Can I Replace My Roof In Sections?

Due to budget limitations, many homeowners wonder if it’s possible to replace their roof in sections until fully completed. But this process has its own benefits and disadvantages, which must be considered carefully to avoid further damage. Find out below if you can replace only half the roof or consider only repairing the damages.

The Drawback of Replacing Only Half the Roof

When the damage has reached almost half of your current roof, you might get tempted to replace it in sections in order to save money instead of settling for complete replacement. The majority of professional roofers, however, don’t recommend replacing only half of your damaged roof due to the following reasons:

1. Compromised structural integrity

Roof installation isn’t simple as you think, assuming that you’re not concerned about aesthetics or material design. Most roofing systems aren’t designed to be replaced in sections. Because if you do so, you’re likely putting the structural integrity of your roof in jeopardy, which may result in further roof damage in the future.

In some instances, your roof may be very brittle to withstand the enormous weight of a partial replacement, especially if the age of the roof has already reached beyond 20 years. For example, your roofing specialist may encounter rotten wood frames underneath the roof structure, which would likely require them to build new supports. For this reason, you may end up incurring more expenses from partial roof replacement instead of gaining more benefits.

If you try to replace a roof in sections or build pieces together, particularly at the structural points, your partially-completed roof will eventually experience failure, resulting in more serious damage inside your home. Furthermore, no professional roofer will attempt to take a partial roof replacement project since repairing worn-out roof components is proven ineffective and costly for both parties.

2. Constant repairs

Given that your house has undergone partial roof replacement imagine yourself living in a house with two different roof sections in terms of lifespan and existing condition. The older half would likely require regular repairs and possibly replacement sooner than the latest one, forming a continuous cycle of repairs due to normal wear and tear. You may also find it difficult to sell your house if both sections’ service life isn’t the same.

3. Overlooked cost

A partial roof replacement is often more costly than a full replacement because you might think that you’re able to save money for replacing only half of your roof. In fact, you’re likely paying more for partial roof replacement since you still need to pay other corresponding charges, including transport cost, delivery services, service taxes, labor cost, and material wastage in cost per square foot. While the initial upfront cost seems lower, you should anticipate additional expenses for maintaining two roof sections with individual life expectancies.

As discussed above, each section’s uneven service life would mean frequent maintenance costs for the older side, while it increases your energy bills brought by recurring leaks and repairs. Ultimately, it will be worth it to acquire a new roof for the entire house, rather than just replacing one section.

Another issue to think about is that your insurance plan may not cover a sectional roof replacement as the majority of the insurance firms only cover either a full replacement or major repairs. This leaves you paying for much of the roof installation cost out of your own pocket.

4. Bad aesthetics

For sure, you don’t want to see your roof appearing in two contrasting shades once you decide to have it replaced in section. Imagine half of your roof will noticeably appear worn-out, while the other half will look fresher, even if you’re able to find the same roofing style.

When to Consider Sectional Roof Replacement

There are unique scenarios where replacing only the damaged roof components is generally acceptable.

While experts don’t recommend roof replacement in sections, you can still perform partial roof replacement jobs in the following cases:

1. Replacement of Individual Roofing Material

It’s just normal to see some missing shingles or loose particles inside the gutters after a heavy storm. Roof materials that are worn out or missing shouldn’t cause any alarm. However, it’s best to contact your nearest roofing specialist to have your roof professionally inspected for any damaged underlayment or support frames.

Some roofing materials, shingles, for instance, can be easily installed in areas where the broken shingles were previously located. Since searching for the same shingle profile is difficult, new shingles may come noticeable over your roof, but they can significantly extend their service life without incurring high replacement costs. Once you discover the damaged shingles, make sure to call roofing contractors New York as quickly as possible because the longer you leave them unattended, the higher the chance of having roof leaks.

2. Patching Options

You may consider patching up the minor damages on your roof if they become visible from sight. However, it’s still recommended to hire a professional roofer to help you determine which course of action can be taken after performing a thorough inspection. What may seem like easy patchwork may need comprehensive repair techniques, particularly if your roofing specialist notices any water leaks anywhere inside the roof structure.

However, if the damage doesn’t require extensive repairs, a simple patching job may suit just fine. Similar to replacing individual roof parts, patches appear noticeable from the outside view, but these are more cost-effective than installing a brand new roof.

3. Acceptable Replacement Options

You can take a couple of roof replacement options as listed below:

• Overlay

Overlay, also known as the second layer, involves installing new shingles on top of the existing shingles, assuming that there is no structural damage to the roof supports. Although considered more affordable, this option tends to trap heat, which contributes to faster wear and tears for the surrounding shingles. You may also find it difficult to locate potential leaks or rot if there are multiple layers of shingles covering your roof.

• Tear Off or Full Replacement

As opposed to the individual replacement of specific roof parts, a tear-off is a complete installation of new shingles, metal roofs, flashing, roof decks, and underlayment for any damaged structure. Roofing specialists highly recommend this option. However, the upfront cost seems relatively high. While the initial cost seems high, a tear-off replacement extends the service life of your roof as well as increases the resale value of your property.

As you see, replacing just half the roof is generally not recommended by professional roofers due to foremost concerns regarding structural integrity and uncontrollable expenses on your part. If you ever notice any broken shingles or water damage inside your house, be sure to call TCI Manhattan Roofing NYC to help you decide which appropriate action to pursue.