Here are some things to think about
If it’s time to replace your old asphalt shingle roof, one of the decisions you may be facing is whether to put new roofing shingles over your existing roof (a “recover”) or tear off the original and start afresh. A recover option is one way to reduce your short term financial outlay, but is not always the best investment.
A recover option is not always available, for example, if your roof already has multiple layers, curled shingles on your existing surface or the existence of any rot or mold a recover option is simply not viable. If a roofing contractor recommends recovering a roof in very bad condition – always get a second opinion. It is possible the contractor is seeking to cut corners with your job and install a roof that will only be, at best, a temporary curb appeal boost.
At Fisher Roofing, we always walk a roof to get a good idea of the quality and extent of decay. If your existing roof does not suffer these issues then a recover could you considerable money in the short term, yet there are still downsides to consider. For example, recovered roofs have a negative impact on your properties resale value and carry certain risks.
As experienced roofing contractors, we consider it our job to help homeowners come to the best solution for their budget and their roof – and each roof will be different, so don’t hesitate to contact us for a free evaluation. With that in mind, here are some general pros and cons to help you understand the issues that will impact your decisions.
| Advantages of tearing off your old roof | Disadvantages of tearing off your roof. |
|---|---|
| Your roof deck can be thoroughly inspected and any damaged and rotten sections can be replaced. | The most common reason customers choose a recover is because of the immediate cost difference. A recover will likely cost at least $1000 less than a tear off. This is due to: • Less labor cost because no one is tearing off the roof • There is no disposal cost that would have been incurred in a tearoff |
| High risk areas like valleys, eaves, rakes, sidewalls, and chimneys can be checked. New flashing assemblies can be installed. | |
| Your home will have greater value at resale the fewer roofing layers it has. | |
| A tear-off will typically outlast a recover by a number of years. This is mostly due to the fact that less heat gets trapped in the roof (due to no additional insulating “layers” of roofing). This heat will curl and damage your shingles over time. |
Recovering your roof
| CONS | PROs |
|---|---|
| At some point, time will come to replace your new roof. This time round there will be an additional layer to remove and your costs will be higher as a result. | It's a less costly option. |
| You lose the opportunity to have your roofing deck checked for possible damage due to leakage (that may not show inside house). | The roofing job will run more quickly as less labor is involved. |
| Leaks are more difficult to track through the extra layers of shingles. | |
| If old shingles are curling/lifting, this can telegraph through new shingles and affect appearance of the new roof. | |
| Heat build-up from the mass of shingles can shorten lifetime of the new shingles. | |
| The resale of the house may be impacted if there are multiple roof layers | |
| A tear-off will typically outlast a recover by a number of years. This is mostly due to the fact that less heat gets trapped in the roof (due to no additional insulating “layers” of roofing). This heat will curl and damage your shingles over time. |
Remember, a Fisher Roofing Project Manager would be happy to walk your roof, at no cost, and look for any issues you might run into. This can literally save you thousands of dollars. Call us now and discuss your roof replacement options.
