Is your roof reaching the end of its lifespan? If your roof shows signs of deterioration or is approaching the end of its guarantee, you may be questioning if it is time for a change. If it’s in good shape, you may reroof it instead of tearing it off and setting up a new one.
If your roof is made of tiles or a durable industrial covering, you could put a second layer right on top of the present one. It will give your roof some extra years for a small amount of the expense of a complete rebuild. There are a few options available – you just need to know which one is most suitable for your situation.
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What Is Reroofing?
Reroofing is an option in contrast to stripping and rebuilding the entire roof. An additional layer of tiles is put on top of the original roof. While it’s not always recommended, it can lead to significant savings on replacement expenses. There is less work and time invested because the current top does not have to be removed. The procedure is also known as “recovering” because the old roof is covered with an extra layer.
To get an idea of how much you’ll cut costs on materials when reroofing, think about how many layers make up your roof. Flat (pitch below 10°) and low-pitched roofs (pitch between 10° and 35°) are often formed by three layers:
- All roofs require a minimum of one layer of weatherproofing to prevent leakage. In addition, locations with a harsh climate should also have an ice-protective shield.
- The second layer maintains the roof’s resilience, puncture protection, and overall strength.
- The last layer serves to protect the other two layers from the weather and the sunlight. The top layer could also bring a few additional advantages, like protection against fire or eco solar reflective cover.
Commercial Roofs
When it comes to commercial pitched roofs, there are usually four layers. After the foundation (traditionally made of plywood) and the waterproof layer come two different coatings:
- A smooth felt overlay keeps the water from going under the tiles and allows them to fit into place and lay flat.
- The visible top layer of your roof is made up of asphalt tiles, metal panels, or wood shingles. They give both architectural beauty and protection. A fifth layer, known as a ridge cap, is added to asphalt shingles.
Reroofing pays off financially because most layers remain stable. You do not replace the entire roof. Instead, you trust the building’s existing and intact layers to offer foundation and security. As these materials are reused, reroofing provides considerable cost savings. Do not worry – your structure is secured because these protective layers remain unimpaired during the roof works. If you choose a reputable roofing company, you’ll have nothing to worry about for a long time.
Advantages:
- It is a more cost-effective method of roof restoration.
- It just adds another layer of tiles on top of the one you already have.
- You don’t need to put in much effort, resources, or a significant amount of time.
Disadvantages:
- You cannot add more layers if you’ve reached the maximum (which is usually two).
- If you have metal panels, you will not be able to reroof.
- You can’t get a good look at the situation under the existing tiles.
- It may not survive as long as a complete roof replacement.
What Is Roof Replacement?
Rather than merely suppressing damage, a complete replacement will solve all of your roof’s issues. If your roof has signs of severe deterioration, your construction company will need to fix your roof deck to avoid additional harm. Water can leak down the walls through holes in the foundation, causing drywall and floor problems. This type of damage can be costly to fix. While replacing your roof is an expensive undertaking, it will eventually save you money because it helps you detect early symptoms of drooping and decay on the deck due to water intrusion. As a result, a complete roof replacement will include complete roof leak repair.
Your new roof will last between 10 and 50 years, depending on your material choice. And since the same material limitations do not bind it as reroofing, you have all the freedom of that choice.
Advantages:
- You can spot and deal with all of the concerns regarding the state of your roof.
- It usually saves money in the long term.
- The roof will stand longer.
Disadvantages:
- It’s a significant investment.
- Roof replacement includes additional work, time, and resources.
Should you make your home ready for roof replacement? How?
You want the roof replacement to go as smoothly as possible. Give the roofers a hand by making your property ready for the roof installation. Even if properties are so varied, what you need to do before roofers arrive is pretty similar to what other homeowners have to do. Details come down below.
Move your cars
Take some time to move the vehicles you have out of the roofers’ way. If you currently keep the cars in the driveway, make sure to take them to the street so that you can leave whenever you need them. If you have an attached garage, we recommend taking the cars out of it, so that roofing equipment doesn’t block your vehicles.
You want your roofers to have effortless access to your house. The closer they can park the equipment to the house, the easier it will be for them to get the job done.
Put the patio furniture and toys away
It’s common for people to have patio furniture and toys lying around in the yard. After all, these bring comfort to the outdoor living space. That doesn’t mean that you should leave them lying around when the roofers get to your house.
Remember to move patio furniture away from the yard as the roofing materials could damage them if dropped. Toys in the yard can also make the roofers fall, so it’s best to store them inside.
Take care of the lawn
Mow the lawn before the roofers bring their roofing equipment. It will be easier for roofers to discover possible hazards in the grass. Mowing the lawn also makes the cleaning of debris easier.
Don’t forget to use some flags to mark the sprinkler heads/drainage areas after mowing the lawn. It will help the roofers step in carefully around those areas.
