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Possible scenario: The roof of your Tacoma home isn’t as shiny and attractive as it used to be, and you’ve started thinking about doing something about it. Make a move, be proactive, invest; your inner voice is whispering.

On the other hand, investing in a completely new roof is too much of an expense for you, which is understandable; roof replacement requires a substantial amount of money. However, during a search on the Internet or a conversation with neighbors or colleagues, you heard that you could, relatively inexpensively, refresh your home’s roof and improve its appearance and functionality.

Installing new shingles on top of the old ones popped up somewhere. A gleaming roof is back, and your budget is spared.

But is that truly the case? Will putting new shingles over the old ones solve all your problems, like a magic wand Cinderella’s outfit for the ball?

If you’re intrigued by this topic, read on to discover whether this investment will ultimately benefit or harm your home’s budget.

What Is the Term for Putting New Shingles on Top of the Old Ones?

The term for putting new shingles on top of the old ones is called re-roofing. Re-roofing is not a new roofing method, and most roofing systems are designed to withstand a second layer of asphalt shingles, which is what re-roofing is all about.

Therefore, during re-roofing, other elements that make up your roof, such as roof sheathing, are not inspected or replaced, but only a new, second layer of asphalt shingle is placed on the existing structure and on the already installed shingles.

Why Do People Consider Re-Roofing?

At first glance, re-roofing is a very efficient method of restoring the original functionality of a residential roof, and this is one of the reasons why people decide to re-roof. Likewise, putting new shingles over the old ones appeals to many because they recognize the obvious benefits of this roofing method.

What Are the Advantages of Putting Shingles Over Shingles?

Some of the advantages of re-roofing are:

  • Cost,
  • Efficiency, and
  • The visual appeal of the house.

Cost – While the complete replacement of the roof is a financially demanding endeavor that can cost several tens of thousands of dollars (depending on the material, the size of the roof, and the complexity of the installation), re-roofing does not require a lot of time and workforce and is far cheaper than a complete roof replacement.

Efficiency – Since removing old shingles and other roofing materials is unnecessary during re-roofing, the process is much faster and can be done in a few days. Also, in contrast to roof replacement, your home is risk-free regarding weather elements during the installation of new shingles on existing ones. With that being said, you do not need to fear that the rain will cause a problem and penetrate into the house.

The house’s visual appeal – Re-roofing is a convenient way to freshen up your roof, which may have darkened over time or become worn over the years due to weather damage. This can give your Tacoma roof a new, more attractive look that will help it stand out.

Disadvantages of Re-Roofing

While there are only a few advantages of re-roofing (which are not so attractive), the disadvantages, on the other hand, are much more serious.

Some of the disadvantages of re-roofing are:

  • Re-roofing will not make disappear issues related to the roof structure – If the roof sheathing or decking is in critical condition and requires replacement, re-roofing will not solve the underlying problem but only conceal it. This can become a major issue when scheduling a roof inspection for problems related to the roof’s structure rather than just the shingles themselves.
  • The longevity of your roof will be questionable with a second layer of asphalt shingles on the roof – As we mentioned earlier, some roofing issues will not disappear with re-roofing, and, eventually, you will have to replace the whole roof. In other words, if your roof is ready to be replaced, installing new shingles over the old ones will only prolong the inevitable. Therefore, when the time comes, you can expect to pay double the cost – first for the re-roofing and then for the complete installation.
  • The weight of your roof will be a concern, and there is a possibility that the roof of your entire house will collapse if additional weight is placed on it, such as a large accumulation of snow.
  • Even though roofing systems are designed to withstand a second layer of asphalt shingles, in reality, asphalt shingles aren’t meant for installation over humps, dips, and gaps of old shingles, since they are intended for flat surfaces. Therefore, the possibility of leakage is much higher because the water will find its way through the cracks and holes that will appear over time.

As we have seen, the drawbacks of installing new shingles over existing ones can be troublesome. So, you might be wondering, what alternatives are available in contrast to re-roofing?

Alternative Options in Contrast to Re-Roofing

There are three alternatives in contrast to re-roofing, which are:

  1. Repairing and Maintaining the Existing Roof,
  2. Partial Roof Replacement, and
  3. Complete Roof Replacement.

Repairing and Maintaining the Existing Roof

If you consider your home’s roof as the home’s element that needs regular maintenance (just like your family car), then you will maintain it regularly. You will schedule roof inspections (at least twice a year), and according to the report you receive, you will act to solve all issues that appear on your roof immediately and without delay. This way, the roof of your Tacoma home will remain functional for decades.

Partial Roof Replacement

A partial roof replacement is possible if your roof has only minor problems that need to be addressed. We emphasize minor problems because if half of the roof needs to be replaced, then a partial roof replacement is out of the question.

Of course, always keep in mind that a partial roof replacement will make your roof less appealing since it will look like patches on a poor man’s pants. Therefore, it’s important to consider whether this kind of appearance is something you are comfortable with projecting to the neighborhood.

Complete Roof Replacement

Although a complete roof replacement requires high financial costs and a certain amount of time, in the end, it is always a much better option than installing new shingles on an existing one.

Roof replacement guarantees the longevity of your roof and your family’s safety for decades to come, especially if you hire an experienced and knowledgeable roofing company for roof replacement.

Signs That It’s Time for Roof Replacement of Your Tacoma Home

If you are unsure if your Tacoma home is ready for a roof replacement, the following indicators should alarm you and prepare you for the next step. Wondering what would be the next step? The next step would be to call a roofing contractor in Tacoma and schedule a roof inspection to reveal the true condition of your roof and if it really has come time for roof replacement.

Signs that it’s time for roof replacement:

  • Massive leakage coming from your roof,
  • Shingle issues, like, missing shingles, curled ones, cracked, damaged, etc.
  • Damaged flashing,
  • Sagging roof,
  • Holes in the roof, visible during the attic inspection (beams of light coming through the top),
  • The appearance of moss and mold on the roof,
  • A lot of shingle granules in the gutters and around the house, etc.

Who to Call for Your Roof Replacement Needs in Tacoma, WA?

If you’ve determined that your roof needs to be replaced, it’s time to call Gutter & Roof Solution NW, a local Tacoma-based roofing company, and schedule a professional roof inspection.

Let our skilled professionals and roofers with decades of experience assess the condition of your roof and recommend the next steps.

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