Roof Replacement vs Reroofing
One of the most important aspects of your home is the roof, and the installation and upkeep often represents a large initial and continuing investment for the life of the house. When it comes to the return on investment, for the most part reports indicate that a new roof will yield up to 80% of its original cost in the resale of a home, and 30% of real estate agents point to roof repair as one of the fastest ways to ensure the sale of a house. Considering its role in the structure and protection of your house and the value it adds overall, it is important to monitor the condition of your roof and take the right steps to maintain it. When it does come time to fix or replace your roof, the two most widely accepted options you have are reroofing and roof replacement. When choosing the path to take, it is important to know the pros and cons of each and assess them against your budget and other capabilities.
What is the Difference?
Overall, the best method for you will depend on a few things, including the lifespan of your roof and the amount of damage it has sustained. The first method to think about is reroofing, which is general the faster and more affordable method of repair which involves placing a new set of shingles over the existing set that has been compromised. Since this process doesn’t involve removing the old shingles and replacing the entire roof, it is generally the faster way to restore your roof. Additionally, it doesn’t necessitate extensive labor or materials like certain other methods, and therefore represents a more cost-effective method of repair. The cons of reroofing generally lie in the longevity and can vary depending on the extent of the damage to your current roof. For starters, reroofing usually does not last as long as a full roof replacement. Building codes also prohibit adding an additional layer of shingles if you already have two layers installed, so if the first reroofing layer fails you will end up having to fully replace the roof as it is prohibited to add an additional layer on top. Even if there is currently only one layer, if there is considerable enough damage to the shingles themselves or the deck underneath the roof will have to be replaced for structural and safety reasons. Additionally, since the existing singles are not being removed, it is difficult to know what kind of damage lies in the material underneath. 
Conversely, if most of the roof is undamaged and there are only a few isolated spots that need minor repair, you can opt for a more cosmetic fix and bypass a full replacement. For these reasons, it is essential to know which is right for your specific situation. The alternative to reroofing is a full roof replacement, in which all of the old shingles are stripped away, any material defects in the underlying deck are repaired or replaced and then new shingles are installed. This can involve a full replacement of the deck and underlayment in addition to new shingles, but that all depends on the current condition of the roof. The main advantages of this method lie in its longevity, as it is usually more durable than reroofing and is thought of as more of a long-term fix. The main con in replacement lies in the immediate cost and labor necessary for the project, as it is more expensive and time consuming than reroofing. With that being said, for the most part replacement will be more cost-effective in the long run.
Which Method is Right for Your Roof?
As mentioned above, an important thing to consider is your personal preference in terms of time and money you will want to spend repairing your roof. Generally, if you are looking for a quicker and cheaper method of repair, reroofing would better suit your needs. With that being said, there are situations where reroofing is not a suitable alternative and replacement cannot be avoided for the sake of saving time and money. If you don’t have any prior experience dealing with diagnosis and repairs like this it is important to contact a professional, not only for the work itself but for an initial consultation to assess exactly what needs to be done to maintain adequate structural integrity and safety of your roof. Although at first glance it can appear that there isn’t enough damage to merit a full replacement, closer examination by an experienced set of eyes can tell you otherwise. This is essential not only for the value of your house, but also for its structural integrity and the safety of anyone living in the house. For all of the reasons mentioned above, it is important not only to hire a roofing professional, but one that will take the time to assess your specific needs. Even if it necessitates a higher upfront cost, the more time and care initially put into the project will guarantee a high return on investment for the life of your roof.
