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Shingle Roofing in Howell Michigan, Should I Tear-Off or Add Another Layer?

There are two main methods of which a roof can be installed on most homes. It actually has more to do with your current roofing and that is whether the old roof will be removed or not. Tearing off or shoveling off the old roofing materials to expose the roof decking has many advantages but it’s also more expensive than the alternative which is to re-roof or add another layer of roofing on the home. Since most homes in the Howell Michigan have shingle roofing installed these two roofing methods are common. Getting new shingle roofing in Howell Michigan will give you these two options in most cases. There are advantages and disadvantages to both which we’ll cover in this post. 

Shingle Roofing in Howell Michigan, Should I Tear-Off or Add Another Layer?

There are some limitations on adding another layer of roofing shingles to your home which you’ll need to be aware of. Adding more than 2 layers of roofing shingles is prohibited by local building codes. The additional weight that 3 layers of roofing shingles is usually too much for most homes and should not be done. Building codes do allow 2 layers of shingles however, so if your home has only a single layer of shingles it can be re-roofed with an additional layer of roofing in most cases.

Even the best-maintained roof will have to be replaced at some point. With the constant onslaught of weather and the erosion of time, a few annual repairs on your roof just won’t cut it anymore. At a certain point, your local roofing experts will recommend replacing that old roof with a new one instead of just repairing whatever is wrong with it.   When it comes to shingle roof replacement there are two paths you can take – either tearing everything off and putting a brand new one or simply overlaying the old with a new layer. Picking the right contractor and the best shingles for your job is incredibly important, but so is how you plan to go forward with your new roof!

Shingle Roofing in Howell Michigan, Should I Tear-Off or Add Another Layer?

Why You Should Tear-Off.

If your roof is looking worse for wear, it is highly recommended to do a full tear-off and replacement as the wood underneath can be highly damaged by water and wind. It is also highly recommended to get your shingles torn away if you already have two layers on it – regardless of whether it is shingle, tile, or slate. Tearing off this layer of shingles provides your roofing expert the opportunity to get a good view of everything that is going down on your wood decking underneath. A roof that is simply overlayed above bad decking can have numerous problems down the road causing you an additional headache and money.

Why You Should Add Another Layer.

All that being said, tearing off an existing roof can be labor-intensive and costly when compared to just simply adding a new layer. An overlay can save time and money without necessarily causing additional problems with the roof. If the wood decking on your roof is already in tip-top shape, then going through all the hassle to tear out a layer of shingles can be largely unnecessary. This is especially true for those that simply need to fix a house up so it can be put on the market and sold.

Be Aware of Local Regulations

A certified roofing professional should be aware of all local, county, and state laws determining how best to move forward with your roofing replacement. Some areas require that a new roof must first go through a tear-out beforehand while other allow for a single additional layer to overlay the old one. Even if your county allows for a simple overlay a good roofing contractor should be able to determine what the best course of action is to go forward – sometimes what is cheapest now isn’t what is cheapest down the road.   If you think you need your roofing replaced or just simply want it inspected, the experts of Livingston Roof Pros can help you. Our experienced company will be able to answer all your questions and guide you to a solution that will be more than satisfactory for you. Schedule an appointment today with one of our professionals at 517-940-8770 or contact us via our online form.

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