Roof overlay is one of the options homeowners do consider when they need a new roof. A lot of people wonder if this method of roofing is a wise move. Before going into the details of this, it’s important to understand what roofing overlay is.

What Is Roofing Overlay?

Roofing overlay is a method of roofing that involves the laying of a roof on an existing roof. This is usually done to repair damaged roofs. So instead of ripping off the old roof, a new one is placed on it. Roofing overlay has a lot of benefits, and also some downsides. Some of the benefits of roofing overlay are that it helps to cut down the cost and money involved in removing the old roof. In addition, it also helps the cost of buying new materials. Comparative studies carried out on both roofing overlay, and installing a new roof has shown that roofing overlay helps to save up to 25% of the entire cost of installing a new roof. Although roofing overlay has some excellent benefits, it also has some risks associated with it.

What Are the Benefits Of Roofing Overlay?

Roofing overlay provides a lot of benefits for homeowners. Below are some of the benefits:

  • Reduced cost: Roofing overlay is less expensive, as compared to removing and installing a new roof. You can save a lot of money by installing a new roof on an old one. Especially considering that you don’t have pay for removing the old roof.
  • Less stress: Installing a new roof on an old roof saves a lot of stress and time, especially on the part of the homeowner.
  • Durability: Roofing overlay can last for a long time. However, this would only happen when the roofing overlay is done in the right way and also under the right condition
  • Warranty: Roof manufacturers would still warranty the roof for the same amount of time as a re-roof, provided it’s done by a professional roof installer.
  • Protection against storms: Roofing overlay can also serve as extra protection against storms and tornados. However, this would only happen when the old roof is still in good shape.

Above are the many benefits of roofing overlay. However, there are times when it’s best to rip off the old roof. Below are some of the reasons why it’s better to remove the old roof:

  • When there are already two layers of shingles on your roof: A lot of buildings have codes that only allows for only two layers of roofing in your In this case, as there are already two layers in your roof, the only option you have is to remove the old roof before installing the new one.
  • When the current shingles are not in good shape: One of the reasons why a roofing overlay is not acceptable is when the old shingles are in bad shape. The new shingle roof should lay flat on the old one. However, this would not be possible when the shingles of the old roof are In this case, totally removing the old roof would be the best option.
  • If your roof leaks when it rains: It’s best to avoid laying a roof over your old roof if it leaks during rainfall. Installing a new roof over an old roof that leaks would not stop the leaking. The ideal thing to do in this situation is to remove the old roof, and find out the cause of the leak, before installing a new roof.
  • If your roof is soft and has a spongy feeling: The only way to identify a soft or spongy roof is by walking on it. This may be a problem with the underlying sheath of the roof. To solve the problem, the old roof has to be removed, before a new one is installed. Roofing overlay would is not advised in this scenario.
  • If your roof can’t support the full weight: Although shingles don’t look like they weight a lot, however, the shingles needed to cover a large area can weight a lot. As an illustration, a typical 2000 square foot roof can weight around 10, 000kg. This is why it’s essential to ensure that the underlying structure of the roof can withstand the weight of another layer, before installing a new roof on the old one.

          How Should I Know to Make My Decision?

Installing a new roof, or getting a roof overlay is a significant decision that would involve a lot of money and time. It’s crucial to make the best decision. This is why you should consult a professional to inspect and thoroughly check the condition of the roof before deciding.

What Are The Risks Involved In Roofing Overlay?

Although roofing overlay has some good benefits, it also has some risks associated with it. Below are some of them:

  • Underlying damage: Installing overlay roofs does not solve problems with the old roof. While overlay roofing may fix leaking problems, it doesn’t repair damages under the layers of the old roof. This is why it’s important to seek the opinion of a professional before choosing to install a roof overlay.
  • Durability: Roofing overlay sometimes doesn’t last as long as a new roof. This is why you should consider the age and condition of the building before making a choice. They last when the old roof is in good shape, and the new roof is done by well, under the right conditions.
  • Zone restrictions: There are some zones that have restrictions on how many overlays can be added to a roof. In addition, the weight of the existing roof has to be considered. If your roof is already weighing down your building, adding an overlay might not be the best thing to do.
  • Insurability: Installing roof overlay may cause problems with your insurance company. However, this depends on the type of roof you use. As an illustration, some insurance companies do not like insuring a home with asphalt composition shingles laid on top of a cedar shake shingles. This is because of the vulnerability of the type of roof to hail damage. In addition, they’re also costlier to replace.
  • Flashings: These are metal coverings around sidewalls, chimney and so on, whose function is to prevent water from leaking under the roof. However, installing an overlying roof can compromise them.
  • Uneven appearance: Adding an extra layer to an already existing roof can disfigure the appearance of the building, which can reduce the aesthetic value of the building, and the overall value of the property.

References

Insurance | NRCA, National Roofing Contractors Association. (2019). Retrieved from http://www.nrca.net/roofing/Insurance-631

Roof system types | Everybody Needs a Roof. (2019). Retrieved from http://www.everybodyneedsaroof.com/roof-system-types

Roofing. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.angieslist.com/roofing/

The Best Roofing Contractors Near Me (with Free Estimates). (2019). Retrieved from https://www.thumbtack.com/k/roofing/near-me/