The roof is one of the most important parts of the house as it provides protection against rain, snow and other debris. A good roof can help the house stay in good shape for many years. It will keep the family safe and secured especially if proper maintenance work is undertaken regularly. By setting a timeframe for roof maintenance, you can easily spot roofing problems and do some renovation.
Roof renovations can be costly and they require hard work. Most often than not, homeowners opt to completely tear off their roofs, not knowing that there are other options available such as roof overlay. Roof overlay doesn’t require as much money and as much effort and if done by reputable roofing service providers, it can surely make the roof last longer.
If you’re wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of a complete roof tear off versus an overlay, we’re ready to shed some light on these roofing renovation options to help you decide which works best for your home and your budget.
Roof Tear Off
The complete roof tear-off method can be an option if the roof needs a total overhaul due to severe damage after natural calamities. Furnitures and other movable items must be kept in a safe place while the renovation is ongoing to prevent them from being damaged.
Pros
Longer lasting and more durable
New roofing will last longer since the entire roofing system will be replaced. It is also more durable compared to overlay because all kinds of damage will be fixed by completely removing the shingles and replacing the roof and nails.
Adds value to the property
With a totally new roof, the house can have better curb appeal and thus, will have more value. If the house is put on sale following a roof replacement, chances are, the owners will receive better offers.
Cons
Expensive
Tearing off the entire the roof will cost more compared with just doing a roof overlay. The price of roofing materials can be substantial, so complete tear offs are not recommended for homeowners with limited budget.
More time and manpower needed
Complete roof tear offs can take a week or a few weeks to be completed. It is not a one-man job even if the person has enough capabilities and skills. Don’t take the risk of assigning a complete roof tear off to incapable service providers to save money, doing so will only cost more in the long run.
Roof Overlay
Compared to the tear-off method, overlay is yet another way to renovate house roofing. This process will keep the existing roof as it is with new shingles placed on top of it. However, previously overlaid roofs can’t undergo the same process so it is only an option for homeowners who haven’t done roof overlays before.
Pros
Cheaper
While tearing off the entire roof can be very expensive, overlay offers a cheaper way to renovate the roofing. Instead of completely changing the roofing system, another layer of shingles will just be added to the existing roof, resulting to cheaper materials and lesser manpower needed.
Cons
Quality not guaranteed
Extra heat trapped in the added layers can make the roof brittle. With overlays, you can’t easily track leaks too.
Negative lasting power
Roof that has undergone overlay may not last longer as tore-off roof would because the added layer did not really resolve the existing roof problems, but only served as temporary fix.
Negative resale value
Added layers on the roof through overlay may not look appealing. There could be uneven layers of shingles or maybe tore-off edges that may result to the depreciation of the value of the property.
Both tear-off and overlay methods aim to solve existing roof problems but they differ in such a way that a tear-off is done as a permanent fix while overlay only provide relief or fast solution to roofing problems.
Both will cater to the basic need of keeping homeowners safe, however, the decision on which option to go will depend on the budget and needs of the homeowners.
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