How to Replace a Roof on a Garage?

Your garage's roof is the single most important structural element. Protected from wind, rain, snow, hail, and falling twigs and leaves, you can rest easy knowing that you and your belongings are safe inside. Damages from a leaking roof or the roof's general deterioration could cost a significant amount of money, putting a strain on your budget. The good news is that we'll show you how to replace the roof on a garage, so you won't have to worry about anything like that happening to you.

Which Roofing Material Is Best For Your Garage?

Think about how the rest of your family feels about the garage's kerb appeal before committing to a specific roofing material. You should think about how visible the garage is from the street, how securely attached it is to the house, and whether or not it is attached at all. Your home's kerb appeal and resale value may be affected by the condition of your garage roof if the garage is attached to your house. Keeping this in mind, let's examine some of the most popular choices for residential roofs:

Shingles Made Of Asphalt

When it comes to residential roofing, asphalt shingles are by far the most common. They are durable, affordable, and great roofing materials for storage sheds and garages. Three-tab shingles, dimensional shingles, and premium asphalt shingles are the most common types of asphalt shingles.

Metal Shingles

Roofing tiles, especially those fashioned from clay, are an underutilised but excellent option. Roofing materials like clay and concrete tiles are heavy, so they may not be the best option for your garage.

Corrugated Metal

Metal roofing is a good option for covering garage roofs due to its durability and longevity, but it is more expensive than other options.

Extra Parts And Equipment

As important as it is to choose the right material for your garage roof, you should also consider the other products and components it may need depending on its current state. A roof's decking, which protects the roof's surface from the elements, is another crucial part of a well-built roof. Don't forget that plywood is what we suggest using for the rafters of your roof. It is simple to swap out if it ever wears out, lasts a long time, and doesn't cost a fortune.

Even if the area above your garage is heated and cooled by the same system as the rest of your house, you should still insulate the roof. Avoiding this measure will prevent unnecessary energy waste and lower your monthly electricity costs. There are numerous factors that must be considered when installing insulation. This is why you should hire professional roofers with lots of experience to handle this part of the project for you.

What's Better, a Steep Gable or a Flat Roof?

Which roofing materials you can use depends on the pitch of your roof. Garages with steeply sloping roofs have the widest selection of roofing materials from which to choose. If your roof has a pitch of at least 2:12, you can choose from any of the three common types described above.

Roofs with a pitch of less than 2:12 (as measured from the horizontal to the vertical) are considered low-slope. Garage roofs don't have enough of a pitch for shingles to be practical. These roofs require specialised roofing materials, such as roll roofing or self-adhesive roof membranes.

If your roof is flat and you'd like to instal shingles or tiles, you'll need to have it sloped. Working with a reliable roofing company is your best bet in this kind of situation. To ensure you get the perfect garage roof for your needs, they will help you decide on the style, height, and pitch.

Garage Roof Replacement Cost?

One of the most crucial aspects to consider when calculating a project's budget is how much will be spent on supplies. You can easily control this factor, which is good news if you have a limited budget. Choosing materials with a lower total cost can allow you to save money and keep your spending under control. It's important to remember, too, that cheaper materials often don't last as long as their more expensive counterparts. Calculating the numerous other aspects of roof replacement is the next step after deciding on the sort of roofing material you wish to install.

The length of your garage is yet another crucial factor to think about. You can't do anything to change this. Simply calculating the price per square foot will give you a much more accurate idea of how much of each material you will need. In addition to roof size and material, there are a plethora of other variables that might impact the ultimate cost.

The flashing, vents, gutters and decking on your roof may also need to be replaced depending on their condition. How much this costs is dependent on the extent of the damage. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of data shown here, it's probably best to have trained roofers do the estimating for you.

Advice for Garage Renovations

Frame-Based Ad Blocking

Wallboard is not yet ready for most garages that have only rough structure. It's probable that you're lacking studs in the ceiling corners and at the drywall attachment points in your garage.

A good place to start looking for missing framing members is at the ceiling and wall intersections. These are the typical spots where some extra framing is needed. Ceiling blocking installation is depicted in these two images. While the framing is still easily accessible and your carpentry tools are within reach, you may want to add additional framing or structural components. Consequences could take any of the forms listed below.

• Blocking must be installed in the spaces between the studs for the shelves to be attached securely.
• Nailing the blocking between the ceiling trusses will allow you to hang things like lamps, extension cord reels, and bike hooks.
• Frame out a space large enough for an attic hatch.
• Frame in the ceiling at the appropriate height for a pull-down attic ladder.
• To accommodate a through-the-wall air conditioner, a hole must be cut and framed out in the wall.
• There is the option of installing glass panels or a dome-shaped skylight.

