Up on the Rooftop
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Up on the Rooftop

The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.

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Up on the Rooftop

Reroofing Costs Less, But A Roofing Replacement May Be A Better Investment

Lori Silva

If your asphalt roof has lost most of its granules and the shingles are past their prime, it's time to think about getting a roof put on. You may have options about how you approach getting new roofing. Your contractor can help you decide whether tearing off your old roof and getting all new materials is best, or if you can have new shingles put on the old ones. Here's a look at the pros and cons of each choice.

Adding A New Layer Of Shingles

One of the main reasons for putting new shingles on top of the old ones, or re-roofing, is to save money. If your roof has a single layer of shingles now, and the roof deck is in good condition, putting on a new layer of shingles might seem appealing. However, you'll want to reach this decision after input from a roofer.

A roof with two layers of shingles may not last as long as a completely new roof, so while you save money upfront, you might not get as good of a return on your investment. Adding a new layer of roofing could also result in the need for more repairs later.

If the roof is rotted in certain areas and the roofer didn't catch the damage, putting on a new layer of the roofing will cover up the problem and the problem may just get worse until the roof starts leaking.

A Complete Roof Replacement

The downside to a roof replacement is that it costs more than adding new shingles to the top of the old roof. However, the extra cost could be well worth it. When you have a roof replacement, the roofer tears off all the old shingles.

This allows the crew to examine the deck to make sure there are no rotted or damaged areas that need to be repaired. Then, a new underlayment is added and topped with new shingles. This gives you an entirely new roof from the deck up.

The new materials are fastened securely to the deck, so the roof holds strong during storms, and the shingles could have a longer life as long as you keep up with maintenance.

The decision might be taken out of your hands depending on the condition of your roof. Building codes limit roofing to two layers, so if your roof already has two layers, they both have to be torn off rather than covered up.

Also, if your roof has a lot of damage, it's better to tear off the old roof and repair the damage before applying new shingles. That's why you need to start with an inspection by a roofer so you know the condition of your roof and which option you should choose.


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