Types of Roof Warranties
Extended Manufacturer Warranties
You probably shouldn't consider hiring a contractor that isn't registered with the manufacturer of the roofing materials going on your roof. Roofing contractors that are registered / certified by the roofing manufacturer have the abilities to offer homeowners extended warranties on well-equipped roofing systems.
For instance, you can achieve a 50 Year Lifetime warranty with Owen's Corning or GAF roof shingle systems; but only when you match a certain number of vital components to the same manufacturer. Many of these roof components offer lasting protection to your Tucson roof, which in turn gives your material manufacturer the confidence to back the product for a lifetime; but only when installed by a trusted roofer in Arizona.




The Homeowner's Guide to Roof Replacement: Things You Should Know Before
A roof replacement is a significant and costly home improvement project that deserves careful consideration. There's a wealth of information to absorb in order to make informed decisions, ease worries, understand your expenditures, and so much more, so you can feel confident about such a major investment.
Getting all the information you need about replacing your roof is as simple as asking the right questions. The challenge lies in knowing what to even ask when you're looking for the right answers.
This is ABRC's : The Homeowner's Guide to Roof Replacement, your go-to guide for everything you need to know before you replace your roof. Feel free to browse at your own pace for a complete understanding, or utilize the table of contents to navigate directly to specific roofing details.
Sections:
Exclusive for homeowners in the Tucson area: this guide will teach you everything there is to know about investing in a new roof system.
Hiring A Great Roofing Contractor
Learn what to ask and what red flags to look out for
Getting 3 Different Quotes
Discover the 4-Step process to obtaining 3 roofing bids
When does a roof system reach the end of it's lifecycle?
The lifecycle or lifespan of your desert roofing system depends on a few factors:
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Quality of material
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Roof ventilation
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Quality of the Install
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Maintenance habits (bad ones)
If your roof appears to have signs of decay... Odds are it's reached the end of its lifespan. Here's how long each roof system can last; but in Tucson, Arizona.
20-30 Years
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Architectural Shingles
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Tile roof w/ Premium Underlayment
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Built-Up Roof w/ premium roof coating
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TPO Roof
10-15 Years
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Single-Ply Built-Up roof w/ elastomeric coating
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Tile roofing FELT underlayment
35+ Years
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Standing Seam Metal Roof
Tile roof w/ Ultra Premium Underlayment -
Premium Shingles
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TPO Roof w/ thicker mil
15-20 Years
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3-Tab Shingles (disc.)
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Mod-Bit Granulated Roof system
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Spray foam roof w/ premium coating
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Exposed fastener Metal Roof

When do I know I need a new roof?
Waiting for your roof to start leaking doesn't make it last any longer, this only increases your chances of mold growing. On the other hand, some homeowners are skeptical because they've ran across dishonest or inexperienced contractors.
Some roofing systems in Tucson, such as: built-up roofs, spray foam roofs, some metal roofs, and TPO roofs can be restored when they get closer to that lifespan expiration date.
Signs that your roof is on it's last breath
Loss of granules, missing shingles, curling/buckling, cracks, fiber-wire sticking through, and heavy storm damage
Shingle Roof
Pooling/standing water, "soft"/spongy areas, excessive amounts of black tar/adhesives visible heavy storm damage
Built-Up Roof w/ Elastomeric Coating
If your roof is leaking and you have silicone coating, the only option is to replace. Unfortunately nothing, not even silicone, adheres to silicone :(
Built-Up Roof w/ Silicone Coating
Your spray foam has huge blisters, unevenness that traps water, and/or is completely exposed and drying up.
Spray Foam Roof w/ Coating
Fasteners are failing / falling, rust, and buckling
Corrugated / Ribbed Metal Panels
The underlayment beneath the tiles is the most vital component. The only way it's condition is to have an experienced roofing contractor inspect your tile roof's underlayment.
Tile Roof
*Blown off tiles are not signs that you need all new tiles*
Concrete/Clay tiles them are designed to last 50+ years. They are natural materials w/ no watertightness warranty.
Did you know?
When should I replace my roof?
A reputable contractor should advise you to look into replacing your roof when you've reached about 80% of its lifespan. This is because our dry heat affects all building components and tends to accelerate your roof's lifespan.
For the new roof, you may want to look into a Cool Series material or something more flexible than you had before. Flexible & reflective roofs perform best in Tucson's climate.





Not even the toughest of roofs can survive a really bad monsoon storm.
If a recent storm has affected your area, it is likely that your entire roof system may have been affected. You should not rely on what your eyes can see from the ground. If your neighbors are chirping about it, you should likely get your roof checked, too.
Storm damages are covered by your insurance provider
If you have homeowner's insurance, your roof likely covered by your policy provider. You must act fast because they may hold you accountable for lack of damage mitigation.
If your roof blew off, make sure to:
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Mitigate / Control the Damage. Tarps and sandbags are ideal for this.
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File A Claim
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Meet w/ Your Adjuster
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Do your research on local roofers
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Collect Insurance Funds
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Hire a Roofing Contractor




Have you seen roofers in your neighborhood lately?
If you've noticed a new trend in your neighborhood: roofers on roofs, then you should take this as your first sign that you should have your roof inspected if you haven't already.
The homes in your neighborhood were all likely built within five years of one another. If you sense that your roof may be upwards of 20+ years old, there's a chance you may be the next neighbor due for an upgrade.

