When the roof on your Kansas City home is in bad shape, your options include having your whole roof replaced or having new shingles put on the current ones. Can you reroof over existing shingles? You’ll need to consider the pros and cons before making this decision. Knowing more about reroofing, including what constitutes a reroof and how it compares to a roof replacement, can help you understand this process better.
What Constitutes a Reroof?
What exactly is a reroof? This refers to having a new roof installed on an existing one. In other words, you have new shingles placed on top of your current ones. This differs from a roof replacement, which involves removing your current and installing a new roof.
Can You Reroof Over Existing Shingles?
It’s possible to install new shingles on existing ones. Doing this means you’ll have a new roof sooner since reroofing takes less time than a roof replacement. Reroofing is also less expensive than a roof replacement. Roofers only need to put new shingles on instead of removing your current roof and replacing it.
Disadvantages of Reroofing
Is this a good option for Kansas City homeowners? While it might save time and money, it’s not the ideal solution when you need a new roof. Although a roof replacement costs more and takes longer, it’s generally a better option. Learning more about the drawbacks of reroofing can help you understand why.
Having reroofing done comes with considerable disadvantages that you should consider. One of the biggest is that adding a new layer of shingles on your current ones adds weight to your roof. Depending on how many layers you already have and the weight of your new shingles, this can lead to structural problems with your home. Adding too much roof weight strains your house, which can lead to collapse in severe cases.
If you have reroofing done, remember that it’s not as long-lasting as a roof replacement. A whole new roofing system has a longer lifespan than a new layer of shingles placed on your current shingles.
Reroofing also means you won’t know if the decking and other layers below your shingles are in poor condition. During a roof replacement, roofers inspect all layers of your current roof to see if any need to be replaced. For example, if there’s wood rot in your roof decking, roofers will replace it as part of the replacement process. This helps ensure that your entire roofing system is in good condition.
Reroofing can put your home at an increased risk of ice dams in winter. A roof replacement includes having a new ice and water shield installed. With a reroof, you won’t have this done. If your current ice and water shield isn’t in good condition, your roof will be more prone to having ice dams develop, which can lead to roof leaks.
Having a reroof done can increase the risk of leaks overall. Shingles are designed to go on flat surfaces rather than other shingles. When you have a new layer placed on an existing one, you can end up with gaps that allow water through. Remember that your current shingles won’t be a good foundation for your new layer of shingles if worn, cracked, or crumbling.
Benefits of a Roof Replacement
A roof replacement offers important advantages compared to reroofing. You’ll have a whole new roofing system that provides superior protection from leaks, wind, pests, and other hazards. Replacing your roof also allows roofers to check the layers underneath and replace them as needed.
Having a roof replacement done gives you more shingle options to choose from. With reroofing, some shingles won’t work as a new layer due to their weight, shape, or other factors, such as the material they’re made from. You can choose the shingles you want when you have your roof replaced.
Who to Call About a New Roof
When you need a new roof, working with a reliable roofing company is essential. This helps ensure that your roof replacement is done correctly. Bill West Roofing has provided dependable roofing services for homeowners in Kansas City, MO, and the surrounding areas since 1976. This includes roof replacements.
We can help you choose new shingles that enhance your home. You can also count on us to handle the roof replacement process with expert care, from inspecting and removing your current roof to putting your new roof on and cleaning up afterward.
If you need a new roof, please contact Bill West Roofing. Our experienced roofers in Kansas City, MO, can replace your shingle roof with a brand-new one. We offer high-quality shingles from the top manufacturers in the roofing industry.