In regards to protecting your home, your roof is the single most important element. There are a variety of roofing and shingle options, some of which allow you to “re-roof” rather than replace when damage and age require action. Researching your roofing options and weighing the benefits for each could wind up saving you time and money.

What is Re-roofing?

Adding new roofing materials over the top of old materials is called re-roofing. This process is not possible with wood or slate shingles, but can be done efficiently with asphalt or composition shingles. It’s important that you never mix roofing materials when laying new shingles over old ones, and that you ensure the old roofing is in adequate condition for covering.

A common misconception among homeowners who are concerned about the protection provided by their roof is that having multiple layers of shingles could be a protective benefit. This assumption is false, but while having layers of shingles on your roof may not wind up being a benefit of protection, it can definitely be a benefit of cost.

When you replace your roof, one of the major requirements is messy and laborious shingle removal, which racks up the financial cost of your roof repair financially. If your roof is in stable condition, replacement may not be necessary and you can save money on your roofing job by laying new shingles over the old ones.

Replacing your shingles ensures that the materials on your roof are new and sturdy because they haven’t yet endured anything to cause wear or damage. Laying new shingles atop the old ones on your roof is a cheaper alternative now, but really just delays the cost of a new roof. When it comes time for you to invest in a new roof, you’ll actually spend more money by covering up the existing roof now. The cost of overlay in addition to the cost of two-layer shingle removal will add up much quicker than the initial cost of replacing your roof.