Tear off vs. Shingle Over Roof Replacement – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004   FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM

 

At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

Tear off vs. Shingle Over

A reliable roof protects your entire household and is arguably the most important component of your house.  It should always be in top condition, as a degrading roof can lead to many other structural problems.  When the moment comes to redo your roof, should you tear off vs. shingle over? Both choices come with certain pros and cons that you should be aware of.

Tear-off

Tearing off your roof involves removing the entire existing roof and then installing a completely new one.  It’s a more thorough method that costs more initially but guarantees better long-term results.

Advantages to Tear Off vs. Shingle Over

Tearing off vs. shingling over your old roof comes with several significant advantages:

  • Longer lifespan – A tear-off roof will last much longer than one that has been overlaid on an existing shingle roof.

  • Increased resale value – A new roofing system is a good investment if you plan on selling your home soon.

  • Better structural condition – Your roofing contractor will be replacing the entire roof.  He’ll be able to access the decking, replace any rotted wood, assess and fix any high risk or leak-prone areas, and make sure your roof is watertight.

Tearing off your roof is always the better option.  Still, it does come with the disadvantage of a higher price tag.

If you choose to shingle over your existing roof, your roofing contractor will leave your old roof as-is and put a new layer of shingles on top of it.  This can only be done once, so if you’ve already overlaid your roof before, you’ll have to tear off the shingles and install a new roof.

Biggest Advantages in Shingle Over vs. Tear Off

While roofing over existing shingles isn’t the best long-term solution, homeowners choose to do so mainly because of two considerable reasons:

  • The less expensive option — When laying new shingles over your existing roof, the labor costs will be considerably lower than a tear-off.  If you’re working on a tight budget, the overlay method is an excellent option for getting a new roof at a more affordable price tag.

  • It’s faster — Since overlaying requires less work, your roofing contractor will complete the project in a much shorter time frame.  The project will be less messy, and you’ll be able to move in immediately.

Biggest Disadvantages for Tear Off vs. Shingle Over Methods

Choosing to shingle over seems like a practical and convenient way to save money on your next roofing project.  However, the disadvantages heavily outweigh the benefits.  Here are some of the most significant reasons why overlaying your existing roof isn’t a good idea:

  • Increases stress on the roofing structure – When overlaying an existing roof, you’re adding an entire layer of shingles, effectively doubling the weight on top of your home.  If you have an older home or a deteriorating roofing structure, the integrity of your house can be at risk.

  • Harder to maintain – Having two layers of shingles will make it substantially more difficult to track any leaks or roof problems.  This means that you won’t know the condition of your decking and roofing structure until more serious issues manifest.

  • Shorter lifespan – The second layer of shingles won’t last as long as they’re generally expected because the heat and moisture will get trapped between the layers.  In the long run, this makes the investment more expensive.

  • May affect the resale value – If you plan on selling your home in the next few years, overlaying might not be the best choice.  It can hurt the resale value of your property.

Another issue to consider if you choose to shingle over is you’ll have to remove two layers when the time comes to replace your roof.

Consult a Roofing Professional First

There’s no denying that installing a new roof can be strenuous on every homeowner’s budget.  Since you’re making such a significant investment for your household, you want to make sure that the job gets done right.  Regardless of whether you decide to tear off or shingle over, you should always consult a professional roofing company to inspect and assess your roof first.