A roof is a home's first line of defense against the elements, so it's important to make sure it's in good condition. If your roof is leaking, cracked, or missing shingles, it may be time for a reroofing job. But if your roof is more than 15 years old or has been severely damaged by a storm, you may need to replace it entirely.
Replacing an entire roof is a major home renovation project that can be expensive and disruptive. A less invasive and less expensive option may be to re-roof instead.
There are several reasons to consider which type of roofing service your roof really needs but looking at your roof first and assessing the situation is still the best way to figure out whether it needs a major replacement or just a reroof. Continue reading this article to help you come to a good decision.
What is Reroofing and its Difference from Complete Roof Replacement?
Re-roofing is the process of installing a new roof over the existing roofing material. This option may be best for roofs that are in good condition but have outdated or damaged roofing materials. During re-roofing, a new shingle overlay is placed over your worn shingles to restore the look of your roof as well as provide a protective layer to help prevent leaks from getting inside your home.
Provided you have just one layer of shingles on your roof you are a candidate for re-roofing. Otherwise, roofs that already have two layers of shingles installed are prohibited by building codes from installing a third layer, in which case you will need a full roof replacement.
When it comes to reroofing, there are several different methods available depending on the type of roof being replaced. For example, if an asphalt shingle roof needs to be replaced, the most common method used is tear-off and replacement. This involves tearing off all of the existing shingles and then installing new ones using adhesive or nails. Other types of roofs such as metal roofs may require installation over existing layers of materials or may need to be completely removed and replaced.
The overall difference that reroofing has from complete roof replacements is its cheaper cost.
Reroofing VS Roof Replacement Cost
When it comes to roofing, homeowners often face the difficult decision of whether to repair or replace their roofs. On one hand, reroofing can help ensure that your roof remains in good condition and is able to withstand the elements for years to come; on the other hand, replacing an existing roof may be more cost-effective in the long run. When weighing your options, it’s important to consider both the short-term and long-term costs associated with each choice.
- Reroofing involves adding a new layer of shingles over an existing layer - The primary benefit of this approach is that it’s relatively inexpensive compared to completely replacing a roof. However, there are some downsides too: for example, reroofing adds weight to your structure which can cause problems if your home isn’t designed for it. Additionally, since you’re essentially just covering up existing issues with a new layer of shingles, any problems that were present before will likely still exist after you reroof – meaning that in the future you may have to replace the entire roof anyway if the problems aren’t fixed properly.
- On the other hand, replacing an entire roof requires more money upfront but can provide greater peace of mind in terms of quality and longevity - It also gives the roofing contractor access to all areas of your roof which is necessary for properly fixing any underlying issues like rot or water damage. Additionally, a complete replacement may offer greater protection against wind damage as well as better insulation against extreme temperatures and energy savings throughout each season.
Overall, when deciding between reroofing vs replacing a roof entirely, homeowners should take into consideration both immediate cost savings and long-term benefits when making their decisions.
Although simple roof repairs or reroofing may seem like an attractive option due to its affordability and upfront costs, it’s important to remember that any pre-existing issues won’t necessarily be addressed by simply layering new shingles over them – meaning costly repairs down the line if these issues aren't addressed soon enough.
Replacing an entire roof can be more expensive initially but offers greater protection in terms of quality and longevity along with improved insulation and energy savings throughout each season - making this option worth considering as well depending on your needs and budget constraints.
Consider your home's age and condition - if it's nearing the end of its lifespan, it might make more sense to replace it than reroof
When considering the age and condition of a home, it is important to look at both short-term and long-term implications.
Short Term and Long Term
In the short term, repairing the roof or making other improvements may be necessary. However, if a house is nearing the end of its lifespan – typically 40 to 50 years for most roofs – then replacement may be a better choice in the long run. Newer roofs are often more energy efficient, saving homeowners on their utility bills. They also tend to have fewer repair and maintenance needs, ultimately costing less money in the long run. And of course, a new roof can give an older home a fresh look that can transform its curb appeal! So if it's nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be wise to consider reroofing instead of making repairs.
Although replacing an old roof can be expensive, there are many financing options available that can help homeowners manage the cost. And in the long run, a new roof can add value to your home and increase its resale potential. After all, with a new roof, you never have to worry about leaky ceilings or worn-out shingles again! So if your home is nearing its last days, reroofing may be the best way to go. It's an investment that will pay off in the long run and help ensure your home looks great for years to come.
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Weigh the Pros and Cons of Each Option
To fully decide which type of roofing solution to go for, knowing the good and the bad things they can give you is the best way to weigh the benefits.
The Pros of Re-Roofing
- Re-roofing your home is the most economical choice for repairing a roof due to its minimal use of labor, materials, and overall time needed.
