Are you worried that your brand-new roof in Seattle might fail sooner than it should, even after spending thousands of dollars? Do you feel overwhelmed trying to figure out where to invest more money or where to cut back during your roofing project?
At RoofSmart, we understand that making decisions about what materials to use on your roof can quickly become difficult.
We want the roofing process to be as seamless as possible, so every year we talk hundreds of customers through the pros and cons of choosing the right materials for their roof and getting the necessary work done.
We make sure that the costs, pros, and cons are clearly laid out so that you can easily make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common mistakes Seattle homeowners make when getting a new roof and how to avoid them.
We’ll show you which roofing elements are commonly worth the investment, examples of which ones you can save money on, and how to choose a contractor who will guide you honestly based on your roof’s unique needs.
Want to get a ballpark estimate of the baseline costs you can expect for your roof replacement? Use our Instant Estimate tool to get a free cost estimate.
Why do so many roofs in Seattle fail?
Seattle roofs can have a wide variety of issues that cause them to fail prematurely. Here are the 5 top 5 reasons that we see when inspecting failed roofs all over the Seattle area:
- Thinking your attic ventilation is good enough: In a rainy, humid area like Seattle, it’s important to make sure that your attic ventilation works properly and is up to code. The requirements are updated regularly, meaning that older homes are typically way out of date. Having poor ventilation means that your roof can get too hot and prematurely damage your shingles. It also puts you at risk of mold, rotting wood, and structural damage.
- Reusing old flashing: Flashing is placed in vulnerable areas to help prevent leaks. It is nailed into place, so when it gets pulled off the roof, it can easily get mangled. In addition, it will have a bunch of holes in it from where it was previously nailed down. If your roofer chooses to reuse old flashing, it’s not going to do a good job of protecting your roof from leaks. It will typically not be covered by a manufacturer's warranty either, and for good reason.
- Focusing only on the shingles and not on any other materials: Shingles are definitely a big part of the decision, but choosing the ones you think sound good is only the beginning. Many homeowners who haven’t redone their roof before don’t realize that there are a lot of other important parts of the roof that they have to decide on as well. You also need to consider flashing, hip and ridge cap, pipe boots, bath vents, and other items that might be needed on your roof. These items are crucial because they make sure your roof stays functional for as long as possible.
- Not choosing a qualified contractor: There are a LOT of roofing companies in the Seattle area, so it can be overwhelming to try to figure out which ones are trustworthy and qualified. Most of the roofs that we at RoofSmart have replaced failed earlier than they should’ve due to poor installation practices. Just 17 years old, that’s the average age of the roofs we have to replace. Regardless of the prior company's marketing claims.
- Choosing SMP over PVDF (for metal roofs): Steel metal roofs require a protective top coat to prevent rusting and prevent them from deteriorating under the sun’s harmful UV rays. The two main choices are PVDF and SMP coatings. PVDF coatings are more expensive, but they are a stronger, better quality product. SMP coatings don’t cost as much, but they also don’t last as long as PVDFs. Choosing an SMP coating means that your metal roof might not last as long as it’s supposed to.
Which roof items should I invest more in and why?
This answer is going to depend on your roof’s unique needs because not every roof needs the same fixes. Here are some examples of common issues that we encourage our customers to fix so that they don’t have to spend thousands on repairs down the line:
- Pipe flashing: The plumbing in your house needs a place to vent out, meaning that you have a least one pipe sticking out of your roof. This is a prime spot for leaks, so it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality pipe flashing that will protect your roof for a long time.
- Insulation: Having low insulation in your roof can lead to mold and excessive heat. A convenient time to add more insulation to your attic is when you’re already replacing the roof.
- Mold remediation: This is a crucial step to take. Mold remediation can add a few thousand dollars to your project, but it protects you and your family from potential health issues. It also protects your roof from deteriorating.
- Attic ventilation: Poor ventilation causes all kinds of issues. It can bump up your total job cost by a few thousand dollars or more, but it prevents damage in the future. Plus, if you’re installing a new roof now, you won’t want to tear it off in 5 to 10 years to fix your ventilation problems.
- Gutter guards: If your gutters are constantly leaking or overflowing, gutter guards can help your gutters work more efficiently. Top-quality gutter guards can reduce the amount of maintenance your gutters need and prevent clogs.
- Using pine instead of cedar: Many roofers use fascia boards and other pieces of the roof that are made out of pine. I recommend choosing anything other than pine because it typically rots after only a few years. To avoid this, I recommend choosing cedar because it holds up much better in the rainy Seattle weather.
Which roof items can I cut back on and why?
Again, the things that you can cut back on are specific to your job. You’ll want to consult your roofer about your project to make these recommendations.
To help you get an idea of what this looks like, here’s a snippet of times when we recommended that our customers cut back:
- Reusing the existing skylight because it’s still in good condition (case by case)
- Reusing the same gutters because they really just need to be cleaned
- Switching to a lower grade shingle because that’s all you need
All of these scenarios are a judgment call we made based on the condition of the materials and the needs of the customer. If items on your roof are truly still in good shape, sometimes they can be reused.
The key here is to make sure that the decisions you make match your roof’s needs. You don’t always need to replace every single thing in sight with new items.
We typically encourage our customers to choose higher-quality materials because they last longer, but that doesn’t always fit your needs. If you’re not planning on being in your home for a very long time or have a tight budget, then more affordable options are better for you.
How do I make sure my roofer can help me make these decisions?
It can be tough to make these decisions if you are not a roofer. That’s why it’s important to find a roofing contractor that you trust to do a good job.
Here’s an analogy I like to use when explaining why it’s crucial to find an experienced contractor: when you buy a car, you can go to the dealership, pick out what you want, and drive away with a new car. But what if you picked out a car and all the pieces were shipped to your house without being assembled?
Now you need to find someone who is qualified to do a good job of putting it together. Which part matters more now, the materials or the labor? That’s what buying a roof is like.
Make sure you ask your roofer plenty of questions and do research on them to make sure that they have plenty of experience. Not sure where to start?
Download our Qualified Roofer Checklist to learn the questions you should be asking your roofing contractor. Use the checklist to efficiently evaluate your options.
What Should You Expect to Pay for a New Roof in Seattle?
At this point, you’ve learned how to avoid the most common mistakes Seattle homeowners make when getting a new roof and how to make smart, lasting choices about where to invest and where to cut back.
You now understand which upgrades truly protect your roof in our rainy climate and which ones might not be worth the extra cost, depending on your situation.
But there’s still one big question on your mind: How much is this actually going to cost you?
Read our article “How Much Does a Roof Cost in 2025? Prices for Seattle Homeowners” so you can plan confidently and avoid pricing surprises before your next project starts.
