Roof Painting Cost & Contractor Quotes
In this roof painting cost guide, you will find detailed information on how much it costs to paint a roof as well as 4 free contractor quotes.
The roof of your house is one of the integral parts of your home. It is your defense against external elements such as snow, rain, excess heat, wind among many others. This critical part of construction on top of your house is not only functional, but it is also an exterior part of your house that defines your home. From time to time, you will find yourself dealing with various roof-maintenance processes to keep it functional, aesthetically appealing and increase its lifespan.
Typically, the roof of your house is among one of the first things most people notice when they step into your home. Thus, on top of making sure, that its functional, your roof should be attractive enough to define the exterior of your home alongside the other aspects of your home.
As a homeowner, you will be faced with roof repairs such as replacing missing or separated shingles, roof leaks, missing roof flashing, damaged gutters and downspouts among many others. These are necessary repairs that can prevent structural damages. But, even with repairs, your roof may start looking old, dirty and dingy. That’s how the aspect of roof painting comes about. Roof painting is one of the necessary roof maintenance processes that not only make your home look attractive, but ensures the structural integrity of your home.
Most people might be mistaken to think that roof painting is only meant for external beatification. While it’s true that painting your room does improve the aesthetic appeal of the exterior part of your home, it’s also worth noting that this is not the only role the painting work plays on your roof. Roof painting plays a significant role in the longevity of your roof.
To have a long-lasting home, you need to have a well-maintained roof. Constant timely roof repairs and roof painting are some of the appropriate roof maintenance routines that will ensure that you have a long-lasting and solid home. Technically, the roof is meant to last for decades under ideal conditions. However, factors such as environmental elements and changing conditions may affect the quality and the appearance of your roof. Such effects and changes on your roof does not mean you need to replace your roof altogether.
If your roof appears to be still in good shape, but it’s looking worn out and dingy, painting it can transform it and give it a new lease on life. Instead of having your roof replaced; if it’s in good conditions, you can do minor repairs and then paint it.
Roof painting is a great home improvement project that will make your home look attractive at a lower price compared to the cost of replacing the entire roof. More so, you can paint any type of roof including metal roofs, terracotta tiles, and concrete tiles. The costs of roof painting may vary depending on the type of roof you have, but when you look at the cost of replacing a roof, roof painting remains inexpensive and cost-effective.
Benefits of Roof Painting
Most homeowners take roof repairs seriously and ensure that their gutters are regularly cleaned. But, if you have not painted your roof, you need to look beyond the repairs and consider this project as your next home improvement task. Roof painting comes with lots of benefits for your home. If you are planning on a roof painting project, read the points below to get a grasp on how roof painting can be beneficial to your roof and your home altogether. Roof painting is gaining recognition among many homeowners and for good reasons. Let’s look at the benefits of roof painting and the reasons why you should have this home improvement project on your to-do list.
Extend Your Roof Life
Roof painting is an excellent way of extending the lifespan of your roof. Painting acts as a coating to the surface of your roof and consequently enhances its condition making it survive the harsh environmental elements without wearing down. Painting protects your roof and makes it able to endure the weight of external elements such as snow, heat, and rain.
Most paints are formulated to adhere to different types of roof surfaces. A paint job can help your roof survive through different weather conditions without deteriorating. In fact, experts point out a that a properly painted roof can last for decades without succumbing to external elements.
As a homeowner, your desire it’s to have your home’s structural aspects last for decades without major breakdowns. The roof, being one of the critical structural parts of a home, should give you long-lasting service. By coating your roof, you will be giving it a new lease on life. You will be able to enjoy the long service of your roof for a long time without worrying about an expensive roof replacement.
A high-quality roof should last for at least two decades or more. A regular painting will give it a coating that will see your roof extend its life-span to almost 40 years. This will not only cut on the frequency of repairs, but it will also save on replacement costs and significantly protect the structural integrity of your roof.
Provides Protection Against Early Roof Degradation
One of the advantages of painting your roof is that the paintwork gives it a protective coating. This coating provides protection for the roof against ultraviolet rays and infrared heat degradation. Temperature changes between day and night and ultraviolet radiation can heavily impact on the condition of the roof and have a devastatingly damaging effect on the roof.
