Need a new roof on your home but you’re unsure about all these roofing terms and how they affect pricing of your roof replacement? The biggest factor that can influence the price of your roof other than materials is how the roof is installed. Will the roofer in Ann Arbor Michigan use a tear off method or a re-roof method to replace your roof? While both can leave you with a brand new roof there are huge differences in price among other things. We take a look at each method in this post to help you better decide.
Roof Replacement in Ann Arbor Michigan : Is It Better to Tear Off or Re-Roof?
Since most roofing materials last a long time the need to have your roof replaced will only occur every 15 or so years. With either method used to install the roof you’ll still get the warranty and longevity that the roofing materials provide. So no matter what type of roofing method is used to install the new roof you’ll still have a new roof with a warranty which guarantees it’s lifespan.
With that being said, there are huge difference when it comes to these two roof installation methods. And the biggest factor that many people consider when choosing one is price. A re-roof can be much less expensive than a tear off and replacement. We’ll take a look at each method below:
What is a Tear Off?
For most homes in Michigan the roof is made from asphalt shingles. These asphalt shingles are placed on top of a felt or underlayment which is placed on top of the roof decking which is typically wood. During a tear off and replacement all the asphalt shingles along with any underlayment is removed from the roof. The roof is basically stripped down to the wood decking on the home. Then once this old roofing is removed a new roof is installed as if the home were new and roof underlayment and more is installed. Stripping the roof down like this can help to find problems in the roof decking which may have damage from previous leaks or storm damage. It is a very labor intensive process which will add to the overall project cost.
What is a Re-Roof?
When you decide to get a re-roof on your home the method of roof installation is a bit different. Instead of removing the old asphalt shingles and underlayment, the roof is simply left in place. A new layer of asphalt shingles are placed directly on top of the old roof and longer fasteners are used to secure the new roof to the roof decking through the old roof. You remove the need for removing the old roof which removes some of the labor charges as well as any debris removal costs. As you can imagine there are some drawbacks to this method as any problems with the roof decking are not likely repaired and will show up on the new roof.
During a re-roofing project there are some other problems as well. the biggest is that you can only install two layers of shingles on a home. The main reason is because the weight of the roofing will likely be more than the home can structurally support. This can also cause a problem in older homes where they aren’t as structurally sound as well. If your roof is already showing signs of sagging it may not be a good idea to have the home re-roofed. There may also be problems that are not addressed during the re-roof process as well. However, when the project is complete you should have a new roof installed which is less expensive than a tear off and replacement.
Talk with a Qualified Contractor
Before making a decision about your roof replacement project it’s always best to talk with a qualified roofing contractor about your specific needs. Some roofing contractors may also offer financing options to help with the roof replacement so you can get the roof you want, not just the one you can afford. One roofing contractor that offers both tear off and re-roofing along with financing options is A2 Roofing in Ann Arbor Michigan. Give them a call today at (734) 548-9915 for a free quote on your roof replacement.
