When your roof has been damaged, you may think that roof replacement is in your future. That might not really be the case. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may be able to re-roof your house instead. If you thought re-roofing and roof replacement were the same thing, think again; roof replacement is the total replacement of your entire roof, but re-roofing involves replacing much less. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of each option to determine which is right for you.
Pros and Cons of Re-Roofing
Re-roofing is a process where another layer is added to your roof. If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, re-roofing is sometimes called a nail over re-roof because new shingles are nailed on top of the current layer.
Pros
Re-roofing is cheaper and takes less time. It uses fewer materials and minimizes disruption to you or the occupants of the house, although it’s still a noisy process. There’s less to clear away in terms of waste and less labor involved.
Cons
Unfortunately, you can only re-roof so much, and some damage may be so severe that re-roofing would be inadequate to repair the problem. Each layer that you add to your roof increases the weight pressing down on the house’s frame, so re-roofing can be done only if the house currently has only one roof layer.
If the house was previously re-roofed, you can’t do another re-roofing job. And because re-roofing doesn’t include removing the old roof, any defects are left in place and covered up. Think of it like a temporary band-aid fix. If your house has asphalt shingles, none of them can be peeling up. Re-roofing is only available for certain roof material types.
Pros and Cons of Roof Replacement
Roof replacement is when you tear out the old roof and replace the whole thing, or at least all the damaged materials. In instances where a certain part of the roof was damaged, like with a hail storm, a partial replacement may be sufficient.
Pros
Roof replacement allows you to get all those defective materials off your roof. You replace them with new items that may have better engineering and quality. Also, roof replacement allows you to install solar panels at the same time if you’re interested in those. Finally, the warranty you can get with a roof replacement is much, much better than any you could get for re-roofing.
Cons
The most obvious con is the price. Roof replacement can be expensive, but roof companies often have several financing options to help you deal with the cost. Roof replacement also takes a long time, and the work can be incredibly disruptive for several days if not a week or more. If the damage to the roof is extensive, the cost and time needed can increase quickly.
Re-Roofing vs. Roof Replacement: Which Is Better?
If you have an architectural or 3-tab asphalt shingle roof that has minimal damage, that has not been re-roofed before and that has none of the current shingles curling up, re-roofing is probably the first option you want to look at.
In any other circumstance, roof replacement is your best option. Here you can choose your roofing materials, get better warranties and replace all the spots that were giving you trouble.
Revamp Your Roof With Help From Roofing Optimum
Whether you choose to re-roof or replace your entire roof, it pays to work with a professional. Roofing Optimum offers award-winning roofing services that follow OSHA safety requirements and use the highest quality materials. If your roof needs a refresh, contact us today to discuss your options.
