Should Old Shingles Be Removed
The importance of having a proper roof over your head is to provide shelter, but an adequate roof goes ahead to also protect the overall building from damage. Roofs get old, and when they do, a replacement should be on the offing.
Because reroofing is not a foreign idea, many may choose to take that route, but if you are still undecided, here are reasons why tearing off the existing roof before installing a brand new one is good:
The advantage of tearing off a damaged roof is that your new roof will benefit from a proper installment.
When the old roof is out of the way, the new top starts from scratch and has the potential of being laid on a flat surface with no obstructions therefore, it will be firmly attached, and the entire roof will have an even surface.
The biggest reason behind reroofing is that homeowners have this fancy idea that they aresaving money in labor, shortening the time needed to complete the project, and finding it easy to manage the roof replacement process.
The truth is that reroofing is a bad idea because the layers of roofing materials stalked on top of each other will need to be dismantled at the end of the day. The homeowner will pay more money to have it torn apart as it will involve more than tearing off one layer after another.
Overall, reroofing in the name of cost management is just a delay tactic.
Add Underlayer Or Not
Whether to install the underlayer is also an issue. Shingles have a rough texture, which can rub against metal and cause it to lose its protective coating. As the metal wears down, it can be more susceptible to corrosion, thinning, and scratches, reducing the roof’s lifespan.
An underlayment placed between the layer of shingles and metal can prevent these issues. Which type you use will depend on the type of metal you’re installing.
Can You Put A Metal Roof Over Three Layers Of Shingles
If you research how to install a metal roof over shingles, youll find that you cannot put a metal roof over three layers of shingles in most cases. A majority of local building departments will allow one or two layers over of shingles, but not three. Check with yours before you make any decisions or start your project.
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Roof In Disrepair Avoid A Costly Replacement By Shingling Over Old Shingles
Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content.
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- Skill Level:Advanced
If conditions are right, new shingles laid over old ones can be just as attractive and durable as shingles laid on bare sheathing. Installation is easier than for a tear-off job, since you can use the existing shingles as guides for laying the new ones. However, you must take care to install shingles correctly so they lie flat. And a good job involves installing new flashings rather than relying on the existing ones.
Reroofing jobs are sometimes done without replacing flashings. However, installing new flashings, including special drip-edge flashings made for reroofing, will ensure a tight seal and a long life. Some roofers install a layer of waterproof shingle underlayment over the existing shingles at the eave end, as would be done for a roof laid on bare sheathing. This provides added protection against ice dams.
Asphalt shingles can be laid over cedar shakes or shingles, but this is a roofing project best left to the pros. Beveled wood pieces called “horsefeathers” must be laid along the thick edges of the shakes to make a fairly flat surface. Before you reshingle a roof, read our step-by-step guide for adding new shingles over old ones.
When Can You Install A Layover
Layovers as a repair technique are the equivalent of putting a bandaid on a bandaid. It doesnt look right and it just makes things worse. Even the ideal conditions for a layover arent ideal. Your roof would have to be lacking any of the signifies that repair is necessary, which would mean that youd basically have to have a new roof. But a layover is bad for your new roof!
A second layer of shingles will decrease the integrity of your new roof and lower its lifespan. Thats because shingles arent designed to have a second layer of shingles on top of them! Plus, all that extra moisture and heat being applied to the first layer of shingles will make that first layer age faster.
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Pros And Cons Of Going Over Existing Roof Material
Q. I would like to know what the pros and cons are in regards to putting on a metal roof over your existing shingles versus removing the shingles, and also if the warrenty is any different if you leave the shingles on. Thanks for your time.
A. Like all such questions, more details are required before a definitive opinion can be offered. But I can give you some guidelines here and my free booklet expands on most of these.
Regarding the seond part of your question installations of this type over approved substrates are covered by the manufacturers warranty and should in no way compromise the longevity and performance of the metal roof.Thanks for the interest, and good luck with your new roof project!
