
A roof serves as the first form of defense against the elements as it’s designed to withstand heavy rain, high winds, and heavy snow that might chip away at the lifespan of a home.
But just like every other structure in a home, roofs do have a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced. There are instances that homeowners choose not to replace their roof and instead, would rather place a new layer of the roof over the old one. This might save time, energy, and money in the short-term but this can also inadvertently breed several other problems for a roof in the future.
Lets look at the pros and cons of overlaying a roof over a current roofing system.
Why Should You Overlay Your Roof
Contrary to what is popularly known, having a new layer of roofing over another does not make the roof waterproof. The main reason why homeowners place a new layer over the old one is that it is a quicker and cheaper.
Less Hassle
Since there’s less labor required, you’ll be able to save time and money that would have been used for the tear off and installation of a new roof.
Lower Costs
Less time and effort placed on your roof means that there’s a lower cost of labor and materials.
Cleaner
The less complicated steps there are, there are less chances that problems could happen during a roofing job. This can also be translated into overlaying jobs since there are fewer steps taken which can lead to fewer materials being ripped off of your roof.
Why Should You Do Roof Replacements
If you find that the damages that a roof has incurred are beyond repair and permanent, it’s best to get a roof replacement since it has a variety of different benefits and advantages.
New Materials
One of the best reasons why a roof should be replaced is that it gives you better options for roofing materials. If a home owner is planning on replacing asphalt shingles with much more sturdier architectural shingles, they would be able to do that. This will give home owners the ability to adapt to certain changes in the weather which can help extend the lifespan of your roof.
Better Durability
Roofing materials are normally designed to be flat, by having extra layers of shingles this could compromise the integrity of a roof and can cause it to bulge. To avoid this, it’s best to replace a roof to preserve or even lengthen the durability of the roofing materials.
Increased Value
If a person is planning on selling their home then it’s a good idea to hire an inspector. They can help you estimate and inspect the home for its monetary value. Having multiple layers of roofing materials can negatively impact the value of a roof. Replacing a roof with entirely fresh and high-quality shingles can increase the value instead.
Ultimately, there are more benefits to replacing a roof rather than having to place another layer of shingles over it. The most common reason why homeowners choose to overlay their roofs is that it can save them time and energy. Although this might sound good in the short-term, it will eventually lead to more problems for a roof. At the end of the day, there are more benefits to tearing off a roof rather than having to place a new layer over the old one. Feel free to contact us if you have questions!
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Matt Kowalis
Marketing Manager for Central Roofing LLC
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About Central Roofing
Central Roofing is a top quality roofing company in Sullivan, IL that likewise operates in Mattoon and Champaign, and the rest of Illinois. We offer a wide array of roofing services to property owners like you. We have been the leading go-to roofing company of homeowners, business owners, and property managers for almost a decade now here in Illinois.