Season

The cost of roofs in our Mountain West region varies greatly based on several factors. There are several factors that make the project more or less difficult. This can include things like the season to the pitch (or steepness) of your roof. Naturally, the size of your roof, material, and level of complexity (many facets and angles) all affect cost.

Materials

Most roofs in Idaho tend to have asphalt shingles. These are more common because there isn’t really any maintenance as long as the roof was installed properly. As far as asphalt shingles, we prefer Malarkey as they have proven to manufacture a superior product and lead the industry with the following:

• Increased nail strip size (“The Zone”), which allows for a larger target, ensures your home receives an efficient and proper installation and proper wind protection.
• Smog-reducing granules. Time Magazine did an article on Malarkey shingles, calling them The Best Invention of 2018. The smog reduction equation is as follows: For every 10 squares of shingles (or 1000 square feet) installed on a roof is the equivalent to one mature spruce tree in its effects on pollution).
• Polymer-modified asphalt, which allows for greater elasticity and granule retention. On a hot summer day, we have even seen it regain its original shape after someone had stepped on the shingle. Malarkey Roofing Products also contain recycled products. The polymer uses plastics extracted from milk jugs, and for every 1000 square feet of Malarkey roofing products, they contain approximately five tires worth of recycled tires.
• The tapered shim reduces the likelihood of troughing.
• Larger reveal, which actually provides more covered area reducing overall cost whereas some companies covered area is slightly smaller and requires you to purchase more of their product. In other words, when purchasing shingles to cover a standard 10′ x 10′ area, Malarkey shingles gets you 10′ x 10′ (100% of a square unit) of covered area whereas other companies come up just short (around 98%), causing you to have to purchase more shingles.
• Carbon Black. Malarkey also uses Carbon Black in the asphalt of their shingles, which reduces erosion from the sun and aids in granule retention and longevity of your shingles.
• Recycled Products.

You may also see the occasional wood shake roof. While they may seem to be a fire hazard, wood shakes are saturated in chemicals that aid in fire resistance and reduce moss and molds for years and years. That being said, they are still made of wood and susceptible to fire. While wood shake is beautiful, it does take more work to maintain; however, if maintained properly, they are a lifetime roof.

You still see some tar and ballast (gravel) roofs on shallow pitched roofs. It can be difficult to find contractors who will install this type of roof. Many of these roofs were installed many years ago and require a lot of maintenance. They are susceptible to shrinkage and cracking. They are heavy and cause can be the source of sagging or bowing in your roof structure. We prefer an EPDM or TPO roof. EPDM and TPO are often installed over a foam deck, which is lightweight and adds to the insulation value of your home, helping you save on energy costs.

Metal roofs are great because they are the most long-lasting, and while they generally cost about twice as much as asphalt shingle roofs and do come with their own maintenance items. It is proper to maintain a metal roof every 5 years, ensuring screws are tight, washers have not deteriorated, rubber washers are not cracked, and any seams that may have opened through the season are sealed. They also offer several different styles, such as delta rib/tough rib, which will be much cheaper than a metal shingle, metal tile, or a standing seam. Metal roofs also have the capacity to last over 100 years and typically hold up better under harsher climates with large amounts of snow.

TPO and EPDM are most commonly used for commercial roofs. Commercial roofs are typically more expensive than residential roofs. When it comes to commercial roofs, there are generally three major factors that account for this difference: Materials, expertise, and size of the project. Materials for a commercial project are more expensive than residential roofs. Commercial roofs also require more expertise and are usually larger than residential projects.

New Roof VS. Existing Roof

Do you have a new build or a pre-existing roof? New roofs are cheaper to do than replacing an existing roof due to the fact that there is no existing roof to tear off, clean up, or dispose of. We at CCX Roofing do not believe in cutting corners. Simply put, we tear off every roof we install. There have only been certain circumstances where we have installed new material over existing materials. In these circumstances, we cannot offer our standard warranty.