Benefits Of Sturdy Metal Roofs
When you install your new metal roof over an existing shingle roof, you immediately save money that normally would be spent to have the old roof torn off. But this is just one of many benefits of a metal roof. Here are four more:
1. Long life: A properly installed metal roof should last for 40 or 50 years or more before a replacement is needed.
2. Virtually impervious to damage: Metal roofs hold up in the most intense weather events from pounding hail and ice storms to gale-force winds and searing summer heat.
3. Very low maintenance: Because of their strength, metal roofs wont require regular, expensive repair jobs. Year after year, decade after decade, they retain their soundness.
4. Lowered cooling bills: As noted above, special coatings on metal roofs allow them to reflect and block heat rather than absorb it. This results in cooler interior temperatures in the summer and less need to use your AC system.
If youd like to know more about metal roof installation or metal roofing in general, contact the experts, Advanced Aluminum of Lakeland, FL. We manufacture top-grade metal roofing products used by leading contractors across the Lakeland region. Reach us with questions at 648-5787.
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Can You Install A Metal Roof Over Shingles
One of the biggest questions homeowners have when they start thinking about replacing their roof is whether or not they can install the new roof over the existing one. This question especially arises when the homeowner plans on replacing a shingled roof with a metal roof. So, can you put metal panels over shingles?
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How Does Installing Metal Roofing Over Shingles Work
Before even starting the process of installing metal roofing over shingles, you need to contact local building officials to ensure it can be done. The majority of areas allow for a re-roof over one layer of shingles, while some do allow for a re-roof over two layers of shingles.
Youll want to get this sorted out immediately before you invest in researching a new roofer or worse yet, investing money into a roof you cant have installed on your home.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Can You Install Metal Roofing Over A Shingle Roof
In almost every case, the answer is yes, you can lay down a new metal roof over an existing shingle roof. This is one of the many reasons metal roofs keep growing in popularity their installation doesnt require completely tearing off the existing roof, which is a time-consuming and expensive job.
Metal, although super-strong, is very light, weighing less than a pound per square foot compared with as much as four pounds per square foot for asphalt shingles. Adding a metal roof over existing shingles doesnt significantly increase the overall load for the home structure to bear.
Along with saving the cost of completely removing the existing roof, installing a new metal roof over a current roof also brings the benefit of additional insulation above your home to prevent heat and cool from escaping.
And since we mentioned insulation, we should also mention that metal roofs are heat-blockers they reflect heat away from their surfaces rather than absorb it. This means the extra insulation from your shingle roof will not act as a heat trap for heat emanating through your metal roof.
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Metal Overlay Vs Full Roof Replacement: Which Is Better
If youre looking to save on roof installation costs, a metal overlay is a worthwhile consideration if and only if theres minimal potential for structural problems down the road. In terms of long-term performance, however, opting for a complete roof replacement is typically the best course of action.
A complete replacement will not only ensure your roof retains its stated warranty, but also help ensure the longevity of your new roof. While most new metal roofs boast lifespans of 40 to 70 years, overlays generally deteriorate faster than their singularly installed counterparts. As a result, homeowners spend more on repair costs and ultimately end up replacing the roof anyway. Despite its larger initial investment, over the long term, a complete roof replacement almost always proves the more cost-effective option.
How Long Will An Overlay Roof Last
A traditional asphalt roof has a lifespan of anywhere from 12-20 years. While there are more high-end products that can last longer, this is the average.
An overlay roof will have a shorter lifespan than the average asphalt roof.
Since an overlay roof is made up of two layers of shingles, it traps much more heat and is prone to issues that can occur between the two layers. For example, if your home frequently builds up ice dams in the winter, its possible that those ice dams could form between the two layers of the roof, causing serious leaks and water damage over time. With the potential for these issues, an overlay roof tends to have a shorter lifespan than the first layer roof.
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Can You Overlay A Metal Roof
Yes. In fact, if youre serious about overlaying your asphalt roof, rather than tearing off your existing roof before replacing it, a metal roof is often a better choice. Since metal is so lightweight, you dont run as much risk putting too great of a load on your roof system. If your states building code allows for roof overlays, your roofer can install a metal roof on top of your existing asphalt roof.
Can I Install A Metal Roof Over Shingles
When it comes to replacing your roof, you may be considering a transition to metal instead of wood or asphalt shingles. After all, there are many benefits to metal roofs.
