Superior Construction

With top-notch residential and commercial roofing repair services offered by Superior Construction Co., you can be sure that your roof is in good hands. Our roofers have the expertise that’s necessary in repairing or replacing any type of roofing system and pay close attention to every detail of a project. However, if you’re planning a shingle roof replacement and think that you’ll save money by installing new ones over your old ones, you might need to reconsider. 

While technically your roof can handle two layers of shingles, it’s widely accepted that it shouldn’t be done in any roofing, especially if the shingles are already badly curled and brittle. To address the question of whether or not a roof “overlay,” or roof-over, is beneficial for your home, emergency roof repair contractor Superior Construction Co. shares a bit of insight below:

Nailing a New Roof Over Your Old One Is Never a Good Idea

Whether you call it an overlay or a roof-over, both share the same meaning of installing new shingles over existing ones. Some homeowners decide to do this during their replacement project because it’s technically cheaper compared to a full replacement. As such, you might find it an enticing option since the overall costs will be less. And since there’s less labor involved, the overall construction time is also shortened. 

You’ll think that this may be a great good option if you need a new roof as soon as possible, but there’s a reason this isn’t recommended by professionals. There’s a lot of drawbacks from nailing a new roof over your old one, after all, and we’ve listed them below:

1. You Won’t Address Leaks. A roof overlay won’t get rid of leaks. In fact, you won’t be able to figure out where it’s coming from because of the multiple roofing layers. Water can also travel between the layers and then poke through somewhere else, which makes patching really difficult to do.

2. Your Home Will Deal With Additional and Unnecessary Weight. Having another roofing layer adds weight to the top of your home, which can compromise its overall structural integrity. The additional shingles also absorb more heat, which wears down the new shingles faster than if they were installed directly on wood sheathing. This can also be dangerous especially if you have an older home or it isn’t structurally sound.

3. You Won’t Know Your Roof’s Real Condition. Putting new shingles over your old ones won’t make your roof’s condition any better. For instance, your underlayment and decking might have leaking or rot problems and you won’t know about it unless a roof maintenance contractor does a more thorough inspection. If left unaddressed, it can lead to internal damage that becomes visible through your ceiling. By the time that happens, the repairs can become very costly.

4. Your Roof Won’t Look as Good and Strong as Before. A roof overlay isn’t durable and won’t last as long as a full roof replacement. Over the years, you’ll start to notice your shingles curling or lifting due to exposure and deterioration from the outdoor elements.

5. You’ll Get Lower Resale Value. Choosing a roof-over will only decrease the overall value of your home. So, if you’re planning to sell your home in a few years, a roofing overlay might not be the best decision for optimal resale value.

6. You’ll Need a Replacement Sooner Than Expected. A roof that deteriorates over time will always need replacing. Since it’s also more susceptible to be blown off in a storm, you’re more likely to need to have your roof replaced in a few years. The roof maintenance costs will also be more expensive since you’re basically going to replace two layers of roofing. This means double the labor and debris just to take off and dispose of old roofing material!

7. You Won’t Have an Ice and Water-Leak Barrier. You won’t be able to have an ice and water-leak barrier installed since it has to adhere directly to wood decking. When you have an ice dam during winter, melted ice can easily travel under the overlay, leak into your old roof and affect its structural integrity.

Choose Full Roofing Replacement Services Instead

You’re likely aware that a full roof replacement will mean more cost upfront and how it can disrupt your normal routine at home. But you need to keep in mind that this is only just temporary and that it’s for a better and more structurally sound roofing system. 

With our full roofing replacement, you can enjoy:

• Additional Roofing Options – This means you can have the option to change or upgrade to a better roofing material with our emergency roof repair and full replacement services. We’ll also help you choose the best materials for your project! For instance, you might want to switch to a synthetic roof underlayment instead of felt, or a CDX plywood decking instead of an OSB (oriented strand board). Of course, this all still depends on which is most ideal for your roof’s structure.

• A Completely Brand-New Roofing System – Since your entire roof is being replaced, even high-risk areas will be repaired and new flashing can be installed. This means you’ll have a watertight roof for years to come. A brand-new roof also adds to your home’s resale value, allowing you to more easily attract buyers should you decide to put your property on the market.

Since 1990, Superior Construction Co. has been serving home and business owners with only the best roofing services the industry has to offer. In your case, we know fully well that your home is your biggest investment, so we’ll take on your project with great care and responsibility. As we’ve mentioned earlier, we only use and install the best roofing materials available to ensure your long-term satisfaction. With our excellent residential roofing services, your tear-off and replacement will be worth the investment.

When it comes to residential and commercial roofing repair services, we have you covered. To get started, just contact Superior Construction Co. at (978) 807-1401 or by filling out our convenient contact form.