When you paint your roof, the coating provides reflective properties such that when the sun hits the roof, it radiates back to the atmosphere and reduces solar heat gain. This way, your roof maintains constant temperature resulting in fewer damages hence a prolonged roof service.
Reduces Energy Consumption
Roof painting is particularly beneficial to homeowners who live in areas that experience high temperatures or regions that experience extremely high temperatures in summer. When the sunrays heat a painted rooftop, it will radiate the rays which will bounce back to the atmosphere, almost 80% of the sun’s rays.
Therefore, if you paint your roof, the coating will reflect the heat, and subsequently lower the heat passage from your roof to the house thus reducing energy consumption. This way, you will be making significant energy savings during summer no matter how hot the weather gets. In fact, if you live in hot climates, you can have almost 50% reduction in your energy costs. More so, you will reduce your dependency on your cooling system which by extension reduces air pollution. Thus, by painting your roof you will not only minimize your home’s energy consumption, but you will also leave a positive impact on global warming and heat island effect.
Provides A Waterproof Surface
Some of the most common external elements that can affect your roof include rainwater and moisture levels. Most high-quality roofs are manufactured with moisture-resistant repellents. However, as time passes by after the roof installation, moisture and water will find their way past the moisture-resistant layer and gradually cause damages to the roofing material.
Regular roof painting will provide a waterproof seal to the entire roofing surface, even cover cracks and holes on the roof. This way, the painting work will provide a protective waterproof coverage that protects your roof against water and moisture damage and ensure minimal maintenance.
Eliminates Growth of Mold, Mildew, Moss Algae and Lichens
When it comes to moisture damage on the roof, we can’t overlook algae, moss, mold, and mildew growth on the roof. Such damage can significantly shorten the lifespan of your rood and consequently lead to roof replacement.
Painting your roof provides it with a protective membrane which eliminates moisture and water issues. This way, a painted roof surface cannot sustain the growth of mold, mildew and any untoward plant growth. In fact, some paint products are manufactured with chemicals purposely made to inhibit the growth of algae, moss, mold and any type of fungal growth.
Improves Aesthetic Appeal of Your Roof
Roof painting is one of the most effective ways of restoring your roof to its former glory or even to something better than before. If your roof is moderately showing signs of aging and requires repairs, you can fix it and paint it and have it looking as good as new. Naturally, if you leave anything outside for an extended time, it will gradually fade and start aging due to the effects of exposure to sun and other external elements.
Your roof is usually strategically positioned at the top of your house. It’s meant to take in all the weight from external conditions and elements. With time, the shingles, the tiles, and some parts of the roof surface will start to fade and look aged.
Your roof is an important part of the exterior of your home, and so, it should look attractive and well kept. You can have a new-looking roof by simply painting it. In fact, a simple paint job on your roof may not only transform the appearance of the roof, but it will make your whole house look attractive and new.
A dingy looking roof can make a whole building look aged. Instead of spending money replacing the roof, you can paint it and renew it while at the same time giving it a look that you desire. More so, you can go for a roof color that enhances your home and defines your landscaping better.
Increases The Value of Your Home
The roof is one of the first features anyone is likely to notice when they enter your home. Therefore, it would be wise to refurbish and bolster its appearance and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Good roofing and one that looks good for that matter can create interest to a potential buyer and maximize your chances of making a sale.
Painting a roof can go along in terms of appearance. A well-painted roof can make a house look new and pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, a dingy looking roof can be a put-off, and a potential home buyer might end up losing interest the moment they step into your property. Thus, painting your roof can make your house look attractive and increase its value. If you are planning to put your house up for sale, don’t let the roof let you down. Refurbish the exterior of your home and wait for a return on your investment. Roof painting will not cost much, but the returns can be significant.
Roofing painting is a home improvement project that can extend the lifespan of your roof and prevent premature roof replacement. The painting process will ensure that all the roof issues have been fixed before giving your roof a new phase of life.
Through roof painting, you will be able to restore the beauty of your roof and that of your home. The good news is that roof painting is relatively cheap compared to roof replacement. So, if you want to give your roof a fresh, new look, you can do so by painting. Not only will you refurbish it, but you will also stand to gain other benefits through this simple process.
