It’s not entirely uncommon for new roofing materials to be installed over an existing roof; however, it’s not always the most recommended method for roof replacement. Roofing on top of an existing roof is also referred to as reroofing or adding a roofing overlay. In this process, your roofing contractor would install the new roof on top of the existing one, thereby omitting the removal of existing roofing materials. It’s important to note that this can only be done once, because you can not have more than two layers of shingles on your roof.
Reroofing vs Roof Replacement
There are some circumstances in which reroofing may make sense. For example, if your roofing system is not failing, but is just old and losing functionality, reroofing might be a viable option as it requires less time and labor, and is therefore less expensive to execute. That said, if your roof has curling, damaged, or missing shingles, or leaks, it will be important to remove existing shingles in order to adequately address those issues and keep them from persisting.
Generally speaking, the most conscientious course of action involves removing your old roof and here are our top 5 reasons why.
1– Warranty Issues
Oftentimes, the warranty attached to a new roofing system or new shingles is voided when installed on top of an existing roof. When you’re digging deep financially to handle a project this major for your home or building, you’re going to want to do it right, and be able to take full advantage of warranties that protect your investment in the long term.
2– Old Nails Can Cause Damage
Another risk you take when you install on top of existing roofing is that old nails can back out of the old roof underlay and cause damage to the new roofing materials added. When you opt to remove the old roof before moving forward with roof replacement, you eliminate this risk.
3– Additional Cost of Removal is Minimal
Though it is less expensive to reroof, it’s not that much less expensive. Sure you’ll save a little cash on labor, but is it really worth cutting corners? At Tennessee Roofing and Construction, we tend to think not. If you’ve already decided to invest in upgrading your home or building with professional roofing services, you might as well do it right.
4– Roof Inspections Are More Difficult with Multiple Layers
When you have multiple roofing layers stacked on top of each other, it’s more difficult for your roofing contractor to accurately assess the state of your roof. Roof inspections can save you a lot of time and money in costly repairs by helping you detect issues early before they become dire. If your contractor can’t adequately see what’s going on under all the layers of shingles, your inspection cannot be conducted as thoroughly.
5– Layered Shingles Can Cause Damage
The fact of the matter is that shingles and roofing materials are heavy. When you choose to layer them on top of one another, you’re adding weight to the top of your home or building that could potentially result in structural damage and other issues.
So even though building code allows for up to two roofing systems to be installed on a building at a time, we firmly believe it’s best practice to remove old shingles and materials and start fresh. If you have any questions about Chattanooga roof replacement or reroofing options, feel free to contact our team of roofing experts at Tennessee Roofing and Construction. We’d be happy to help you figure out the best options for your situation, or provide a quote for roof work at your property.