- Re-roofing is the quickest approach to restoring your roof and involves only replacing portions of it instead of the entire thing.
The Cons of Re-Roofing
- In many areas, it is not permitted to add a third layer of shingles on top when there are already two layers present.
- Re-roofing may not last as long as completely replacing the roof.
- If you have metal roofing, re-roofing is not recommended.
- When you don't take the time to lift your current shingles, there's no way to identify any major issues beneath them like decay or sagging. Simply laying a new layer of shingles on top won't resolve any hidden problems, so it is important to inspect before proceeding with re-roofing.
What is Involved in a Roof Replacement?
When your roof is fully replaced, the old shingles are stripped from the roof, exposing the deck. An underlayment or felt paper is then applied to the deck to help protect it from water and other elements. The new shingles are then installed on top of the underlayment or felt paper for a new roof that lasts for 20 years or more.
If the deck is severely damaged, it will need to be repaired to prevent further damage, which can eventually cause a hole underneath.
The Pros of Completely Replacing the Roof
- Completely replacing the roof lasts longer than re-roofing.
- It can be done no matter how many layers of shingles are on the roof.
- Unlike re-roofing, which may not address all deck issues such as rot, and could lead to roof failure in the future, a fully revamped roof ensures safety by preventing further damage and creating a sturdier structure.
- Saves more money over the long haul because it enables you to identify early signs of rot and sagging caused by water damage to the deck, which can eventually permit water to leak and drip down inside the walls where it can damage the drywall and flooring and lead to costly repairs.
The Cons of Completely Replacing the Roof
- In comparison to re-roofing, fully renovating a roof necessitates more supplies, labor, and time - resulting in it being the pricier of the two projects.
Some Factors that Will Affect the Overall Costs
- Roof Layout - Slanting or complexly shaped roofs will add to the overall cost, as it necessitates additional gear and safety harnesses for workers. Moreover, if your roof has considerable water damage, repairs should be done first before a new one is installed - this can also result in greater expenditure.
- Roof Access - The degree of difficulty in accessing your roof will have an influence on the total cost. When it's difficult to bring the truck close enough, it requires more time and labor for workers to carry materials from the transport vehicle up onto your house - thus driving prices higher.
- Unique Features - If your home includes unique features like skylights or a chimney, the workers will have to take those into account when working on the roof. As a result, you can expect that this extra effort and repair of flashing around these areas may cause an increase in price.
- Junk Removal - For your convenience, some roofers may provide a service that includes the removal and disposal of old materials and debris for an added fee.
How to Decide Between Re-Roofing and Fully Replacing the Roof
- If your roof is still in good condition but has minor issues or leaks due to age, then re-roofing might be the best solution for you. Re-roofing can help extend the life of your existing roof and save you money in the long run.
- If you want to get the most out of your roof and ensure an even look, re-roofing might be a great option for you - especially if it's only been one layer of asphalt shingles that have been applied. If there are just some parts that need fixing, unfortunately leaving those areas alone may cause unevenness in other places which can easily be spotted by visitors.
- If your roof consists of two or more layers, the removal of both shingles will be necessary prior to partial re-roofing. Unfortunately, this can add up in terms of labor costs and disposal fees. Furthermore, since a roofing professional typically charges per 10' x 10' square during a partial re-roof job, it is likely that you will spend slightly more than if you were doing a complete overhaul on your roof deck. However, if significant water damage has occurred to your deck along with sagging structures and patches of mold/mildew growth - then unfortunately a full replacement would need to occur regardless.
- If you wish to be completely certain that your deck and shingles are in the best condition, a full roof overhaul is likely the way forward. By fully removing old materials from your roof and inspecting for any damage or defects, a reliable roofer can repair issues for an impenetrable structure which will give you complete assurance - not like re-roofing when it's often too late before realizing anything has gone wrong!
- In the end, if budget is a factor for you then re-roofing can still provide you with great quality roof shingles that will last for at least 10 years; however, it's vital to select superior materials in order to ensure no damage is done to your deck.
When it comes to saving money, you may want to consider restoring the roof on your own. Yet, a professional roofer is best equipped and aware of industry standards so that they can guarantee their work for up to 10 years - giving you peace of mind in case something goes wrong with the installation. Moreover, as licensed professionals, they have access to acquiring any permits necessary for proper installation. All this makes hiring an experienced roofer for roof repair and other roofing services worth considering when repairing or replacing a damaged rooftop!
All in all, we hope this post was helpful in understanding whether your roof needs reroofing or complete replacement. Don't hesitate to reach out and contact us for further assistance or questions you may have regarding roofing services. We would be more than happy to help!