Roof Painting Costs and Process
Roof painting is a process that involves restoration of the roof and the painting process itself. The cost of roof painting varies greatly depending on several factors that we will discuss later in this guide. But, basically, the size of the roof and the state of the roof play a big role in determining the pricing and the total cost of the project. The restoration process involves cleaning and repairs which have to be done before the roof is painted.
When it comes roof painting, you can choose to DIY or hire a professional. The average cost of roof painting costs comes to about $2500. Most homeowners report spending between $1200 to $3700 on roof painting. The minimum cost of roof painting comes to around $500, and the maximum comes close to $9,500.
Depending on the scope of work, a professional can choose to charge you based on square footage of the roof, which is typically based on the size of the roof. For a house with a smaller roof of about 100 to 180m2 the cost of painting this size of a roof will range from $28 to $40 per square meter although the cost will largely depend on the state of your roof and repairs needed.
If you have a medium sized roof with measurements of about 180 to 240m2 the roof painting cost will range from $22 to $30 per square meter, while a larger roof of about 240m2 and more will cost you anywhere between $17 to $23 per square meter.
From the above cost estimates, you can see that the pricing per square meter goes lower as the size of the roof increases. If you have a large roof, it would be best to negotiate with your roof painter to come at a reasonable price. However, you should be wary of extremely cheap quotes as this may mean the materials and products to be used are of lower quality. A premium quality roof paint might come at a high cost, but it will last longer than a cheaper option.
Some roof painting professionals charge per hour which comes to an average cost of $40 per hour. However, the hourly charge can be lower or higher depending on the complexity of the painting job. A simple roof painting job that requires minor repairs and cleaning can cost as low as $35 per hour while a complex one can go as higher as $50 per hour. These costs including the cleaning process but not the paint and the materials required.
However, hourly charges are not the best to use when painting your roof. It’s better to discuss with your roofing contractor and come up with a quote that will be inclusive of everything. A roof painter would prefer to inspect the roof before they give you a quote. This is because factors such as the condition of the roof, the type of the roof and the steepness of the pitch will play a big role in the price factor. It is always better to work with the square meter charging rate when it comes to professional roof painting.
| Cost of roof painting | |
|---|---|
| National average roof painting cost | $2500 |
| Typical roof painting costs | $1200 - $3700 |
| Minimum cost | $500 |
| Maximum cost | $9,500 |
| Professional charges – per hour Professional charges per square meter | $35 - $50 per hour $22 to $30 per square meter |
Cost of Roof Paint
When you are planning on roof painting, it’s advisable that you invest in a quality paint that gives you lasting effect on your roof. The quality of paint you use will affect the overall cost of roof painting project. A professional painter will advise you to use polymeric, polyurea, or polyurethane roof coating. The ideal roof paint will depend on the type of roof you have and the location of your house.
Here are other types of roof coating that are suitable for roof painting:
Water-based acrylic roof paint – this kind of paint is highly reflective and works perfectly for some types of roofs. However, if you live in a region that experiences water pounding, water-based acrylic roof paint is not the right choice of roof paint for your roof.
Bituminous coating – this type of roof paint works for some types of roof, but its options are limited. Compared to other roof paints, a bituminous coating is not so flexible.
Eco-friendly silicone roof paint – also works for some types of roofs but it’s one of the most expensive roof paint available.
If you hire a roofing contractor, they will give the best paint option depending on the type of roof you have and your location. The high-quality premium paint might be a be more expensive than the other types of paint but its long-lasting and more effective. Most painters would recommend that you use high-quality paint because it lasts and you will save yourself the disappointment of having to repaint sooner after you have just your roof given a paint job.
Here are average prices for some roof paints that may be recommended to you for your roof:
| Paint | Quantity | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| High-quality paint | 10 liter | $225 |
| Heat reflective roof paint | 20 liters | $350 |
| Exterior acrylic emulsion | 20liters | $180 |
Factors That Can Affect Roof Painting Costs
Some factors will greatly influence the cost of roof painting. Roofs are available in various types, and each of these roofs has its requirements. In fact, roofs are never the same. They might have the same square meters, but each will require different preparation, repairs, and paint.
