Roofing FAQ · Toronto & York Region
Roofing FAQ for Toronto & GTA Homeowners
Straight answers on roof costs, shingles, repair vs replacement and hiring a roofer. Prices are typical 2026 ranges for Toronto and York Region. Your roof gets a written quote after we’ve seen it.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google (75 reviews) · 4.9 on HomeStars (175 reviews)
Since 1986
Family-run by the Spiros family
25,000+ installs
Roofs and exteriors across the GTA
265+ Reviews
5.0 Google · 4.9 HomeStars
100% Canadian
Local crew, no call centre
Roofing FAQ
Roof replacement cost
Most asphalt shingle replacements on a GTA house land between $9,000 and $26,000. A small bungalow sits near the low end, and a large two-storey with lots of valleys near the top. Metal roofs usually run about double that. Pitch, roof size, layers to tear off and any rotten decking move the price the most. See our 2026 roof replacement cost guide.
Architectural asphalt shingles typically cost $5.50 to $9 per square foot installed, and 3-tab shingles a bit less. Metal runs roughly $11 to $18 per square foot. Roofers price by the “square”, which is 100 square feet of roof, so a 2,000 sq ft roof is 20 squares.
Flat roofs in the GTA usually cost $5 to $17 per square foot, depending on the system and how easy the roof is to reach. A garage or rear-addition flat roof is often a few thousand dollars. We install 2-ply modified bitumen, which holds up well to Ontario freeze-thaw cycles. More on our flat roofing page.
Plan for tear-off and disposal ($1,000 to $2,500), replacing any rotten plywood decking (about $70 to $120 a sheet), and upgraded ventilation if the attic runs hot or damp. New eavestroughs, flashing or skylights add to the total. A good quote lists each of these in writing so nothing shows up later.
If you plan to stay in the home 20+ years, often yes. Metal costs about twice as much upfront but can last 40 to 70 years, versus 20 to 30 for good architectural shingles. If you may sell within 10 years, quality shingles usually make more financial sense.
Roofing FAQ
Shingles and materials
Architectural (laminated) asphalt shingles are the best value for most GTA homes. They’re thicker than 3-tab, handle high winds better and usually carry a longer manufacturer warranty. Installation matters as much as the shingle: ice and water shield at the eaves and valleys and good attic ventilation prevent most winter leaks. Our shingle guide compares the options.
3-tab shingles are a single flat layer with a uniform look and a lower price. Architectural shingles are two bonded layers, so they look more dimensional, resist wind better and last longer. They’re now the standard choice for most homes in Toronto and York Region.
Good architectural shingles usually last 20 to 30 years in the GTA. 3-tab shingles are closer to 15 to 20. Poor attic ventilation, ice dams and heavy tree cover can shorten that by years, which is why ventilation gets checked on every replacement.
For homes and small commercial buildings in Ontario, 2-ply modified bitumen is a proven choice. It’s two layers of reinforced membrane, so there’s a backup layer if the top one gets damaged. EPDM and TPO single-ply membranes are also common, mostly on larger commercial roofs.
They’re premium choices for heritage and upscale homes. Cedar looks great but needs regular maintenance and lasts about 25 to 50 years. Slate can last a century but is heavy, expensive and needs an experienced crew. We install and repair both across the GTA.
Roofing FAQ
Repair or replace?
Repair makes sense when the roof is under about 15 years old and the problem is in one spot, like a few missing shingles or flashing at a chimney. Replacement is the better call when shingles are curling or losing granules across the roof, leaks keep coming back, or the roof is 20+ years old. See roof repairs and roof replacement.
Shingling over one old layer is sometimes allowed, but we don’t recommend it. You can’t see or fix rotten decking underneath, the extra weight stresses the structure, and many shingle warranties need a full tear-off. A tear-off to the deck is the job done properly.
Ice dams form when warm attic air melts snow on the roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves. The backed-up water then gets under the shingles. The fix is attic insulation and ventilation to keep the roof deck cold, plus ice and water shield along the eaves so any backup can’t leak in.
