Is it time for a new roof?
When choosing to re-roof your home, there are two ways to do it. One is the tear-off method, where your shingles are torn down to the bare wood deck. The second is a shingle over, where the existing shingles are simply “shingled over” with new shingles. As you might expect, there are pros and cons with both of these options, and your ultimate choice depends on your particular situation. Before deciding which method is best for you and your home, you’ll need to ask yourself some key questions:
- How old is the roof on your house now?
- How important is a Warranty to you?
- Is your roof currently leaking?
- What is the current condition of your shingles?
Shingle-Over Method – Pros and Cons
Shingling over is the process in which the roofing contractor installs new shingles over the existing shingles. This type of installation is not normally intended to last a very long time.
Pros:
- This is the least expensive way to get a new look to your house.
- A shingle-over can be done more quickly than a tear-off.
Cons:
- If your roof is in bad shape, shingling over will result in shingles that do not lay flat, resulting in a high percentage of blown-off shingles.
- Shingling over will not fix any leaks you may have.
- None of the metal flashing will get changed on your house.
- There is no way to tell if you have rotted wood.
- This process is simply putting a band-aid over your roof.
Tear-Off Method – Pros and Cons
The Martino team works on a tear-off roof installation.
The tear-off method – tearing off shingles to a bare wood deck – is widely considered by roofers, contractors, and people that know their roofs to be the best way to put a new roof on a house. Here at Martino Home Improvements, we believe that the best and only way to go about replacing your roof is the tear-off method.
Pros:
- You will be able to inspect the bare wood roof deck for any sign of rotted wood or imperfections.
- The proper amount of ice and water shield will be installed.
- The proper underlayment will be installed; years ago there was no code for underlayment, so many older homes are missing this entirely.
- New drip edge will be installed, which helps roof water run off into your gutters.
- New flashing and step flashing will be installed.
- The proper ventilation can be installed if necessary.
- The home owner can receive the full manufacturer warranty, which this year is a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- Only select contractors are able to give a 50-year non-prorated warranty.
Cons:
- Costs for a new roof with a tear off are 30-50% more money than a shingle over
- The time it takes to tear off and install a roofing system takes twice as long as a shingle over roof
If you are currently shopping around for a new roof and have any more questions regarding which roof replacement option is best for you, contact us today – we’re glad to help! Martino Home Improvements – your “one stop shop” for home improvements serving Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County.
