Is a roof replacement necessary, or will a simple repair suffice? Here are your alternatives, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each, as well as why roofing replacement may be the best decision.
In this article, you’ll learn about your alternatives, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and why skilled roofing contractors will almost always recommend a roof replacement.
We’ll start with a quick review of the vocabulary — what different words used by roofers imply — and then go over the advantages and disadvantages of your alternatives.
What’s The Difference? Roofing Replacement vs. Roof Repair
Let’s discuss what are the differences between roof replacement and roof repair!
What is Roofing Replacement?
The process of replacing a roof entails removing all of the old shingles, felt paper, and moisture barrier and replacing them with new roofing materials. It may also entail repairing or replacing the deck and any other damage discovered during the removal of the previous roof.
How is Roof Repair Different From Roof Replacement?
Roof repairs are limited to the roof’s damaged regions. Repairing may appear to be a smart alternative if the damage isn’t extensive. Even though the damaged area is little, it may be necessary to replace the entire roof.
There are two additional repair alternatives that you may have heard about. When roof damage affects more than one or two regions, partial replacement and re-roofing are occasionally given as cost-effective options. If you’re looking for a roof replacement near you. Contact us today!
What is a Partial Replacement?
When the damage to the roof is more substantial, partial replacement is often used, but just on one or two parts of the roof.
Partially replacing shingles entails removing all of the old shingles from a portion or side. Then, a new roof is built and blended with the old roof at the peaks and valleys.
The color of new shingles rarely matches the color of previous shingles. The major goal here is to avoid the patchwork effect when only a few damaged or missing shingles are repaired.
What is Re-roofing?
Simply speaking, re-roofing entails laying a new layer of asphalt shingles on top of the old. It might be called a repair because it does not replace the original shingles.
Each of these options for dealing with roof damage has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of repairing and replacing your roof.
Pros & Cons of Repairing Your Roof
Some homeowners make the mistake of deferring roof repairs until there is enough damage to justify hiring a roofer. However, the optimum time to address roof damage is as soon as you notice it.
Delays can result in more serious issues. For example, water can get behind the flashing or beneath the shingles. The wind might lift even more shingles if there are missing or broken shingles.
If left untreated, leaks into the attic or the house’s interior can cause thousands of dollars in damage.
After you’ve discovered any damage to your roof, determining whether to repair or replace it depends on various factors. (These are the eight variables you should concentrate on.)
When weighing the benefits and drawbacks of fixing your roof, four factors should be considered: the cost, the time it takes, the functionality, and the aesthetics.
Pros
- Cost – If the damage is modest or limited to a small area, repairing your roof may be less expensive than replacing it.
- Time – Repairing your roof takes less time than replacing it. This could be critical if the roof is exposed and inclement weather is forecast.
- Functionality – While a repair will not extend the life of your roof beyond its original lifespan, it may assist it in reaching its full potential. Repairing damage as soon as possible helps avoid the need for more extensive repairs in the future.
- Aesthetics – Roof damage can expose a roof to the elements and detract from the appearance of a home. Repairing the roof restores the street attractiveness and protects the roof from the weather.
Cons
- Cost – Repairing your roof can be more expensive per square foot instead of replacing it. You miss out on bulk prices for materials because it’s usually a limited area, and the effort involved is usually the same. A partial replacement (replacing a single section or side) may cost virtually as much as replacing the entire roof.
- Time – While repairs can frequently be completed quickly, keep in mind that they are temporary. The original roof’s age and quality are still limiting factors.
- Lifespan – Roof repairs may not solve underlying problems. Without removing the existing roof, the repair may be limited to access. Water damage or other underlying issues may go unnoticed. The deck and structure can be inspected when the roof is replaced.
- Aesthetics – Replacing missing or damaged shingles will rarely be a perfect match. As shingles age, some of their granules fall out, and the color fades. Even if you have shingles left over from the original installation, you are unlikely to find a precise match.