Here are factors that influence the cost of roof painting:
The Size of Your Roof
This is obviously a determining factor in roof painting cost. It goes without saying a bigger roof will cost more than a small roof to paint. A bigger roof will require more paint, the work involved will be more and the job will take longer to complete. The rate might be lower with a larger roof than a small roof, but the overall cost of painting a larger will be on the higher side.
The Type of Paint to Be Used
The type of paint the painter will use on your roof will also affect the overall cost of roof painting job. Paints come in different types and quality. The higher the quality, the costliest the paint is. A less expensive paint is likely to be of low quality, and it will disappoint soon after its application.
In addition to paint, you will also need to factor in the cost of primers and sealers that need to be applied before the final coating. These two (primers and sealers) are essential during roof painting to ensure that your roof is well coated, protected adequately against the heat, snow, cold and other environmental elements.
Some roofs do better with a specific type of paint, so it’s best to factor in the type of roof you have before buying the roof paint. A roof painter will give recommendations to the best paint to use depending on the type of roof you have and the condition of your roof.
The Condition of Your Roof
The current condition of your roof can hugely affect the overall cost of the roof painting job and the work to be done before the painting itself. The roof is usually coated with primers, sealants and the paint itself to protect it against external elements such as moisture and heat. Before a professional painter begins the painting job, they have to get rid of the old layers of paint, sealants, and primers. This process will add to the total cost of the roof painting project.
Secondly, if your roof is damaged and weathered, it will require repairs before the paint is applied. Neglect or extended exposure to external elements can contribute to roof damages, and such a roof will require a considerable amount of work before it can be painted.
Repairs on the damaged parts of the roof will cost you additional cost. The cost will depend on the extent of the damages, what needs to be replaced and amount of time required to complete the repairs. The professional might need to apply fillers and anti-rust treatments if the roof is heavily weathered.
In addition, the roof cannot be painted before its thoroughly cleaned. Before the painting job can start, a professional will need to power wash the entire roof to get rid of dust, debris and organic growth like fungi, algae, etc. Professional roof painters use pressure washers to clean the roof before they start the painting process.
These preliminaries will add to the overall cost of roof painting, and the price will depend on the condition of your roof. The repairs and the cleaning are an essential part of the roof painting process as they ensure that that the paint adheres on the roof to last longer and that it will require minimal maintenance in future.
The design of the Roof
The size of the roof plays a big role in determining the cost but, the complication of the roof design can add to the total cost of the paint job. Of course, the design of your roof boils down to the design of your home, and the more complex the design of the roof is, the more work it will require during the paint process. A complex roof design will require complex painting techniques, and this will take a professional painter more time to complete the painting task.
The Steepness of the Roof
A steeply pitched roof will affect the roof painting cost. Some roofs a designed in such a way that they are too steep and the painter will require special equipment which means they have to factor in the cost of hiring one. In such a case the painter will need a hoist to be able to paint a steep roof. Generally, painters charge more for steeper roofs as its more complicated to paint such a roof.
Single Story or Two Story Roof
Professional roof painters charge more for two-story roofs than single story roof. A two-story roof will require more time to complete the painting job than a single story roof.
The Location of Your Home
The location of your home can add to the overall cost of the roof painting job. If the roof painter has to cover a long distance to get to your home, you might have cater for transportation costs. Also, if access to your home is quite difficult, the cost might go up.
These are some of the factors that a roof painter will take into consideration before giving you a final roof painting quote.
DIY Roof Painting VS Professional Roof Painter
Roof painting can be a DIY project especially if you have a single story house. A DIY roof painting job can save you a lot of money on labor charges. However, you have to factor in the slope of your roof. If the slope is not too steep, and you have a one-story roof, you can attempt the roof painting task on your own.
But, before you get a ladder and purchase roof paint, you need to inspect your roof. It’s also important to consider the factors outlined below before you decide to DIY roof painting.
You need to be aware that the roof requires thorough cleaning before painting it. Ask yourself if you will be able to power clean the roof to the level of cleanness required for the paint to adhere properly.
The roof may be in need of repairs that will require a professional to fix. If the repairs are extensive, you might consider having a professional to handle the painting and the repairs altogether.
