Roof Replacement VS Roof Overlay: What Is the Difference?
Once your roof starts exhibiting age or damage, you will be faced with a tough decision over a possible complete roof replacement or roof overlay (also referred to as re-roofing).
Both options can work to make the roof look new and functional again, but they significantly differ in such things as cost, longevity, and performance. Knowing the pros and cons of each will guide you in the right direction to choose what best suits your home and budget.
What is Roof Replacement?
A roof replacement is where a complete removal of the roofing materials from an old roofing system is carried out – including old shingles, underlayment, and sometimes decking- and a new roofing system is installed ground up. This process lets roofers discover and fix underlying issues such as water damage, rot, or mold before adding new materials. Since everything is replaced, the roofing system delivers durable and long-lasting results.
The Benefits of Roof Replacement
- Lasts: A new roofing system lasts anywhere between 20 years and 50 years, depending on the type of material used.
- Structural integrity: Old, damaged layers are stripped off, which prevents hidden leaks from going unnoticed in the future.
- Warranty efficacy: Full replacement is usually the only type that is covered by complete warranties from manufacturers.
- Increased resale value: Most buyers prefer homes with newly-installed roofs, particularly in Florida’s competitive market.
Disadvantages
- Upfront costs: Full replacement costs extra because of the labor and disposal involved.
- Longer installation time: The time consumed for tearing down the roof adds to the project timeline.
What Is Roof Overlay (Re-Roof)?
What a roof overlay entails is the installation of new shingles or tiles directly over the old roofing material without tearing it off. It is faster, requires fewer man-hours, and is less expensive in terms of upfront cost because there is no tear-off involved.
However, the condition of the existing roof must also be in excellent structural condition without rot, moisture, or having too many layers existing before overlaying.
This post was written by a professional at Coastal Brothers Roofing. Coastal Brothers Roofing is a family-owned Tampa roof installation company offering expert re-roofing and repair services. Whether you need a shingle roof replacement in Lutz, FL, or maintenance, we install premium shingles, tile, metal, and low-slope systems, including products from Tamko and Owens Corning. Our team also provides gutter, soffit, fascia, and emergency tarping. Trusted as one of the best residential roofing companies near you, we deliver durable, high-quality roofing systems built for Florida’s climate.