Protect the landscaping and the garden
If you have lovely landscaping or a nicely cultivated garden, you should protect them from roofing materials and falling shingles. Use some planks of wood or sturdy support to make some temporary walls around the plants. Get a thick tarp to cover the supports. You want a tarp that keeps the roofing materials from destroying your plants.
It doesn’t mean that you also need to cover trees and shrubs; they’re strong enough to handle the loose roofing materials.
Prune the trees
Low-hanging tree limbs pose a high risk of damaging the roof, whether it’s old or new. Additionally, they can impede the proper installation of the new roof and make the process go slower than expected.
Hire a tree service company or call your landscaper to trim the low-hanging limbs before the roofing company arrives. The roofers will work easier and there will be no tree limbs to damage the new roof.
Keep your kids and pets busy
The roofing team has to set up the roofing materials without harming anyone or damaging something. If you have kids or pets in the yard, the roofers will have difficulties in proceeding as planned.
Look for ways to keep the kids inside and your pets out of the yard. If your pets stay outside on a regular basis, it’s better that you take them to a pet daycare service or at your veterinarian throughout the installation.
How will roof replacement take place?
With roof replacement necessary after some time, it’s understandable why such a vast project feels a bit overwhelming for some homeowners. If you want the project to have the expected results, you need to hire an experienced roofing contractor. Even so, we recommend you do due diligence about a roof replacement. Knowing what to expect will make the project go smoother and feel less stressful than it can be.
First of all, a trustworthy roofing company will manage the roof replacement every step of the process, from beginning to end. Even if installing new roofing materials isn’t complicated, the whole project will take a few weeks. Here’s how it’s going to go:
Professional inspection
A reliable roofing team won’t start replacing the roof until it has a clear image of your roof’s condition. The contractor will have to examine your roof, the attic, and the support structure to gather all the necessary information before replacing it.
The roofers will seek that the supports are strong enough to withstand the weight of the new roof. They will recommend you the best roofing materials for the new roof, according to your preferences and budget. Should they discover problems that require repairs before replacing the roof, the professionals will start with repair work.
Once the inspection is over, the contractor will provide you with a quote for the job. It should be a fair and accurate quotation, with no hidden fees and unexpected spending.
Plan the installation
Good roofers are experienced, skilled, and ready to adjust their work to your schedule. As a result, they will come at a time of your convenience. Even if you don’t need to be around when the roofers begin the installation, it’s nice to be there to give them a hand when the whole work begins.
Don’t worry about the necessary building permits—the roofing company will take care of them all.
Remove the current materials
The roofers won’t install the new roofing materials but begin with removing all current roofing materials. It’s the best way to get the promised results and avoid leaks in the future.
The roofers will take and put the old materials in the dumpster and continue with installing the new materials. They will give you a roof that protects your home from the elements and reduces the regular spending on cooling/heating.
Remove debris
After the roofers install the new roof, they also take the waste away from your property. They will carefully examine your property and look for loose roofing nails/materials that need to go to the dumpster. Once the yard is clean, they plan the date to haul the dumpster off your property. The only thing they leave behind is a new and long-lasting roof.
What happens after the team has finished?
Once the roof installation is complete, the contractor will give you details about the installation. If they have made repairs, you will have a better idea about roof replacement and repairs for the future.
Reliable roofers will also provide you with a warranty and cover all the inquiries you might have about the new roof. We encourage you to ask all the questions you might have, no matter how basic they seem to you. Good roofers will help you get the best of your new roof to enjoy it for the longest time.
Summary
If your roof is crumbling and it’s time to replace it, you should start looking for the best bargain. Reroofing is frequently presented as a less expensive alternative to a complete roof replacement, which could theoretically save you cash. But, reroofing is not for everyone. Understanding the difference between the two and when one is preferable to the other can assist you in making the right strategy for your house. And choosing the right roofers will also save you cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost to reroof a house?
Reroofing costs vary a lot. The HomeAdvisor states that reroofing ranges between $5,100 and $10,000. Most roofing companies will charge between $3.50 and $5.00 per square foot to reroof a house.
New roofs are expensive. Just how expensive?
Replacing a new roof is around $8,000, but most homeowners will spend anywhere between $5,500 and $11,000 for a new roof. The two main factors that affect the final cost are the square footage of your house and the roofing material you select for the new roof.
Asphalt is the most affordable roofing material in the market, with a shingle of one square foot priced at $1. At the other end, we find slate, which is ten times more expensive than asphalt shingle.
Does insurance cover a new roof?
Typically, insurance providers will cover the spending for roof repair if the damage occurred due to unpreventable incidents. We talk about fires, storms, burglary, tree falling, vandalism, and other types of accidents.
Will a new roof add value to a home?
It seems that a new roof is a wise investment to make that increases your home’s value by $15,427. It represents around 68% of the investment. Some recent studies revealed that adding a new roof can bring more than that to the appraisal value.
Is there a type of roof tax deductible?
Most of the time, only two kinds of roofs qualify for the tax credit. Metal roofs with paint/pigment that are Energy Star certified are such materials. The special coating is what gives a tax credit.
