Remodeling: A Home That's as Good as New

If your roof is almost serving its entire lifespan or you have noticed some damage signs, you know it's time to make some big decisions. If the issues are minor, all you may need to do is call a professional roofer for some quick repairs. If the damage is so serious that repairs alone aren't enough, it may be time to consider re-roofing or roof replacement. This article focuses on what you need to know about re-roofing. 

What Is Re-Roofing?

Re-roofing is simply adding a new layer of shingles on top of your old roof. This process can only be completed once because a roof cannot accommodate more than two layers of shingles at once.  

The good thing about re-roofing is that the old roof doesn't need to be removed. Thus, the process takes less time to complete and is cheaper than a complete roof replacement. 

When Is It a Good Idea to Re-Roof?

Re-roofing might be a good idea if your roof has started to fail but its overall condition is good. For example, the granules in your shingles may be wearing off due to elements or age, but the shingles aren't curling or causing any leaks. Or perhaps the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan but the underlying structures are still in good condition. 

You may also consider re-roofing when you want to change your roof, for example, by adding a different color or design. Or when renovating your home and you want your roof to match the new style. In such cases, you can install a new layer of shingles with the colors and designs that you want. 

When Is It Not a Good Idea to Re-Roof?

As already mentioned, re-roofing isn't an option if your roof already has two layers of shingles or more. Installing another layer over your two layers may cause the new roof to collapse due to excess weight. 

If your old roof has extensive damage, especially in the underlying parts like the decking, re-roofing is also not a good idea. That's because you will be covering the damage instead of solving it. In such a case, the best thing to do is to tear everything down and resolve the problem at its source. 

Also, re-roofing is only done on asphalt shingles. You cannot install a new layer over wood or slate tiles. And, even with asphalt shingles, re-roofing is possible when the shingles are flat and level. If some shingles in your roof are curling, consider replacing them before re-roofing.  

To see if your home is a good candidate for re-roofing, reach out to a roofing service in your area.