Roofing in New Orleans, LA

The median home in the city of New Orleans was built in 1960, older than the U.S. median of 1980 and older than the Louisiana median of 1983.¹ On a roof of that vintage a contractor should check the decking before quoting - a tear-off rather than an overlay is the usual recommendation so soft sheathing is found, not buried. The stock is old by national standards: 74% of New Orleans's housing units were built before 1980 (U.S. 50%), and only 7% since 2010.¹ Annual precipitation is about 60 inches, with 19 days a year of an inch or more.^2,3 Where heavy-rain days are common, the quote should name the underlayment and the valley and flashing details, which is where most leaks start.

Summers are hot: about 86 days a year reach 90°F and 0 reach 100°F.^2,3 Long hot seasons shorten the life of dark asphalt shingles; a quote should state the shingle's rated wind and heat performance and whether a lighter color or a metal system is sensible. New Orleans is about 6 miles from the ocean or Gulf coast in a straight line.^4,5 Near the coast, fastener grade and wind rating matter: ask for stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners and for the installed wind rating of the shingle system.

Owner-occupied homes in New Orleans are older than rentals: a median build year of 1960 against 1965.¹ Where owner-occupied homes skew older, a repair-versus-replace conversation is the usual starting point rather than a like-for-like swap. Building permits in New Orleans are normally issued by the city building department.^6,7 Re-roofing permits, where required, are filed by the contractor with the city before work starts.