Replace And/Or Reposition Power Outlets And Rewire

As a rule, unfinished garages only have the barest minimum of electrical outlets and lighting, so you'll probably need to add more. Wiring that is fastened to the top or bottom of the studs or the ceiling framing may also need to be redirected.

The plastic-sheathed cable, the door opener wires, and the phone lines all had to be rerouted in our garage. Any exposed wires should be taken down and either reinstalled within the wall studs or redirected so that they travel above the ceiling joists or trusses. Drilling holes through the studs or the top plate of the wall may be necessary to reroute wires. The holes must then be precisely centred on the stud.

If the plastic-coated cables are too short to reach the next box after being redirected, you can simply add a junction box and an extra length of cable, and the system will function as before. The new box must be accessible through the attic or a concealed opening in the wall or ceiling. Installing new lighting, power outlets, and even a dedicated 20-amp circuit for power tools is a good idea while you're at it. Some of the possible electrical system upgrades are shown in Figure A.

The local building inspections department must issue a permit before any work can be done on an existing building's wiring. Before installing drywall or insulation, the wiring must also be inspected. We take it you don't want to hire someone to handle the wiring for you. A professional electrician's fee is more than justified when one considers the value of having more power outlets and better lighting.

Keep It Well-Air Conditioned and Insulated

Garages that have been adequately insulated will be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The first thing you should do is make sure there is enough airflow in the attic. You can count the number of roof and attic vents on your home. Soffit vents and roof vents should combine to create an opening area of 1 square foot (144 square inches) for every 300 square feet of attic space. If you're building a standard 20' wide by 22' deep garage, you'll need about six pieces of lumber that are 4' wide by 12' long.

In addition to the two conventional square roof vents, soffit vents are installed. Having vent chutes installed in the voids between the trusses will guarantee adequate airflow. The channel in vent chutes prevents newly installed blown-in insulation from blocking the airflow from the soffit vents into the attic. Wood or plastic blocking can be used to seal off the space under the vent, and then fibreglass insulation can be installed on top to keep the insulation from blowing into the soffit.

Our team recommends using friction-fit fibreglass batts to fill the stud spaces, a 4-millimetre-thick poly vapour retarder to cover the walls and ceiling, and blow-in insulation to fill the attic space after the drywall has been installed. Insulation made from cellulose is a viable option.

The first step is to install insulation in the walls. Insulate 2x4 walls with R-13 batts and 2x6 walls with R-19 batts, both without facings. Depending on the size of the studs, you can set the batt width to either 15-1/4 inches or 23-1/4 inches.

Make sure the batts are cut to fit the space exactly, and then staple 4-mil poly to the ceiling and walls. Once the caulk has dried around the outside of each section, the poly sheeting can be embedded in the caulk to form an airtight seal.

Seams between sheets should be sealed with caulk or special sheathing tape (which is typically red and looks like packing tape), and the poly should be sealed to the electrical boxes.

Insulation for the attic can be blown in after the drywall has been installed. Blown-in insulation can be purchased from hardware stores and some rental shops, and in exchange for your purchase, these businesses often offer the use of a blower for free or at a steep discount.

Close And Seal All Windows And Doors

Leaky doors and windows let draughts into the home, increasing the cost of heating and cooling the house and making living there unpleasant. Make sure the threshold and weather stripping at the base of your garage service door are in good condition and creating a tight seal.

In most cases, it is more cost-effective to simply replace an old service door with a newer model that has been upgraded to be weatherproof than to retrofit the existing door with a threshold and weather stripping. A metal prehung exterior door can be found at a reasonable price at most hardware stores and lumber yards.

Common sources of draughts and heat loss are the overhead garage door and windows. Weather-stripping stops have become standard on recently installed doors. However, some older doors may be missing the weatherstripping that is standard today. There is a straightforward answer, which is great news.

Garage door weather stripping is easy to instal and can be found at most hardware stores and home improvement stores. You can find insulation kits for your garage door online if you want to add some.

To Conclude, Drywall

Covering the garage ceiling with drywall is the easiest and cheapest option. It is recommended that you use 5/8-inch drywall if the distance between your trusses or rafters is 24 inches. We'll show you how to simplify the drywall-hanging process with a few simple tricks.

