LePage and Sons Roofing LLC

One of the most important components of your home is your residential roofing system. It’s also worth noting that it’s also one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your lifetime. After all, you’re responsible for ensuring that your home remains comfortable and energy-efficient by booking regular maintenance sessions and having home improvement upgrades that will increase your roof’s functionality and efficiency. Of course, all of these activities should be carried out by a skilled and certified roofing contractor so that you can maximize your investment.

With that in mind, even if you’re utilizing topnotch roofing materials installed by the most revered contractor in the country, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace your roof due to natural wear and tear. Different roofing materials have varying lifespans. For instance, a fiber cement shingle roof can last for up to 25 years, and other premium roofing materials such as copper, tile, and slate, can last for more than 50 years as long as they’re properly maintained. This goes to show how important it is to know your roofing system’s expected lifespan and the signs that tell you it’s time to have it replaced.

When you’re due for a roof replacement project, your roofing contractor will offer to have your roof overlaid, or completely torn-off, with the latter as the recommended choice. In this post, your trusted roof installation and repair specialist, LePage Sons and Roofing LLC, shares a detailed guide on roof tear-offs and why it’s an option that you should strongly consider.

Why Are Roof Tear-Offs Better Than Overlaying?

Before the start of your roof replacement project, your roofer will provide you with two options: to have a roof overlay, or a complete tear-off. If you choose to go for the roof overlay route, you’ll keep your current roofing system intact, and your roofer will install the new materials over it. A few instances where this can be a good option is when you’re on an absolutely tight budget, or if you know that your roof hasn’t been overlaid previously. However, it brings along more drawbacks than benefits, unfortunately.

Your roofing company will tell you that an overlaid roof won’t last as long as their prescribed lifespan due to the intense heat that’s trapped between the extra layers. Other than that, it also adds a ton of weight to your home’s support structure. In fact, it’s like you’ve added another layer of roof onto your home. This can be the cause of numerous structural issues, especially if you have an older home since your structure and foundation might not be strong enough to handle the extra weight that’s put onto your roof. 

Additionally, it doesn’t help your home’s curb appeal and resale value since it doesn’t look like a brand new roof due to the curled and buckled shingles that are lying underneath. It also gives your roofing contractor a harder time during inspection and maintenance routines since it’s impossible to check issues under multiple layers. Remember that water can find its way through these layers and come out from somewhere else, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the roofing leak. 

Roof Tear-Offs Are a Long-Term Investment

If you choose to have a complete roof tear-off during your roof replacement project, your roofing contractor will remove your existing roofing system. This means that they will remove your old shingles, dated underlayment and damaged decking with possible mold and mildew growth. They will replace it with quality, brand-new materials that will breathe new life into your roof. When you choose to have a roof tear-off, you’re invigorating your home as you’ve made a long-term investment that will make your home look beautiful and energy-efficient for the years to come. To put this into perspective, a new roof can last for around 20-30 years, depending on the materials you’ve picked, as well as the elements and the local climate.

It’s understandable that a full roof replacement project is a significant investment, so if you lack a budget to carry out a full replacement, you can opt for a roof tear-off as this is the best alternative to getting a brand new roof. You can use this time to save up for a brand new roof, without having to worry about the consequences of having a damaged and dilapidated roofing system. It’s also worth noting that it reduces the stress that’s placed on your foundation and structure since it only has to support one layer of shingles, compared to a roof overlay where multiple layers are present.

It Improves Your Home’s Curb Appeal

One of the main drawbacks of having a roof overlay project according to your roofing contractor would be that it makes your home look outdated, even after the project is done. This is true, especially if the shingles below the newer layers have existing issues, like curled or rotted shingles. In fact, having a roof overlay project can emphasize these issues, making it stand out when your neighbors come across your home during their morning stroll.

Increases Your Home’s Resale Value

If you have plans to sell your home in the near future, then having a roof tear-off is a great choice since you won’t have to spend as much when you’re going for a full-blown roof replacement if you have plans to move out in the future. Remember that your roof plays a major part in your home’s resale value. In fact, a roof tear-off or replacement can give you up to 105% return on your investment which is no small feat, However, if you have a roof overlay, your home’s value could decrease, as well as its curb appeal since prospective buyers could be turned off at the fact that your home has old shingles underneath it and that they’ll have to be responsible for it. In summation, it’s better to have a roof tear-off over a roof over if you aren’t ready to have a full roof replacement.

LePage Sons and Roofing LLC are here to ensure your investment in your roof is one that supports long-term performance. We’re the trusted roofing company in your area. As a GAF Master Elite® roofer, our team provides efficient and courteous service, making sure we perform roofing work that follows the manufacturer’s standards. To get started with your roofing project, call us today at (508) 295-6483. You may also fill out our contact form for a roof estimate.