When you need a roof replacement in Alpharetta, you may be wondering if it’s necessary to have the entire roof torn off and replaced or if you can lower costs by installing new shingles over the old shingle roof. While this isn’t the best option in every situation, there are some instances when this is a great choice. Here’s what you need to know about this type of roof replacement, which is also called reroofing.
Replacement vs. Reroofing
One of the first things to understand when determining if you should install another layer of shingles on the existing shingle roof is the difference between roof replacement and reroofing. Reroofing takes a great deal of the labor out of replacing your roof because shingles are installed directly on the existing roof. Roof replacement, on the other hand, requires the entire roof to be stripped down to the roof deck. Replacing the roof means everything is starting from scratch. This is required when your roof is in extremely poor shape and you’re experiencing leaks. Reroofing can be a better option when certain conditions exist. There are some good reasons for choosing to reroof.
When Reroofing Is an Option
Reroofing is only an option when certain conditions are present. First of all, the roof can only have one layer of shingles currently. Adding layer upon layer of shingles is not only against building code, but it’s also dangerous. The roof is only designed to hold a certain amount of weight, so it’s best to only have two layers of shingles on your roof at once. In addition, the roof needs to be in good enough condition that new shingles can lay flat on top of the existing layer. There should be no leaking and no concerns about the structural integrity of the roof.
Reason #1: Cost Benefits
Perhaps the most noticeable benefit of reroofing is the cost savings you’ll get. Not only will you save money on materials, but you’ll save substantially on labor costs as well. Tearing off the entire roof is a time-consuming process and labor-intensive. You’ll also save on the cost of new decking and underlayment when you only have to replace the shingles. However, it’s important to be sure that the other components of the roof are in good condition because the money savings from reroofing will be quickly erased if the underlying components cause leaks.
Reason #2: Convenience
Major house projects always involve some degree of inconvenience. Roof replacement can be a messy process, even when hiring roofing companies to do the work. You can avoid a lot of the hassle and mess of a roof replacement project and drastically reduce the amount of time needed to complete the project by reroofing.
Reason #3: Improve Aesthetics
Another reason to consider installing new shingles over your existing roof is when you want to change the appearance of your home. If you’ve renovated your home or simply dislike the current style or color of shingles on your home, you can choose to change up the look of your home by adding a layer or architectural shingles or by choosing a different color of shingles.
Reason #4:
Another reason you may want to consider reroofing is that as long as you have a qualified roofing company in Alpharetta do the work, the shingles will still have a warranty and will last as long as a new roof. To learn if your roof is a candidate for reroofing, contact Superior Roofing Company of Georgia today.