Yes, most winter leaks can be patched or made watertight until the weather allows a permanent repair. Shingles don’t seal well below about 5°C, so bigger work may wait for a mild stretch. Call as soon as you see water. The faster it’s stopped, the less damage to insulation and drywall.
Roofing FAQ
Hiring a roofing contractor
Look for a company with a real local address, a long track record and plenty of recent reviews on Google and HomeStars. Ask for a written quote that lists materials, tear-off and disposal, and the warranty. Be careful with door-knockers after storms and anyone asking for a large cash deposit.
Ask: How long have you been in business? Do you carry WSIB and liability insurance? Is the tear-off to the deck included? What’s covered by the workmanship warranty, and for how long? Who is actually on the roof, your crew or subcontractors? How do you protect my landscaping and clean up?
Roofing is a high-risk trade, so Ontario requires roofing contractors to have WSIB coverage for their workers. Without it, you could be exposed if someone gets hurt on your property. Always ask for a current WSIB clearance certificate and proof of liability insurance before work starts.
Two or three written quotes is plenty. Compare what’s included, not just the price: tear-off, ice and water shield, underlayment, ventilation, flashing and the workmanship warranty. A much lower quote usually means something on that list is missing.
We’re a family-run roofing company working out of Richmond Hill since 1986, with more than 25,000 roofing and exterior installs across Toronto and York Region. We’re rated 5.0 on Google and 4.9 on HomeStars, every job is quoted in writing, and you deal with a local family crew, not a call centre.
Roofing FAQ
Timing and the roofing process
Most GTA homes take one to three days, depending on size, pitch and how many layers come off. Weather can push the start date, but once the old roof is off, the crew keeps the house protected until the new one is on.
Late spring through early fall is ideal because shingles seal best in warm weather. Fall books up fast, so it’s worth getting quotes in summer. Roofs can be replaced in cooler months with the right materials and methods, especially when a leak can’t wait.
Yes, on mild, dry days. Crews hand-seal shingles when it’s too cold for them to self-seal, and they only open up as much roof as they can close the same day. Emergency repairs happen year-round.
No. The crew needs access to the driveway and yard, and usually an outside outlet. It’s loud work, so many people with young kids, pets or a home office plan to be out. The job ends with the yard cleaned up and a final walk-around.
Roofing FAQ
Eavestroughs, soffit and fascia
If they’re more than about 20 years old, leaking or sagging, yes. Doing it together saves a second setup, and it lets the new drip edge, fascia and eavestrough line up properly. It’s also the best time to fix soffit venting, which helps prevent ice dams.
Aluminum holds up better in Ontario. It doesn’t warp in summer heat or get brittle in the cold, it resists fading and it isn’t damaged by animals as easily. Vinyl costs a little less upfront. Either way, vented soffit panels are what keep the attic breathing. See soffit installation.
Yes. Seamless aluminum eavestroughs are formed on site to the exact length of each run, so there are no joints along the length to leak. They’re what we install across the GTA, and they pair well with leaf guards on tree-heavy lots. See eavestrough installation.
Good leaf guards cut down cleaning a lot, especially under maple and oak trees, though no guard is 100% maintenance-free. They also help in winter by keeping debris from blocking downspouts, which reduces overflow and ice buildup at the eaves.
Roofing FAQ
Permits and insurance
A like-for-like reshingle usually doesn’t need a building permit in Toronto or York Region. A permit is typically required for structural changes, such as changing the roof slope, adding dormers or cutting a new skylight opening. Rules vary by city, so check with your building department if your project changes the structure.
Most policies cover sudden damage, like shingles torn off in a windstorm or a tree falling on the roof. They usually don’t cover wear and tear or leaks from an old roof. Take photos, call your insurer and get a written repair estimate.
Reviewed by the Spiros Aluminum & Roofing family team, roofing in the GTA since 1986.
Talk to the family team
Call 416-286-7759 or send us a few details and we’ll book an inspection.