NEW ROOF OR REROOF

A roofing contractor will sometimes suggest a recover or reroof instead of tearing off your old roof first.  While this can sound like an attractive solution when budgets are limited - homeowners need to be aware of the pros and cons when considering their options.

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Reroof or Recover

Pros:

• Less expensive.
• Reduced labour and disposal costs without tear-off of existing roof.
• Shorter completion/installation times without tear-off, disposal and clean-up.

Cons:

• Reroofing can reduce the lifespan of roofing shingles.
• No opportunity to inspect the roof deck.
• Hidden damage can be covered over.
• Risk of transferring roof system defects to a new roof covering.
• Risk of trapping moisture from existing roof under a new membrane.
• Leaks more difficult to locate through additional layers.

• Curling/lifting shingles may ghost through new shingle layer.
• Heat buildup under extra shingle layer may shorten lifespan of new shingles.

New Roof

Pros: 

• Tear off of existing roof allows a complete inspection of the roof deck.
• Damaged or rotting material can be repaired or replaced.
• Chimneys, eaves, valleys, rakes and sidewalls can be checked.
• New flashing can be installed.
• Tear offs normally last longer than recovers by several years.

Cons:

• Additional labour costs for removal. 
• Additional costs for disposal.
• Longer completion times.
• Can leave roof unprotected between tear-off and replacement.

​                                       Please note that re-roofing over an existing membrane
                                   is not recommended by most major  roofing manufacturers.