Synthetic vs Felt Roofing Underlayment: Which Should You Choose? Synthetic underlayment is the better choice for most roofing projects today – it’s lighter, tears less, resists mold better, and holds up longer if exposed to weather during installation. Felt underlayment (traditional tar paper) is still code-compliant and cheaper upfront, which is why it’s still used…
How Much Siding Do I Need? Complete Calculation Guide To calculate how much siding you need, measure the total square footage of each exterior wall, subtract the area of windows and doors, then add a 10-15% waste factor for cuts, corners, and overlap. Most homes need 1,200-2,400 square feet of siding depending on size and…
How to Measure Gutter Size – Complete Sizing Guide Most residential homes need either a 5-inch or 6-inch K-style gutter, sized according to your roof’s square footage and local rainfall intensity – not your home’s overall size. Undersized gutters overflow during heavy rain even when installed perfectly, while oversized gutters waste money on materials and…
Roof Replacement vs Roof Repair – When to Replace Your Roof Deciding between roof repair and full replacement depends on three factors: your roof’s age, the extent of damage, and the cost of repair relative to replacement. The industry standard “25% rule” provides a clear framework – if repair costs exceed 25% of what a…
Aluminum vs Vinyl Gutters – Which Is Right for Your Home? Aluminum gutters cost $8-$15 per linear foot installed and last 20-30 years. Vinyl gutters cost $5-$12 per linear foot and last 10-20 years. Aluminum is the better long-term choice for most US climates, while vinyl works well in mild regions where budget is the…
How Much Does a New Roof Cost in 2026? – Complete Price Breakdown A new roof costs between $9,500 and $18,000 on average in 2026 for a standard 2,000 sq ft home with architectural asphalt shingles, including materials, labor, and tear-off. Total costs range from $5,800 for a small simple roof to over $30,000 for…
What Is Roofing Underlayment and Do You Need It? Roofing underlayment is a water-resistant or waterproof material installed directly on your roof deck, beneath shingles or other roofing materials. It acts as a secondary barrier against rain, ice, and condensation – protecting your roof deck if shingles are damaged or water backs up under the…
How Much Do Gutters Cost in 2026? – Complete Price Guide Gutters cost between $8 and $20 per linear foot installed in 2026, depending on material, gutter style, and your region. For a typical single-story home needing 150-200 linear feet of gutters, total installation runs $1,200-$4,000. Use our free Gutter Calculator to estimate the exact…
Complete Roofing Materials List – Everything You Need for a Roof Replacement A complete roof replacement requires more than just shingles. You need underlayment, ice and water shield, drip edge flashing, roofing nails, ridge cap shingles, pipe boots, and ventilation components. This complete roofing materials list covers every item needed for a standard asphalt shingle…
How to Measure Roof Pitch – 5 Methods Without Going on the Roof You can measure roof pitch safely without climbing on the roof using 5 methods: the attic rafter method, the gable end measurement, a smartphone inclinometer app, speed square on the rake board, or Google Earth satellite imagery. The most accurate free method…
What Is a Good Roof Pitch? – Complete Guide for Every Roof Type A good roof pitch for most residential homes is between 4/12 and 6/12 – this range provides efficient water drainage, works with standard asphalt shingles, and remains safe for contractors to walk during installation and maintenance. The ideal pitch varies depending on…
3-Tab vs Architectural Shingles – Cost, Durability & Which to Choose Architectural shingles cost $35-$50 per bundle installed versus $25-$35 for 3-tab shingles – roughly 40-50% more upfront. But architectural shingles last 25-30 years longer, carry better wind ratings, and look significantly better on most homes. This guide compares both types across cost, durability, appearance,…
How Many Bundles of Shingles Do I Need? – Complete Guide You need 3 bundles of shingles for every roofing square (100 sq ft of roof area). For a 1,500 sq ft roof, that means approximately 45-52 bundles depending on your roof pitch and waste factor. Use our free Shingle Calculator to get an exact…
Vinyl vs Fiber Cement Siding – Cost, Durability & Which to Choose Vinyl siding costs $4-$12 per square foot installed, while fiber cement costs $8-$16 per square foot – making vinyl roughly 40-50% cheaper upfront. But cost alone does not tell the full story. This guide compares both materials across cost, durability, maintenance, appearance, and…
How Much Does Siding Cost in 2026? – Complete Price Guide Siding costs between $3 and $25 per square foot installed in 2026, with most homeowners spending $8,000 to $30,000 for a complete house residing project. The final cost depends on your chosen material, house size, and local labor rates. Use our free Siding Calculator…