When it is time to replace your roof, it can be tempting to choose the lowest price. After all, shingles are shingles, right? The reality is that the difference between a cheap roof and a premium roof is not just a few thousand dollars at the start. It is decades of protection, thousands of dollars saved over the life of your home, and peace of mind through every storm.
At Reliance Roof Troop, our goal is to give you every fact you need so you can make a decision you will never regret. Here is what you should know about the real cost and value of a cheap roof compared to a premium roof.
The Price Tag and the Lifespan
A cheap roof in Northwest Indiana usually means standard oxidized asphalt shingles. These cost about $650 per square. One square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. For a 2,500 square foot home with 25 squares, that comes to about $16,250. These shingles last 12 to 15 years in our climate before they need to be replaced.
A premium roof such as the Malarkey Legacy polymer modified asphalt shingle costs about $800 per square. For the same home, that comes to about $20,000. These shingles are designed to last 30 to 40 years, even with our heavy snow, spring hail, and high winds off Lake Michigan.
The difference in upfront cost is about $3,750. The difference in lifespan is two decades or more.
The Cost Per Year of Protection
One of the clearest ways to compare value is to look at the cost per year of protection.
Cheap Roof
Total cost: $16,250
Lifespan: 15 years
Cost per year: $1,083
Premium Roof
Total cost: $20,000
Lifespan: 35 years (average)
Cost per year: $571
Now factor in inflation. If you install a cheap roof today and replace it again in 15 years, the second installation will cost much more. With material prices rising about 4 percent a year, your second cheap roof could cost over $22,000. Over 35 years you will pay more for the cheaper option, and you will live through two full replacements instead of one.
What You Do Not See in the Price Tag
The hidden costs of a cheap roof often show up in ways homeowners never expect.
Ventilation problems
Poor attic ventilation can shorten the life of shingles by as much as 40 percent. It can also cause moisture buildup that leads to mold and higher energy bills. Many low bid roofers skip the ventilation work entirely.
Improper flashing
Flashing protects the areas where your roof meets chimneys, walls, and valleys. If it is reused or installed incorrectly, leaks and water damage can follow.
Low grade underlayment
Underlayment is the waterproof barrier beneath your shingles. Cheap underlayment can fail in as little as five years, which means water can reach your wood decking, insulation, and drywall.
Warranty voids
Many manufacturer warranties require certified installation and specific system components. Cutting corners on either can void your warranty and leave you without protection.
Why Northwest Indiana Weather Changes the Equation
Our weather is brutal on roofs. Lake effect snow can sit on your roof for weeks at a time, adding thousands of pounds of weight. Spring storms bring wind gusts that can tear off shingles. Hail from summer thunderstorms can break down the surface granules that protect against UV damage. Cheap shingles often do not last more than 12 years in these conditions.
Malarkey polymer modified shingles are built to withstand these challenges. They stay flexible in freezing temperatures, resist cracking in high winds, and have exceptional granule adhesion that protects against hail and sun.
In the April 2023 hailstorm in Crown Point, we inspected multiple Malarkey roofs installed by Reliance Roof Troop and found no storm damage. At the same time, we replaced several cheap roofs that had failed completely.
The Real Risk of Going Cheap
A roof is your home’s first line of defense. When it fails, it can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage, mold remediation, and even structural repairs. We replaced a 12 year old roof in Schererville that had been installed by a low bid contractor. The homeowner had saved $3,000 at the time, but over the next decade they paid nearly twice that amount in repairs before finally replacing it with a premium roof.
Your Takeaway as a Homeowner
A cheap roof might save you a few thousand dollars upfront. Over the life of your home, it will almost always cost you more in money, time, and stress. A premium roof from Reliance Roof Troop, installed by our certified crews and backed by both the manufacturer warranty and our no leak workmanship guarantee, offers decades of reliable protection and a lower cost per year of ownership.
You will forget the extra $3,750 you paid for a premium roof within a year. You will never forget the relief of coming through a storm knowing your home and family are protected.
Call Reliance Roof Troop today or request your complimentary proposal online to see exactly how a premium roof can protect your home for decades.
