Roof Overlay VS Tear Off

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Roof Overlay VS Tear Off

Roofing structures are responsible for protecting homes, buildings, other property interiors. However, like other building materials that are used for construction, roof materials such as shingles, metal roofing, slate tiles, and other alternatives have a fixed lifespan. These materials will eventually deteriorate, become damaged, require repairs and replacements over time. The most logical approach to this inevitability is the replacement and repair to the areas of the roof that is most affected by damage and aging. However, there are still some homeowners who choose not to replace their roof completely but instead, install a new overlay layer of shingles or other materials.

In these cases, homeowners choose to overlay since it can save time, money, and the needed effort put into the installation process. But, just because something is easy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the most optimal choice. 

When comparing the pros and cons when it comes to a roof overlay or a complete roof tear off and replacement, there are many different factors that need to be put into consideration.

Why Should You Overlay?

Roof overlays can sometimes be a better choice due to these reasons.

Cheaper 

If you’re going to be estimating the cost of tearing off your roof, choosing new roofing materials, and the labor costs for the professionals that are working on your roof, you’re looking at nearly thousands of dollars worth of labor and materials. This is one of the reasons why some homeowners would choose to place a new layer over the old roof instead.  

It Won’t Leave A Mess

Tearing off a roof will result in creating debris and other used roofing materials being scattered all over the place. Not only will this leave a mess, but this debris could become falling hazards which could cause injuries to people and pets in the area. With a roof overlay, the process will not cause a mess and is generally a cleaner alternative. 

Saves Time

Since you’re not going to be tearing off your roof, looking for another set of materials or even cleaning off debris from the resulting reroofing work, then there is time that is being saved. Roof replacements usually take a week on average to finish, but overlaying can cut the installation time to only days. 

Why Shouldn’t You Overlay

While overlaying has its benefits, there are still a few things that might make you reconsider an additional roof layer.

Will Affect The Value Of Your Home 

If you’re planning on selling your home, then overlaying can significantly decrease the value of your property since inspectors won’t be able to see the previous layer of your roof. This can affect the property inspection report. 

Problems Will Likely Arise In The Future

If you’re overlaying and you haven’t addressed roofing problems, such as bulging and warping on the old roof layer, then your new layer will take on the same damages over time. This is likely because the main causes of the damage, such as the interior build-up of moisture or water, are still ongoing. Even worse is the fact that this damage is likely to increase over time.

Not Allowed In Certain Areas 

Most communities have guidelines and regulations against overlaying your roof. Most of the time, this is because your roof might fall under the accumulated weight of having multiple layers of roofing materials. It’s best to consult a local contractor before drawing up a plan. 

Roof Replacements

As discussed, tearing off your roof might take time, effort, and money, but it is a worthwhile investment that you have to contemplate. Repairing or replacing the materials for your roof can give you more opportunities to using sturdier and more long-lasting materials. Moreover, this will give your roof inspectors a good glimpse of your roof which will leave a good impression on the housing report. 

Ultimately, installing a new layer of roofing materials over your older roof can lead to several problems. Evidently, there are more disadvantages to this. It’s best to tear-off your roof and replace it because even though you’ll be able to save money with the installation of a roof overlay, this will inadvertently cause future problems. Investing in a roof replacement with the right materials in mind can help prolong the lifespan of your roofing Bridgewater NJ and the foundation of your home. 

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