Between Tear Off and Overlay Which Is Better For New Roofing?

The thought of roof replacement is a nightmare that scares every homeowner. Come to think of it… why won’t it scare you, it’s usually costly. And if you fail to do the right thing, you may end up spending more.
 
I don’t need to remind you that your roof is the most important part of your house. It protects you and your family from all kinds of weather.
 
Interestingly, when replacing your roof, you have the option of either shingle over your existing roof or tear off the old roof and start again. Homeowners are always confused as to whether they should tear off the old roof or overlay on the existing ones. Don’t worry; this article will provide answers to your curiosity.
 

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Tear off, and overlays have their advantages and disadvantages. We will go over them and reveal some of the things you need to know about them to you. Once you are through with this article, you can make the choice that will work best for your roof.
 
But before we go over the advantages and disadvantages of tear-off and overlays, let me explain these two terms to you.
 
What’s The Meaning of “Tearing off a Roof”?
 
Tear off in this context refers to the process of removing old shingles and replace new ones. In a nutshell, it involves removing your existing roof and replaces them with new ones.
 
Homeowners often shy away from tearing off because it’s expensive and time-consuming. It requires you to remove and cart away existing shingles. Also, you need to remove any underlayment, seal, or flashing, 
 
As a rule, whatever you remove from the roof must be replaced. You see, it’s not only expensive but also time-consuming.
 
Meaning of New Shingles Overlay
 
Overlay is a method of reroofing in which you don’t remove old roofs. All you need to do is to install the new shingles over the existing installations. In some areas, this technique is called roof recovering. As it involves recovering the remnants of the old roofs and complements it with new roofing.
 
With this method, tear off is not necessary. You may not even need underlayment or flashing. All you need is to lay over new shingles on the existing ones, and you are good to go. It’s as simple as that.
Generally, an overlay is cheaper, more comfortable and less time consuming than tearing off and replacement. But you can only carry out overlay on a roof once. In other words, once you lay over new shingles on existing ones, you will not be able to do it again in the future. Once there’s leak or issue with a roof that has been overlain, you need to plan for a complete replacement.
 
As a note of warning, never overlay your roof if there’s severe water damage or mold to the ceiling. Also, it’s a wrong idea to overlay a new roof if the current shingles are severely curling due to heat and sun.
 
Advantage of Tear off (Roof Recovering)
 
Full Replacement
 
One of the benefits of roof recovering is that you get a brand new roof. So, all old roofs, underlayment, seals, and flashings are tossed away.
 
Whenever you opt for tear-off, your new roof will not have any issue for a long time. And you could enjoy your new roof for the next 20 to 30 years without problems provided you are carrying out routine maintenance.
 
Another bright side of tear-off is that it allows roofing contractors to inspect the actual condition of your roof carefully.
 
From my experience as a roofer, I can tell you that tear off will deliver a brand new roof designed to last for a long time.
 
Opportunity to Upgrade Your Roof 
 
Tear off is like a complete roof replacement. You can decide to upgrade your roof to a different kind after the tear-off. It requires extra cash, but if you have the budget, it’s a great way to improve your roof.
 
Whether you want to upgrade to a new kind of roof or work on the decking, water barrier, and flashings. You can either upgrade them to newer materials or give them a fresh coat for leak-free watertight home.
 
Tear off makes Roof Very Durable
 
Tearing off existing shingles is like resetting the lifespan of your roof. When you don’t overlay on old shingles, your roof will last longer. This is because a single layer roof traps less heat and has better ventilation.
 
It Improves Your Home Value
There’s nothing that adds value to your home than a new roof. And tearing off old shingles improves the aesthetic of your home. Additionally, any potential buyer is willing to pay more for a newly roofed house.
 
The disadvantages of Tear-off
 
It’s Expensive
 
If you have a very lean budget, tear off is a no go area for you. Do you know why? It’s costly. The cost of removing existing shingles, upgrading decking, flashings, etc., is not pocket-friendly.
Without a doubt, roof recovering comes with a lot of hidden costs. You should be ready to pay additional cost like dumpster rental, haul away, and landfill fees.
 
It’s Time Consuming
 
Generally, roof recovering (tear off) is time-consuming. Most often than none, roofers usually spend a lot of time working on a new roof replacement.
 
Advantage of Overlay
 
It’s Very Affordable
 
If you have a low budget for your roof, an overlay is a good option for you. It doesn’t require much except adding new shingles on existing ones. But you will need to buy new nails and glue for excellent finishing. Also, if you opt for overlay, the cost of labor and other roofing expenses is relatively very low.
 
It’s Simple
 
Overlay involves a straightforward process and doesn’t take much of your time. Perhaps, that’s why this method is budget-friendly. It’s as simple as laying new shingles and nails them in place.
 
Disadvantage of Overlay
 
It’s Not Durable
 
An overlay is just a short term solution to a long term problem. It’s like a palliative measure to prevent the roof from degenerating.
 
It can’t stand the test of time as a roofer can miss repairs to roof or decking during the process of the overlay. Also, this technique makes shingles to wear out faster. This is because having two shingles layers (old and new one) will trap more heat to the roof. And the less ventilation your shingles get, the faster they wear.
 
Difficult To “Deck Check” In The Future
 
Sometimes, you may want to check the condition of decking and underlayment under your roof. Trust me; installing new shingles on the old ones will prevent you for checking conditions beneath the roof.
 
It could be a severe threat to your roof in the future. Do you know why? Leaks, cracks, or damage in the roof will degenerate into more serious repairs that will cost you more money.
 
Almost Impossible To Trace Problem On Your Roof
 
Ordinarily, overlay gives you two roofs. And when your roof starts having an issue, it will be complicated for you to trace the source of such issue. It could be damage or a leak, whatever the problem is, your roofer will find it challenging to locate it.
 
It Doesn’t Give Resell Value to Your Roof
 
If you are planning to sell your property, getting your roof overlayed may affect it negatively. Any buyer who understands how roof works will not want to buy a property with an overlay roof. Sometimes, the overlay can trigger premature roofing replacement.
 
Conclusion
 
The roof is an essential component of your home; it’s not a place to cut corners. A well-installed roof will is critical to the integrity of your home and protects it from harsh weather. You see, this is why you must take the decision to tear off vs. overlaying very serious.
Whatever decision you are making, always consider how the technique you are choosing is contributing to the long term durability of your roof.

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