Ask yourself if you are conversant with the paint spraying equipment. The process of painting a roof is not as simple as painting walls of your home. If you do not know how to use the spraying equipment, it might be difficult for you to apply paint on your roof. The roof requires spray equipment for the paint job to come out perfectly. Besides, using a brush to paint a roof can be tiresome, and the results will not be so appealing.
Consider The Steepness of the Roof
One of the challenges of roof painting is the slope of the roof. You will require specialized equipment to be able to paint a steeply pitched roof. Actually, the steeper your roof, the more difficult it is to paint such a roof. It’s impossible to walk on a steep roof, and so, you will require a hoist to be able to paint the steep roof.
If your roof is steep, you should consider hiring a professional painter. If you are DIY, it might be challenging for you to use a hoist. The hoist needs an experienced person to operate it skillfully. It has to be correctly positioned to allow the roof painter to paint each section of roof and then moved to the next location for another section of the roof to be painted. If you are a novice, operating a hoist and moving it might be risky for you.
Painting Details
When you choose to paint your roof through DIY, you might be faced with painting detail work. Remember, the roof has fascia, guttering, eaves among other features. The painting will involve using different colors for these features, and you will be required to do it with precision. If you leave these features during paintwork, the paint job will end looking unsightly and shabby, and the eaves and gutters may look unmatch to the newly coated surface.
However, a professional roof painter will not be faced with this kind of problem. They are experienced and accustomed to this kind of work. They know what to do and the steps to follow to achieve the perfect look and bring out the details of your roof perfectly. Roof painting may also involve painting other parts of your house which include your window frames and doors. These are details that a DIY might leave out during the paint job.
Safety
Any job that involves working on the roof can be dangerous and will require safety measures. You will need to use a ladder to work on some sections of the roof, and, as mentioned earlier, if the roof is too steep, you will need a hoist to be able to paint the roof. It can be risky working on a ladder or a hoist, and you risk fatal falls and accidents. Care must be taken when painting the roof and ensure that you wear protective gear before you start the painting process.
Roof Painting Process
The roof painting process is almost the same for all types of roofs except that different types of roofs will require different repairs. But the process follows the following stages:
- Roof repairs
- Cleaning the roof
- Roof painting
- Painting A Tile Roof
If you have a tile roof, the professional roof painter will replace broken and cracked tiles. This will be followed by power cleaning the roof. After cleaning, the professional painter will get rid of ridge caps, and they might do re-bedding where necessary. The painter will then fill in the ridge caps using refilling mortar.
The process will involve applying a sealant or a primer to etch the roof surface. They will finish off by applying about two or more coats of paint.
Painting Metal Roof
For a metal roof, the preparation process will involve treating rusty sheets by grinding the rust and then treating the areas with potent rust converter. If some sheets of the roofing have been badly affected by rust, the professional will replace the affected sheets. The professional will then replace rusty and loose screws and nails. The painter will pressure clean your roof, apply a primer and then paint at least two or more layers of paint.
Painting Terracotta Roof
To prepare a terracotta tile roof, the roof painter will replace any broken tiles and remove mold by applying mold killer on the roof. They will then pressure clean the roof and get rid of ridge caps, and where necessary, they will re-bed. The painter will then fill in the ridge caps using refilling mortar. Terracotta roof requires terracotta glaze which should be applied in 2 coats.
Conclusion
If your roof is looking dingy and in need of some repairs, a roof painting job can revive it back to look clean, fresh and attractive. Roof painting gives you the opportunity to change the color of your roof, improve its appearance and increase its quality without incurring the massive costs of roof replacement.
More so, roof painting provides a reflective coating consequently reducing your energy consumption. It’s also an excellent way to increase the value of your home by making your house more attractive.
The cost of roof painting will depend on the size of your roof, present condition of your roof and the type of paint to be used. But, compared to roof replacement, roof painting is relatively an inexpensive way to refurbish your house. If you choose to DIY, you should consider your safety especially with a two-story roof or steeply pitched roof. Alternatively, you can hire a professional roof painter for a quality paint job. They will carry out necessary repairs; power clean the entire roof to remove dirt, grime, and mold, and then excellently paint the roof with your preferred colors.