The first roofing considerations start the day the first shingles become damaged. If that’s the only problem with the asphalt roof twenty years after its installation, that’s good news. You see, others might face leaks and missing shingles much earlier. What do you both have in common? You need to do something about the roof. The difference is that you won’t necessarily need the same roof service. There’s time for roof replacement, and there’s time for re-roofing. And the condition of the roof is the first but not the only determinant of your decision. So here we’re going to explain the differences between re-roofing and roof replacement and which option will be more suitable to you.
What is re-roofing?
Re-roofing is laying shingles over the existing ones. If beyond some missing shingles the roof is in good condition, re-roofing is the best solution for you. But there are some considerations and restrictions here. So hold your horses for the time being.
The pros and cons of reroofing
The main advantage of re-roofing is the lower cost than if you had to replace the entire roof. On the other hand, the cost depends on the roof material. It’s easy to re-roof asphalt roofs but not metal ones. It also depends on the roof’s pitch. The main consideration with re-roofing is that only two layers of shingles are allowed in most regions. So it’s best to ask your roofing contractor about the local building codes. This restriction makes absolute sense. The frame can only take so much weight. If you kept adding layers of shingles, there’d be an extra burden, and the roof would collapse.
Now, another consideration with reroofing is the condition of the structural elements. Sometimes, roof damage is hidden. There might be mold, rotten areas, or warped wood in places you cannot see and by laying new shingles over the existing roof will only conceal the problem. And so, it’s often best to invest in the replacement of the whole roof, especially if you plan to stay in this home for many years.
What is roof replacement?
Roof replacement involves removing the existing roof and starting from scratch.
The pros and cons of roof replacement
The good thing about this project is that everything is installed from the beginning. And so, you can choose any roofing material you want while with reroofing, you’d have some restrictions based on how much weight the frame could support. The shortcoming with roof replacement is the cost. It’s way too expensive to have the entire roof replaced – not to mention the hassle.
Which option is best for you?
Assuming that you haven’t reroofed before, you can have a roofer to check the condition of the structure. That’s the first step. You need to make sure that the structure is solid and in good condition and thus worth investing in reroofing. The roofers also check the shingles. If they are distorted, a new layer cannot be applied over them evenly.
So, re-roofing is a good idea when you are on a tight-budget & the roof is in relatively good condition and hasn’t been reroofed before.
In a different case, your only option is to have the roof replaced. And this is often a better option although it costs more. That’s because you start from scratch and by removing the existing shingles, you get the chance to have the sheathing and deck checked. If the deck is damaged or you have experienced leaks, roof replacement is basically the only option. After all, who wants to cover up problems instead of addressing them correctly when it comes to roofs?