Before you can start hanging drywall, you must first remove the brackets that are holding up the garage door tracks and opener. This will make it much easier to instal the 4-mil poly and the ceiling drywall, and the final product will look much cleaner. You should start by carefully measuring and noting the current track and opener placement. Use the floor and the nearest wall as your measuring sticks. The garage door must then be closed and locked before the opener's plug is removed. Unscrew or unbolt the brackets holding the garage door tracks, and then pull them out.

Take off the garage door opener's brackets and set it up on a stepladder. The door opener could be dismantled and stored elsewhere if that's what's needed for convenience.

To fix the garage door track brackets, simply fasten a new length of angle iron to the ceiling in the right spot. Drive four 5/16-by-3-inch lag screws into the centre of each new ceiling angle iron and into the joist or wood blocking that has been screwed to the adjacent ceiling framing.

The second piece of guidance that will simplify the process of drywalling involves renting a drywall lift. Most places that rent things out will have them available. Load the sheet vertically onto the lift and rotate the platform so the sheet is lying flat before beginning work on the ceiling. Then, using the crank, pull the sheet up to the ceiling as you roll it into position. In addition, it can be used to dismantle barriers.

Required Tools For This Project

Before beginning this do-it-yourself project, ensure that you have all of the necessary tools prepared; doing so will save you both time and aggravation.

• Screwdriver Set with 4 Different Functions
• Wrench with a variable setting
• Caulk gun
• Chalk line
• Cordless drill
• Drywall saw
• Dust mask
• Level
• Miter saw
• Non-contact voltage tester
• Pliers
• Eye protection devices
• Socket/ratchet set
• Stapler
• Stepladder

Tips for Keeping Your Garage Roof in Good Shape.

Roof repairs for a garage may not seem urgent, but they are just as essential as annual inspections. If your garage is attached to your home, it is likely attached to your home's roof, which strengthens the house as a whole. Your vehicle, tools, and other equipment will be safer with this. Your home's protective outer layer could be compromised if the garage roof sustains damage.

A Primer on Garage Roofs

Oftentimes, a garage's roofing materials—flashing, shingles, gutters, and (in some cases) insulation—will mirror those of the main house. Because of the potential for heat transfer, insulation is a must if your garage is attached to your house, but thin insulation is typically recommended to maximise storage potential.

If the garage is detached from the house or located at the end of an alley, aesthetics may be less of an issue. The garage's roof, however, can add to the property's kerb appeal if it is visible from the street. The question is, what can you do to keep your garage in good working order?

Maintain Frequent Roof Inspections

The roof of your garage needs annual maintenance and inspections just like the roof of your home. Signs that a garage roof repair is needed include shingles that are cracked, missing, or curling; flashing that is buckled, rusty, bent, or missing; a sagging roof valley; or water leaking in through the roof.

In addition, look for edges that have been damaged because water has dripped down, remained adhered to the roof, and penetrated the underlayment or decking. The problem can be fixed by installing drip edges that let water run off without pooling and causing damage.

The building's structure could be compromised if a minor leak were to go unchecked for an extended period of time. The rafters and beams of a building can rot if rainwater seeps inside. As soon as you notice a problem, no matter how small, you should fix it so that it doesn't grow into something bigger, like a leak that needs to be fixed or even a new roof.

Carefully consult an expert.

Garage roof repairs can be avoided if homeowners maintain their roofs by clearing out the gutters and downspouts on a regular basis. Keeping your garage roof clear of debris like moss, dead leaves, and algae is essential for proper water drainage during rainstorms.

Things to Consider When Fixing a Leaking Garage Roof

Things to Think About

The roof of your garage is very similar to the roof of your home in many respects. Therefore, you can expect to spend about the same amount per square (100 square feet) to replace the roof as if you were doing so on your own property.

The average cost to install three-tab shingles is about $500 per square foot across the country. Roof repair costs, on the other hand, can have a much broader range, typically beginning at $200 per square foot and going up from there. The price to fix a garage's roof can vary greatly.

Garages, unfortunately, usually necessitate more preparation than the roof of a house. If, for some reason, the garage is not attached to the main house, its roof may have a completely different pitch and structure than the roof of the main house.

Garages can have either a flat roof or an A-frame roof, though the prevalence of each style varies by region. The decision of whether to repair or replace the roof, and the associated costs, can be heavily influenced by these factors.

Sheltered Carports with Flat Roofs

If your garage has a flat roof, it will likely be much cheaper to have it re-roofed than other garages with sloped roofs. Reason being, less than $1 per square foot is the average cost of the materials used to construct a flat roof.

