If you’re planning to add rooftop solar panels to your home, it’s important to ensure that your roof is in top condition. If your roof is suffering from structural damage or is more than a decade old, your solar installation company will likely recommend a full roof replacement before moving forward with the installation.
Many homeowners often confuse the terms reroofing and roof replacement. This can make it difficult to find a relevant roofing company that is licensed and capable of doing the work. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the difference between reroofing vs. roof replacement to help clear up any confusion.
What Is Reroofing?
Reroofing refers to layering sets of shingles over or in between existing shingles on a roof to restore its appearance. The process is quick and less expensive than replacing the whole roof. The newly placed shingles will offer more protection and prevent any leakage from the worn-out shingles.
The drawback with reroofing is that it only fixes cosmetic problems or minor functional problems such as small leaks. Also, in most states, it is not legal to add more than two to three layers of shingles to a roof. So if you already had a reroofing job done, or if your roof is facing major structural problems, it would be best to get a complete replacement as per building codes.
Cost of Reroofing
Since reroofing doesn’t involve any major reconstruction, it is often more affordable than a full or partial roof replacement. The overall cost for reroofing varies based on several variables such as:
- Materials
- Story
- Labor
- Job size
- Slope
- Accessibility to the roof
- Location
- Special equipment required
Each of these variables will affect the cost differently. For example, upgrading the materials will be more or less expensive based on the type and quality of the materials being used.
What Is Roof Replacement?
Roof replacement involves removing all shingles by stripping them and placing new materials on the exposed deck. It consists of putting an underlayment or felt paper on the deck to offer more protection from water and other elements. Install the new shingles on the underlayment to ensure the roof lasts 15-20 years.
Due to the activities involved, a full roof replacement is more expensive than replacing or adding new shingles. a costly venture. The advantage of a full roof replacement is that fixes the underlying structural issues and can extend the lifespan of your roof much longer than replacing a few shingles.
Cost of Roof Replacement
The same factors in reroofing also apply to roof replacement. On average, roof replacement will be more costly as it involves complete removal and replacing every shingle on the deck. There is extra labor involved in removing the old shingles and preparing the deck for new shingles.
However, you may be able to save on cost by having your roof replacement and solar installation done at the same time by the same company, so considering looking for a company that has expertise in both areas.
Deciding Between Reroofing vs. Roof Replacement
If your solar installer recommended roof repairs to support your solar pv system, you will most likely need a full or partial roof replacement. A reroofing job will not address the underlying structural issues, nor will it prolong the lifespan of your roof.
At Solar Optimum, we have expertise in solar, battery, and roof installations. Contact us today or download your free guide below to learn more about roof replacement and solar installation.