Fascia / Eave Repairs
Fascia boards are trickier to distinguish dry-rot from aged / peeling paint. Regardless, the fascia boards must also be strong enough to also be nail-able. Fascia / eave boards are the structural component that your plywood and drip edge is nailed to.
These repairs add to the bottom line because the additional carpentry work + delivery of materials. Fascia boards range in size so this can also add to the costs of replacement. Roofing contractors normally charge by the linear foot on this and may charge more depending on the hazard and the difficulties involved in reaching the fascia boards.
Decking Repairs
It is absolutely vital that your new roofing system is installed over a solid and suitable substrate. The surface must be nail-able and suitable for adhesive roofing products. If any sheets are spongy, damaged by moisture, dry-rot, or warping, these are signs that the sheet must be replaced.
Substrates that most manufacturers consider suitable are: OSB / Plywood (1/2" min), plank / tongue & groove boarding (1"), concrete, and sometimes metal decking. Roofing companies normally charge by the sheet of 4'x'8' plywood decking or by the linear foot for plank boarding substrates.




Pitched Roof Components
Universal Roof Components
Roof Decking
This is the roof substrate (sheathing). The most common decking types in Tucson are: OSB, CDX, CCX, Plank boarding and tongue/groove. This is the structural component that attaches to your home's trusses.
Ice & Water Barrier
This barrier adds an extra layer of protection to your roof's most sensitive areas. Things like transitions, valleys, and pitch breaks should all get this material.
Roof Flashings
Cricket
This structural component diverts water away from walls and other vertical changes on your roof. These are most common on chimneys and flat roofs with parapet walls.
These are typically made of metal and are roofing components designed to shield joints and other components from water intrusion. Examples are: drip edge, valley, Z-bar, & counter flashings.

Flat Roof Components
Underlayment
This is the vapor barrier that goes directly above your decking to provide additional protection to your roof system. This is the main component for waterproofing tile roof systems
Pipe Boots
These terminate the round tubes that stick out of your roof. A metal/rubber boot protects this vertical joint from leaking.
Ridge Cap
This is the trim piece of roof material installed where two slopes meet to form the "ridge/hip".
Roof Vents
These vents allow fresh air to regulate the temperature of your crawl/attic space. Usually "T-Tops", Static Vents, Mechanical Vents, Ridge Vent, etc.

The 7 factors that go into your roof replacement costs
There are several factors and project aspects that are accounted for when calculating the true costs of your roof replacement. These 7 factors are:
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The overall size of your roof
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The type and quality of material
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The complexity of your roof
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Level of workmanship provided
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Decking / fascia repairs needed
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Waste / delivery fees
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Roofing company overhead


Overall size of your roof(s)
Like most home improvement projects, the more materials you need, the more it's going to cost. But it's more than roof slope measurements; transitions, vertical changes, and other tricky areas on your roof system must also be accounted for.
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Total SQFT of roofing slopes
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Total LFT of valleys & transitions
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Total LFT of hips & ridges
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Total LFT of all fascia & eaves
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Total LFT of all wall & vertical changes
Type and quality of materials
Rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. Not all roof systems in Tucson are the same. The type, style, and quality of the materials will be a driving factor for the overall costs of your roof replacement for your home in Southern Arizona.
Price Range:
$4 - $6 / SqFt
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Architectural Shingles
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Overlay Installations such as: Spray Foam Roof + TPO w/ recovery board
Price Range:
$5 - $10 / SqFt
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Concrete Tile Roof
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Spray Foam Roof (SPF)
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Built-Up Roof (BUR)
Price Range:
$5 - $10 / SqFt
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Concrete Tile Roof
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Spray Foam Roof (SPF)
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Built-Up Roof (BUR)
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TPO Roof
Price Range:
$10 - 18 / SqFt
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Standing seam metal roof
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Composite Shingles
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Metal (diamond) Shingles
Price Range:
$18 - $25+ / SqFt
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Natural Slate Roof
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Spanish Clay Tile Roof
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Cedar Shake Roof
$1.50 - $3.50 / SqFt
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Flat roof coating
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Metal roof coating
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Spray foam roof coating
Frequently asked questions
Complexity of your roof
Your roof was designed with characteristics and components that are unique to your home. If your roof system has a plethora of transitions, pitch changes, and vertical changes, this will affect the costs of your roof replacement.
A whole lot of time and skill is invested in waterproofing your home while improving its curb appeal. Your home may have: excessively steep slopes, many valleys, roof slope transitions, many skylights, or other complex penetrations that are sensitive to your roof and require additional workmanship to watertight.

Level of workmanship warranty
The roofing contractor in Tucson that you hire will determine the level of peace of mind you'll have after replacing your roof. Your contractor should be offering lifetime system warranties on their proposed roofing systems. If they are not, then they don't hold the proper certifications necessary by roof material manufacturers.
If you hire a reputable contractor, they should be offering you 10 year workmanship warranties on their work. If they are not, they likely lack confidence in the roofing work they're doing for you. It's hard to place a value on peace of mind; but hiring a trusted contractor in Tucson may be worth it in the end.


It pays to be proactive
Interior leaks should be treated as a high importance matter for the sake of your health. Trapped moisture eventually grows into mold and this can spread, the longer you wait to fix your roof.
Roofs should be inspected at least twice per year to ensure that nothing is affecting the system from keeping 100% of moisture out. Keep in mind, materials can't do their job if they are not properly maintained.



Waste & deliveries
Before you get a new roof, it is likely that you'll be tearing the existing roof off. This remnants of your old roof would then be hauled away to a local landfill or recycling facility depending on the roofing system.


