Oil Prices Affecting Asphalt Shingle Roofing Costs?
As oil prices hit a new high, increased costs are evident in every facet of our lives. Most people first notice the pinch to their pocketbooks as they're filling up their gas tanks. For homeowners, the costs of general home maintenance and upkeep are certainly on the upswing as well. For those homeowners with asphalt shingle roofs considering a roof repair, more cost increases may be on the way.
The rising costs of roof repairs can be attributed to several issues. As with any business, transportation costs have greatly increased, meaning that transporting supplies and daily driving are taking a significantly larger chunk of roofing companies' operating expenses. In Georgia for example, many Atlanta roofers have tried to hold off on passing that increased cost of doing business on to the consumer.
Oil - A Roofing Company's Double Burden:
However, roofing companies actually have a double burden to bear. Not only have their transport costs risen, but the cost of one of their main supplies is quickly increasing. Most Atlanta roofing companies rely on asphalt shingles to complete their work. Asphalt shingles are made up of several layers, including an inner reinforcing mat, a hard asphalt and mineral coating, a mineral granule surface, and a mineral dust coating on the back. It takes two different kinds of asphalt to create a shingle: a soft asphalt in the mat, and a harder asphalt for the outer surfaces. Since asphalt is created from crude oil, the cost of asphalt shingles is directly tied to that of oil. As oil prices rise, so must the price of asphalt shingles.
Despite rising prices, asphalt shingles are still the most commonly used in roofing today. Even as they become more expensive, they're still a great value and tend to cost less than other options like copper or slate. They wear well and are less expensive to replace as they age. Asphalt shingles are also available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes to fit any home.
The Impact to the Atlanta Roofing Industry:
However, now that their prices are continuing to increase, Local Atlanta roofers are put in a tough position. In order to stay in business, they must continue using asphalt shingles, despite the rising costs. Their increased cost combined with the increased costs of gasoline to power trucks and roofing equipment adds up to a much more expensive job than homeowners may have been looking at in the past. Atlanta roof repair companies have no choice but to pass a portion of the costs along on to their customers.
For some Atlanta roofers, this has meant fewer jobs at a time when their expenses are jumping. Roofing companies both large and small are shaking from the painful blow dealt to them by the rising prices of gasoline, via oil. Some companies have increased costs by the bare minimum amount, meaning that they barely turn a profit on most jobs. Smaller increases in pricing can be better understood by the customer. Since about 85% of homes are covered with asphalt shingles, for many, it won't be a choice of whether or not they should have roof work done, but how urgent the situation is. Those with serious roof problems will need repairs or even reroofing, regardless of price. Those who are considering a new roof for aesthetics will most likely put the project off for another time, probably waiting until gas prices drop.
The trickle down costs of increased oil prices are a surprise to many homeowners. Despite the increased costs of roofing supplies and materials, for many Georgians a roof repair in metro Atlanta will not be an option, but a necessity.
(ArticlesBase SC #437833)
Article Tags:
Roofing Contractors
,Atlanta asphalt shingles
,Atlanta roofer
,Atlanta roof repair
,roofing companie
Installing a Standing Seam Roof
The standing seam roof has become an enormously popular choice in residential roofing over the last decade, especially as a stylish and durable roof in the custom home category. (04:55)
How to Re-Roof Your House
Across the country, millions of homes are covered by composition roofs. And each year homeowners have to replace these roofs due to age or weather damage. (05:48)
Valley Roof Flashing
A valley roof flashing doesn't have to look ugly. AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter shows you how to dress up valley roof flashings so that they blend into your roof. With his tips, any valley roof flashing will look much better. (01:44)
Removing Algae Stains From Roof Shingles
Removing algae stains from roof shingles is easy with the right technique. AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter demonstrates the right way to eliminate many roof stains, such as black roof stains and algae roof stains. (02:01)
How to Enhance Your Home with a New Roof
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford shows you how to enhance the architectural styling of your home by choosing the right roof. (02:53)
Atlanta roofs heat up in the summer. The months of July and August can be brutal on roofs and air conditioning units.
The type of damages to your roof caused by a hail storm look subtle but these damages can lead to rapid deterioration.
A table lamp can be a permanent decorative item in your room. It can serve you for years. When you change your home motif, you can choose to have it adjust to the style and theme that you want. You only have to do some revisions and your favourite decor...
Table lamps are available in lighting stores and furniture shops. If you drop by these places and you are interested in buying one, most likely, you can get one that you will find attractive. However, buying at impulse will make you get one that may not be best for the...
Has your Sydney roof suffered from the recent storms, rain and dust? If so then you’re not alone. You and I both are now learning more than we ever thought we’d need to know about roof repairs, and if you are in Sydney you may also be learning that a good Sydney roof repairer is hard to come by.
When it comes to a leaking roof, prevention is better than cure, as a leaking roof can create many repair costs. There are many reasons for a leaking roof and it is important to keep an eye out for possible causes and avoid them when possible.
As a new home buyer I was excited about beginning the renovation process on our run down house. We were going to start on the kitchen but after a particularly bad storm, and a particularly old roof, our plans changed. Our roof was partially destroyed which meant it was time to call roofing experts.
It would sure be nice to know which home improvements would pay off when it came time to sell your house, especially in a down economy. Here are some of the best projects you can undertake that will recoup the majority of your cost.
Before you know it, the warm weather will be back and the time for lounging outside will be here. But it can be quite an uncomfortable ride if you don't choose the right kind of patio furniture for your comfort and convenience.
Things to consider when selecting new plumbing fixtures for your house.
Atlanta roofs heat up in the summer. The months of July and August can be brutal on roofs and air conditioning units.
The type of damages to your roof caused by a hail storm look subtle but these damages can lead to rapid deterioration.
First time homeowner’s are often surprised by the number of roofing terms specific to the roof industry.
You've heard of them, the roofing contractors who travel to suburban neighborhoods and knock on doors, promising to save you thousands of dollars by reroofing your home. Like most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Too often these "roofers" take your money,...
In Atlanta the need for a roof repair is typically a result of poor workmanship. It is amazing just how minor a hole from a removed nail can compromise your entire roof's protection. The exposure created from a 'bb' sized hole in your roof can do a lot of damage...
You wouldn't trust your doctor to repair your car. You wouldn't trust your mechanic to perform laser eye surgery, and you probably wouldn't want the chef at your favorite restaurant to be your children's school teacher. In their own fields, these professionals excel, and their experience has made them trustworthy....
Owning a home means constant maintenance, but some projects must be tackled more frequently than others. These once-in-awhile projects are often the scariest for homeowners to complete, partly because they usually have a large price tag attached, and partly because of the homeowner's lack of experience and knowledge in the...
A leaky roof, broken tile, missing shingles or cracked flashing all bring about the same result: a harried homeowner calculating whether or not it's time for a new roof. When it is time for a reroofing job, it's important to consider using roofing materials that will make the home more...
1