A roof replacement is an immense undertaking that requires time, effort and money. That said, some homeowners look for other ways to keep the project costs low. For example they choose to have the new roof installed over the old one. This move, unfortunately, almost always leads to disastrous results.
As the leading roofing contractor in the area, we recommend having your old roof removed first before installing a new one. Continue reading as we explain what a roof overlay is and why it is not always a great option.
A roof overlay refers to a process in which a new set of shingles is installed over existing ones. It doesn’t involve a tear-off or the removal of the old roofing materials and components, making it a much faster and far less expensive roof replacement option. Building codes allow a roof overlay once as long as the old roof is still in good condition. If the roof already has two layers of shingles, it is no longer eligible for this solution and must be removed to make way for the new one.
Nailing a new roof over an old one has its problems. For one, the weight of the new shingles might prove to be too much, especially for an older home with weakened structural integrity. It is likely that the roof structure may cave in and collapse if it can no longer bear the additional load.
With an overlay, the roofing team can’t know for sure if the hidden components are still in good condition or not. Most issues are identifiable even when the old shingles aren’t removed, but signs of rot, mold or water damage on the underlayment and decking might not be apparent. Covering the old roof with a new one doesn’t resolve issues that the structure might have.
Perhaps, the most notable disadvantage of a roof overlay is the possibility of the new roof having a shortened lifespan. The top layer of shingles may curl or buckle when exposed to heat trapped beneath the old roof. It will have to be replaced eventually, which only shows that it is not a cost-effective roof replacement option.
Don’t make the mistake of nailing your new roof over your old one. Turn to Roof Masters for your roof replacement needs. Count on us for your other exterior home improvement projects as well, including windows and doors installation, and siding repair. Call (301) 230-7663, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve homeowners in Beltsville, MD, and the surrounding communities.