Pros & Cons of Partial Replacement
Here are the pros and cons of doing partial replacement.
Pros
- Cost – A partial roof replacement cost is only a few dollars per square foot, more expensive than a complete roof replacement.
- Time – Because partial roof repair focuses on a smaller region, it takes less time to accomplish.
- Functionality – It will behave like a new roof because the new section is a new roof with a fresh felt or moisture barrier and new shingles.
- Aesthetics – Replacing a few missing shingles rather than the full side or portion will make the new shingles stand out more. The new shingles go up to a ridge or valley, minimizing color and age disparities between the old and new shingles.
Cons
- Cost – The cost of removing and disposing of the old roofing material is often comparable to the cost of a complete residential or commercial roof replacement. Even for a tiny portion of the roof, the base costs of setting up the job, getting a crew on site, dumpsters for disposal, and so on don’t vary significantly.
- Time – The average residential roof replacement takes only 1–2 days. While partial replacement may save you time, it will not extend the life of the roof’s older components.
- Functionality – The new portion should last the same time as a new roof. However, keep in mind that it will not significantly lengthen the life of your roof.
- Aesthetics – Connecting the margins of the new section to a ridge or valley hides the transition between old and new, but it can also make the ridge or valley appear bulky or uneven.
Pros & Cons of Re-roofing Your Roof
Because it does not replace the original shingles, re-roofing is considered a repair. It just lays another layer of shingles on top of the previous one. It may provide some quick relief for a failing roof, but some significant disadvantages are.
Pros
- Cost – From a cost-per-square-foot standpoint, re-roofing is the most cost-effective approach to repair your roof. The savings can be significant because there is no labor involved in removing the roof. You’ll also save money because the old roof’s debris won’t have to be hauled away.
- Time – Re-roofing is the quickest option to replace your entire roof with new shingles.
- Functionality – A new layer of shingles provides an immediate layer of protection over an older layer that has begun to disintegrate.
- Aesthetics – If your old roof was soiled, damaged, or simply worn out, re-roofing will give it a new lease on life.
Cons
- Cost – Most building requirements limit the number of roofing layers to two. When it comes time to replace the roof completely, the expense of removing two layers may outweigh whatever savings you realized when you decided to re-roof.
- Time — Replacing a roof takes only 1–2 days on average, but it does not extend the life of your roof. Re-roofing may reduce the lifespan of your roof by many years.
- Lifespan – Shingles laid on top of old shingles have a shorter lifespan. When they’re affixed to a smooth surface, they work best. If new shingles are installed on top of old shingles, several shingle manufacturers’ warranties will be shortened or canceled. Another disadvantage of re-roofing is that it does not address any of the initial roof layer’s hidden problems.
- Aesthetics – If you’ve ever seen a lumpy or uneven roof, you may require re-roofing work. The second layer of shingles will ultimately adhere to the roof’s curve beneath them, curling up at the edges. If the first layer was a higher-quality roof, this could be even more of an issue. Architectural shingles, for example, are more dimensional than 3-tab shingles. Over the more curved look of architectural shingles, a second layer of shingles may have trouble laying flat. Wind and water may be blown up under the new layer due to this.
Conclusion
Repairs may appear to be a decent, short-term remedy from a cost standpoint, whereas roof replacement may appear to be overkill (especially if you only have a small leak).
However, it’s crucial to realize that repairing your roof, whether its metal roofs or asphalt roof, may not be enough to address your problem. A leak signals that your roof is collapsing. If this is the case, a roof replacement may be more cost-effective in the long term.
Not only that, but today’s roofing materials are superior to those of the past. Even if your roof is only ten years old, newer roofs are stronger, more energy-efficient, and better withstand damage than older roofs.
If you’re thinking about replacing or repairing your roof, make sure you consider the big picture. Don’t count on a fix to address the issue. A replacement maybe your best option in the long term. When replacing your roof, make sure to hire the best roofing contractor like TCI Manhattan for the roofing job. Contact us today for a free roof replacement estimate!
