If you are getting a new roof, there are two main options. The first option is to remove the old roof before installing a new roof. The second option is to install the new roof over your old roof. There are pros and cons to each approach. Plus, installing the new roof over the old one is not always an option. However, when it is, it can save you a lot of money.
New Roof Over an Old Roof
When you put a new roof over an existing roof you save time, mess, and money. Putting a new roof over an old roof means you save the cost of removing the old roof. Not removing the old roof minimizes mess. It also saves you time.
Given those benefits, why would anyone choose to remove the old roof? Well, not every home is a good candidate for roof overlay instead of roof removal and putting down a new roof.
Replacing A Roof On Older Homes
Most older homes are not great candidates for roof overlay. You want to make sure that the roof’s surface, under the shingles, is still in good condition. So, the roof overlays are good for first-time roof replacement. That is why overlays are usually not indicated in homes older than 25 years. However, that is not a hard-and-fast rule. If the home previously had a total roof replacement, it could be fine with an overlay.
While home age is flexible, roof condition is not. To install a new roof over an existing roof, you need the current roof to be in decent condition with smooth shingles. If your existing roof is in bad condition or has rough shingles, then we cannot install the overlay properly. In those situations, we would recommend a new roof.
How Many Levels Of Shingles Can You Have?
Another thing to keep in mind is whether you have already done an overlay. In New Jersey, you can have a maximum of two levels of shingles. The reason for this is to make sure the plywood underlayer is in good shape and to keep the right level of ventilation.
When it is possible, overlaying your new roof on top of the old roof is almost always going to be a cost-saving approach. However, you might be surprised at how affordable tearing off the old roof and installing the new roof can be. If you are looking at both options, we always suggest asking for quotes for both approaches. Once you have all of the information, you are in a better position to pick the one that is right for you.
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