Asscher Roofing Company

Understanding a Roofing Overlay vs. Full Tear Off

What is Roofing Overlay?

A roofing overlay is when your roofer adds a second set of shingles directly over your existing roof. This is an option that homeowners lean towards when trying to save money on roofing repairs. It is important to be sure this is your roof’s first overlay. An overlay adds a significant amount of weight to your roofing system. A roof’s structure is only able to support no more than two roofing layers.

What is Roofing Full Tear-Off?

A roofing full tear-off is a tear of all the old roofing materials. Your roofing contractor will go section by section and remove all old roofing materials. The full tear-off process is crucial to begin a full roofing replacement. This process can be costly but it is a great investment for your home. A full roof replacement adds to your home’s resale value.

This blog post will cover the main pros and cons of a roofing overlay vs. complete tear-off.

Make the best decision

for your family and your roof.

Pros of Roofing Overlay

Reduce Costs of Labor and Materials

The cost of labor and materials when referring to a roofing overlay can be reduced by at least 25%. The cost of labor is reduced since the labor time is almost cut in half since tearing off the old shingles/roofing materials is avoided. There are also fewer materials needed to complete a roofing overlay, reducing the overall cost.

Reduced Installation Time

If you are in need of a quick fix for your roofing repair then a roofing layover may be a solution for you. A roofing overlay can reduce installation by avoiding tearing off all the old materials. This process can reduce your installation time by hours or even days. If you are in need of a quick fix before the upcoming winter months this might be an option for you.

Good for Quick Sales

If you are trying to sell your home then a roofing overlay is a quick affordable option to help you get your home on the market quickly. An overlay can be much quicker, cheaper, and a good temporary fix.

Cons of Roofing Overlay

Decrease Durability and Lifespan

When you get a roofing overlay vs. a complete tear-off you decrease the structural integrity of your roof. If you have any water damage underneath your old roofing system, there may be weak points or holes in the underlayer structure that need to be reinforced or replaced. The overlay layer of shingles traps heat which strains your new shingles.

Increase Structural Stress

When you add another layer to your roof this increases the overall structural weight of the roof. The added weight can add a significant amount of strain and stress on your roof over time especially if your roof is older.

Appearance

The appearance of your roof will not change drastically with a roofing overlay. If there are any noticeable dips or curves this will also appear in your new shingles.

Voided Warranties

When you opt into a roofing overlay instead of having a complete tear-off completed then you are running a risk of voiding your warranty. It is important to talk with your roofing provider and ask if you are covered with this kind of repair. Roofing overlays typically do not last as long as a complete roof replacement so warranties typically do not cover this type of repair.

Increased Long-term Costs

A roofing overlay will increase your long-term overall costs since eventually a full roof replacement will be needed. There will also be an increase in labor cost since two layers of roofing materials will need to be removed. There will also be an increase in the cost of materials since you will need new materials to complete a tear-off and full roof replacement.

Pros of Roofing Tear-off

Increase Durability

It is as simple as it sounds when you tear off the old layer of your roof you increase the durability when adding a completely brand new layer. The tear-off method allows you to fix any underlying rotted materials or leaks. This will enhance your roof’s overall durability with all new materials being used and its structural integrity is repurposed.

Increased Lifespan

When you increase the durability of your roof by completing a tear-off, you also increase your roof’s lifespan. When the durability is increased your new roofing system can last up to 20-30 years. This is ten years more than the expected lifespan of an overlay.

Easier Maintenance

A tear-off allows the detection of leaks or other issues easier since there is only one layer on your roof. When there is a leak with an overlay the water has to move through multiple layers which make the leaks harder to detect.

Added Resale Value

The tear-off method adds a completely brand new roof to your home which increases your home’s overall resale value! A new roofing system can easily add $10,000 to your home’s resale value. A new roof is a great selling point when putting your home on the market.

Cons of a Roofing Tear-off

Increase Up-front Costs

It is given when you completely tear off your old roof and replace it with a new one this can be a high upfront cost. This increases the amount of labor, materials, and debris removal of old materials. The labor costs will double since they will need to completely tear off the old layer and completely add a new layer. There could also be underlying issues such as rotted wood which could also be discovered and will increase the overall costs. The overall costs will increase but it saves your money, in the long run, to invest in a new roofing system.

Increased Time

If you have a tear-off completed this is going to increase your project time. This is a given since the old roofing layer needs to be removed before they can apply the new layer. There is also an increase in the time since you will need more materials and this will include the delivery time of all materials needed. There could also be underlining issues that could also increase project time as well.

Explore the Resources to Learn More About Roofing Overlays Vs. Full Tear-off:

Closing Notes:

Asscher Roofing Company wants to help you make the most educated decision when it comes to your roofing repair needs. We want to help educate you on your roofing replacement options.

We typically recommend a full roof replacement to reduce long-term costs, durability, and increase structural integrity. There are other advantages to a roofing tear-off you may want to consider when it is time to replace your roofing system.
We strive to give you the best quality and care when it comes to your roofing needs! Contact us today to schedule today.

Schedule Now

Back to Blog

Home

Roofing Overlay vs Full Tear off