is up to you. Most roofers in the northern parts of the country prefer the organic shingles, while the southern parts prefer the fiber glass shingles. The fiber glass shingles are easier to work with and the organic shingles have more asphalt and are heavier and more expensive to manufacture.
The roofer didn't remove the little plastic strip from the back of my shingles. Should this have been removed?
No, it does not need to be removed. That particular brand of shingle is designed so that the sealant seals right through the strip. The strip is there to help keep the shingles from sticking together before they're installed.
I did some repairs to my roof and noticed there is no roofing felt under them. Is this the correct way to install shingles?
No, it is not. Unless it's an overlay (recover), there should be felt underlayment separating the roofing materials and the deck. Many home builders install roofs this way so that they can save money. It is frowned upon by the National Roofing Contractors Association, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association and any roofer with integrity.
Underlayment provides a vapor barrier between the roof deck and the shingles, is a secondary waterproofing element of the roof, and prevents the wood deck from leaching oils from the asphalt shingles.