However, depending on how old the roof is, it might be more cost-effective to replace it entirely rather than make repairs; many flat roofs have a lifespan of just ten years, so if they're getting up there in age, replacement is inevitable. However, if the damaged area is small, it may be more cost effective to simply repair it than to replace the entire roof.

Garages in an A-Frame or High-Pitch Style

If your garage is older or was built at the same time as your house, it may have a steeper pitch or the shape of an A-frame, especially in more rural areas. This framework is perfect for easing the burden of snow removal in colder climates, but it makes garage roof repairs more challenging and costly. A leaking roof can often spell disaster for the entire garage because it is the supporting structure for the walls and overhang.

The water could otherwise drip down the rafters and pool against the garage's walls, so this precaution is essential. The water's path means that you'll have to do more than just fix the roof; you'll need to fix the foundation, walls, and plumbing as well. A steeper roof's pitch means more work and money when it needs fixing or replacing.

Proper Maintenance And Repairs

In a perfect world, you would also check the garage roof once a year alongside the roof on your house. If you notice curling shingles, missing, cracked, or if there are signs of water infiltration on the underside of the roof, it is time to call for garage roof repair. Roofing work should be contacted if any of these issues are discovered. Remember that ignoring a minor issue can lead to a major one, and that a cheap roof fix could end up costing you a lot more in the long run if left unattended.

Conclusion

Roofing shingles made of asphalt are the standard for homes. Metal roofing is a good choice for garages because it lasts a long time and can withstand harsh weather conditions. We recommend using Pylwood for your roof's rafters because it is inexpensive and simple to replace if it ever wears out. A greater variety of roofing options are available for garages with steeply sloping roofs. There are three main types to pick from, and all of them will work with a roof pitch of at least 2:12.

Your best bet in this situation is to hire a reputable roofing company. An unfinished garage may require extra framing or structural components. It's also possible that you'll have to rewire your home or instal new lights and plugs. It may be necessary to make holes in the wall's studs or top plate in order to reroute wires. Insulated garages will be more comfortable year-round, with reduced heat gain in the summer and loss of heat during the winter.

To ensure sufficient ventilation, vent chutes should be installed in the spaces between the trusses. The cost of hiring a professional electrician is more than covered by the convenience of having extra plugs installed. It is simplest and most cost-effective to cover the ceiling with drywall using the dry-wall method. Caulk or special sheathing tape should be used to seal the seams between drywall sheets, and the poly sheeting can be embedded in the caulk to create an airtight seal. First, you need to remove the garage door opener from its brackets and place it on a stepladder.

To attach the joist or wood blocking, drill pilot holes for four 5/16-by-3-inch lag screws. Attach a fresh section of angle iron to the ceiling in the appropriate location. Just like the roof on your house, the roof on your garage needs to be inspected and serviced once a year. Cleaning out the gutters and downspouts on a regular basis is an easy preventative measure that can keep a homeowner from having to spend money on garage roof repairs. Three-tab shingles have a national average cost of about $500 per square foot to instal. You can expect to pay a lot less to have your garage re-roofed if it has a flat roof, as opposed to a sloped roof. Your garage roof may have a steeper pitch or an A-frame shape if it is older or was constructed at the same time as your home.

