Hi All
This is my first post on this site. I live in Massachusetts and I have a question on roofing.
My roof has some active leaks and need to be replaced. It is an asphalt roof that is only nine years old but is seen better days. Anyway, currently the house has gable vents and two roof vents near the ridge. There is no ridge vent.
Q)I was told the two roof vents are actually impeding the ventilation because they create “short-cycling” and so the middle of the roof is not venting properly. Is this true?Should I remove them and leave the gables?
Q)Are architectural shingles better than regular three-tab ashpalt.? Are they much pricier?Worth it?
Q)what are typical prices to expect for complete tear-off and replace on a small (somewhere around 1000 sq ft of roof)Cape with two dormers,chimney,and multiple vents going through the roof.
Q)What if plywood decking needs to be replaced because of the leaks. How much more can I expect to pay?
thanks in advance.
-Maggie
Replies
Hi Maggie.....welcome to Breaktime.
It may be a regional thing, but I`m not surewhat you mean by a "roof vent".....I`m picturing an attic vent popping through the roof in a random location. You`ll likely get conflicting advice on this topic. Here`s my take. For an unfinished attic, gable vents at either end combined with ridge vents works nicely. If the space is finished, close up the gables and install continueous soffit venting along with the ridge vent. The roof/attic vent(s) need to go.
Architectural shingles are considerably better than three tab......figure to pay aprox. 1/3 more for them....but they are worth it....especially if your existing shingles are failing after only nine years.
Prices are going to vary in differing localles...around here (NY), a complete tear off and install of archy shingles for the roof you`ve described would likely fetch between seven and nine thousand. Plywood repair costs would depend upon actual damage.
Can you see the underside of the roof deck from inside your attic? If its not damaged and you`ve only got one layer of shingles on the roof currently, you might consider installing right over what you`ve got and almost half the cost. (Without seeing it myself, I only suggest you consider it.....speak to your roofer and get his take.)
All the best.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I just renovated a house that had both ridge vents and roof vents, judging by the thick layer of dust in the attic, they ventilated the area just fine .. but this place had no soffit vents, if you have soffit vents I would plug the gable ones ..
Maggie, I live in Mass. & would suggest that you have an Ice & water shield like Grace installed on the eaves & around the dormers at least. I generally cover the entire roof area on my jobs,as it provides additional protection from ice buildup in these trouble areas especially in the rough New England winters. Most people nowdays use the Architectural shingles, as they look better, but shingle thickness is more important than look. My view is you want to do it once, so get someone who's reputable & will do it right, even if it costs you a little more. I agree with the other posters on the ventilation info