The biggest question people have about metal roofs is if you can install this roofing over the top of asphalt shingles. The short answer is yes. In most cases, it is possible to place metal roofs directly over shingles without removing the existing roof. However, there are some situations where it wouldn’t be possible.
Keep reading to learn all about installing a metal roof over shingles and the dos and don’ts of this roofing method, including metal roof over shingles problems you may experience during or after installation.
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Can You Overlay A Shingle Roof
Overlay: With an overlay, you keep your current shingle roof, and then shingle on top of it instead. It is important to know that this option can only be used if your roof has not been previously overlaid.
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Can You Install A New Metal Roof On Top Of An Old One
When it comes to metal roof installation, our team of roof plumbers in Melbourne get a lot of common questions.
A lot of these questions revolve around heat or noise .
Sometimes however, we get some more out-there queries.
For example, youd be surprised how many people ask whether its possible to install a new metal roof directly over an old one.
You may be chuckling to yourself. Who would ask something like that? Of course reroofing requires you to strip the old one first.
Yeah, about that we think the following information might surprise you!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Roofing Over Shingles
Below are the most common questions and FAQS we get from customers about roofing and roofing materials.
Metal roofing is a more durable and economical option than shingles. And the installation process is much easier, too.
Metal roofs are made from steel sheets, which are durable and long-lasting. They also have a high resistance to fire and hail damage, while being more affordable than some other roofing materials.
The installation process for a metal roof is simple as well it can be done in just one day!
Metal roofing is a type of roofing material that has been around for many years. It is often chosen because it has a long lifespan and can be made to look like other materials, like slate.
Metal roofs can last much longer than other types of roofing materials, including shingles.
They also have the benefit of being able to replicate the look of another type of material, such as slate or copper.
The cost is one factor that may turn people away from this type of roofing. The initial cost may be higher than with other types of roofing and there may be a shorter return on investment.
The durability of the shingles is another factor that may turn people away from this type of roofing. Although they are considered to be durable and long-lasting, they can still wear down over time.
When You Can And Cannot Reroof Over Existing Shingles
Your existing layer of roof shingles is deteriorating and you need to get a new roof installed. One question you might have is Can I reroof over existing shingles? The answer is, It depends. State regulations and the condition of your roof both play a role in determining if you need a roof replacement-tear off vs cover over.
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Roofing Over Your Existing Roof: Cons
There are several downsides to recovering an existing roof. Most of them have to do with the fact that, what youd be saving in time and money right now, youll have to pay for somewhere down the road.
Lets look at the main disadvantages:
Problems can go unnoticed. Is there a chance your old roof has leaks, mold, algae, or rot? Check out these 7 warning signs. But even if you cant see it, the damage might still be there. In that case, the last thing you want to do is cover it with a new roof. Then, problems will likely continue to get worse. Plus youll eventually have to go through the new roof layer to fix it.
Youre adding weight on your roof. Your house will suddenly have to hold up twice as much weight. That puts stress on the underlying structure of your roof.
More shingles = more heat. Too much heat can damage roof shingles. When that happens, they start to look curled and misshapen. Your roof will trap less heat if it only has one layer.
Your next roof replacement will be even more expensive. When the house eventually needs a full roof replacement, it will cost more. We cant add a third layer of shingles, so wed have to rip out the two old layers. And wed need to address damage to the bottom layer that might have gone unnoticed before.
Restoring Old Metal Roofs
Restoring or coating an old roof is not advisable in cases where the roof is already so badly deteriorated that its structural integrity is questionable. This is not safe and will only serve as a temporary extension on your roofs lifespan an extension that would most likely only give you a few months to a few years in value. It would be better to completely replace the entire roof than try to fix one that has clearly outlived its purpose.
Luckily, if your roof is still in good condition, a restoration project can have highly beneficial outcomes. Minor leaks and early signs of corrosion can be addressed through restoration.
Restoration involves the application of a protective layer. Applying this coat every few years will help to extend your metal roofs lifespan. Prolonging the need for the high cost of roof replacement that would take days to do. Overall, its an important maintenance step that can extend your roofs life.
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