Content Summary

1. The top of your garage is the most critical part of the building.
2. Before deciding on a roofing material for the garage, you should consider how the rest of your family feels about its kerb appeal.
3. If your garage is attached to your house, its roof's condition can have an impact on your home's kerb appeal and its resale value.
4. Supplemental Materials and Tools In addition to the roofing material, your garage may require additional products and components.
5. Remember that the rafters of your roof should be made of plywood.
6. Insulation installation is complicated by a wide range of factors.
7. It is impractical to use shingles on a garage roof because of the low slope.
8. They will consult with you to determine the ideal style, height, and pitch for your garage roof.
9. Supplies costs are a major factor to think about when estimating a project's overall cost.
10. After deciding what kind of roofing material you want to instal, you should then calculate the many other aspects of roof replacement.
11. One more essential consideration is the length of your garage.
12. You should probably have professional roofers do the estimating for you if the amount of information presented here makes you feel overwhelmed.
13. Renovation Tips for the Garage Ad-Blocking in Frames Most garages that are currently only rough-built cannot be finished with wallboard because it is still in the production phase.
14. If you look closely at the ceiling corners and the places where the drywall is attached, you will probably notice that you are missing studs.
15. Searching the intersections of the ceiling and walls is a good place to look for missing framing members.
16. These two pictures show examples of where ceiling blocking is typically installed.
17. You may decide to add more framing or structural components while you still have access to the skeleton and your carpentry tools are still within easy reach.
18. To ensure the shelves are firmly fastened, blocking must be installed in the voids between the studs.
19. Lamps, extension cord reels, and bike hooks can all be hung from the ceiling by nailing blocking in between the trusses.
20. Lay out a frame for the attic hatch.
21. Cut a hole for the pull-down attic ladder at the proper height in the ceiling.
22. A through-the-wall air conditioner requires a hole to be framed out and the drywall to be cut away.
23. It's common for unfinished garages to lack even the most basic of amenities like electrical outlets and lighting, so you may need to instal some.
24. It may also be necessary to reroute wiring that is currently fastened to the studs or ceiling framing at the top or bottom.
25. In our garage, we had to rewire the door opener, move the phone lines, and reroute the plastic-coated cable.
26. While you're at it, you should also upgrade the lighting, electrical outlets, and possibly run a separate 20-amp circuit just for power tools.
27. Figure A depicts a few of the potential upgrades to the electrical system. Before any wiring work can be done on an existing building, a permit must be issued by the local building inspections department.
28. It is also important to check the wiring before putting up any drywall or insulation.
29. If you want more outlets and better lighting, hiring a professional electrician is money well spent.
30. To begin, check the attic ventilation to make sure it is adequate.
31. A specific number of roof and attic vents can be identified in your house.
32. One square foot (144 square inches) of opening area from soffit vents and roof vents should be installed for every 300 square feet of attic space.
33. Soffit vents are set up in addition to the two standard square roof vents.
34. Air can flow freely from the soffit vents into the attic thanks to the channel in the vent chutes, even after new blown-in insulation has been installed.
35. Insulating the walls is the first order of business.
36. For unfaced 2x4 walls, use R-13 batts, and for unfaced 2x6 walls, use R-19 batts.
37. When the caulk has dried around each section's perimeter, the poly sheeting can be inserted into the caulk to create a watertight seal.
38. After the drywall is up, the attic can have insulation blown in.
39. Assuring a tight seal at the bottom of your garage service door begins with a properly functioning threshold and weather stripping.
40. Replacing an older service door with a newer model that has been upgraded to be weatherproof is typically more cost-effective than retrofitting the existing door with a threshold and weather stripping.
41. Both the overhead garage door and the windows can be major heat loss and draught generators.
42. If you want to insulate your garage door, you can buy a kit for doing so online.
43. Finally, Drywall Drywall is the most practical and inexpensive material for covering the garage ceiling.
44. In this article, we will demonstrate some easy methods that will make hanging drywall a breeze.
45. You'll need to take down the garage door tracks and opener from their brackets before you can start hanging drywall.
46. The garage door tracks can be removed by first releasing the screws or bolts holding them in place.
47. First, you need to remove the garage door opener from its brackets and place it on a stepladder.
48. Simply attach a new section of angle iron to the ceiling in the appropriate location to repair the garage door track brackets.
49. Renting a drywall lift is the second piece of advice that can make drywalling easier.
50. Making sure you have everything on hand before beginning this DIY project will save you time and energy.
51. If your garage is joined to your house, it probably rests on the roof, adding structural support.
52. This will ensure the security of your vehicle, tools, and other equipment.
53. If your garage roof gets damaged, the protective layer of your home could be compromised.
54. An Explanatory Guide to Garage Covers Flashing, shingles, gutters, and (in some cases) insulation on a garage roof will typically be identical to those used on the primary structure.
55. But if the garage roof is visible from the street, it can boost the property's kerb appeal.
56. It is important to perform regular checks on your roof. Just like the roof on your house, the roof on your garage needs to be inspected and serviced once a year.
57. The A-frame roof is more common in some areas while flat roofs are more common in others when it comes to garages.
58. These factors can have a significant impact on the decision of whether to repair or replace the roof, and the associated costs.
59. High-pitched or A-framed garages More common in rural areas, garages built at the same time as their homes may have a steeper pitch or an A-frame shape.
60. Because it provides structural support for the garage's walls and overhang, a leaking roof can quickly lead to the collapse of the building as a whole.
61. Consistent Upkeep and Fixes In a perfect world, annual roof inspections would include both the main house roof and the garage roof.
62. Curling, missing, or cracked shingles as well as water damage on the roof's underside are all signs that garage roof repair is needed.
63. Keep in mind that putting off even a small roof repair could lead to much larger expenses down the road if the problem is ignored.