Depending on when your home was built, or when your roof was last replaced, the clock might be ticking on your shingle roof’s lifespan. Typically, they only last a couple of decades– even less if they’ve experienced a major weather event or sustained any other kind of damage.
If you’re sick of energy costs that seem to be perpetually rising, you might be considering making the switch to metal roofing, rather than replacing your roof with another standard shingle roof.
Do I need to tear down my shingle roof to get a new roof?
It is possible to re-shingle a roof without a tear-off. The re-shingling process just involves laying new shingles right on top of the existing ones in order to seal off any gaps and refresh the roof while saving time and money.
However, we don’t recommend the process of laying new shingles on top of your old ones. It kind of functions like a Band-Aid; temporarily covering up the problem but not actively fixing it.
There’s only a limited number of times you can re-shingle a roof, too. The more times you do it, the more the structural integrity of the roof will be compromised.
Many roofing companies won’t proceed with re-shingling if there’s more than two layers of shingles already present.
Additionally, without a tear-off, your roofers can’t get an accurate idea of the true condition of the roof. There could be water damage or mold problems hidden under all those shingles, causing further problems without the homeowner even knowing!
Do I need to tear down my shingle roof to get a metal roof?
A metal roof functions differently than a shingle roof– it’s much more durable and is built to withstand weather conditions that a shingle roof simply cannot.
Because of that, you don’t have to tear off a shingle roof in order to install a metal roof. If you have two or fewer layers of shingles on your roof, the metal roof can simply be installed over the shingles.
What if my shingle roof is very damaged?
A shingle roof that’s sustained a lot of damage will function differently than the average shingle roof. A roofing contractor will be able to take a thorough look at the roof and let you know what will be possible for your home.
However, even in the event of a damaged shingle roof, you may not need a tear-off. In order to install a metal roof on top, your roofing contractor might just install an underlayment between the single roof and the metal roof. This underlayment will provide additional support and protection, adding to the metal roof’s lifespan.
Should I always use an underlayment for installation of a metal roof?
For a damaged shingle roof, an underlayment may be a necessity.
But even if the existing shingle roof is in decent condition, an underlayment might be a wise investment. This added layer of protection keeps the metal roof from providing unnecessary stress on the existing shingles– which in turn makes it even more durable, ensuring that it’ll keep your house safe and dry for many years to come.
Is it possible to install a metal roof over a shingle roof?
In short, it’s very possible to install a metal roof over a shingle roof. In many cases, we’d even recommend it. It’s a great way to save some money while giving your home a durable, attractive, and energy-saving new roof.
If you have questions about installing a metal roof over your shingle roof, Metal Roof Pros are here to help you through every step of the process. Just reach out or give us a call to get started!