Tear-Off and Overlay: Pros and Cons

September 18, 2018

Do you have an old roof? Does it show signs that it’s time to get a new one? If it does, then it must be about time to consider roof replacement. This could be a costly project, but you can think of it as an investment. After all, your roof is what protects your home and your family who lives in it.

In reroofing, you can choose whether to overlay on your existing roof or to tear off the original roof and start from there. However, before you decide, there are pros and cons to be weighed for each method.

Tear-off

Pros:

• It’s like having a brand new roof: no rotten decking or hidden leaks.
• It adds to your home’s value. If you are planning to sell your property, having a complete roof replacement is definitely a must-do.
• Quality is guaranteed when the roof is entirely replaced. The roofers can install new flashings and they can repair other components of your roof in order to make your home free from leaks for a long time.
• A full tear-off roofing job will ensure a longer lifespan. Brand new roofs tend to trap less heat.

Cons:

• It is quite pricey. It can cost at least $1000. If you are short on budget, then this could be a crucial factor.
• Completely tearing off your old roof would require extra labor.

Consider These Smart Ways to Save Money in Getting a New Roof.

Overlay

Pros:

• If you have a limited budget, putting an additional layer of shingles on top of the old ones could be an option.
• You will be needing less labor to finish the roofing job.
• Unlike the tear-off method, you won’t have to remove the old roof so it basically takes less time to finish.

Cons:

• As shingles are just laid over the old ones, they won’t last long due to the absorption of heat caused by the multiple layers.
• It’s not visually appealing.
• It adds weight. This factor is critical to old houses.
• It can negatively affect your home’s resale value.
• You will have to replace it sooner or later. Tearing it off could be difficult because it has multiple layers. This would cost you more in the future.