Roof Repair or Replacement? How to Make the Right Choice

When it comes to roofing, understanding the difference between repair and replacement is critical to making the right decision for your home. At Birdcreek Roofing, we help homeowners weigh their options by clearly explaining when a repair is sufficient and when a full replacement makes more sense. In this blog, we’ll cover the key considerations to review before repairing or replacing your roof—and show you where to find one of the most trusted roofing companies near Belton.

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Every year, the quality of roofing materials gets better. One area where roofs are still developing is energy efficiency. There are more options now than ever before. Energy savings may partially offset the cost of installing an energy-efficient roof. These savings can add up rapidly depending on the age or style of the roof you already have.

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Another approach to save time and money is to re-roof. In essence, a fresh layer is applied immediately over the existing shingles. Because the existing roof does not need to be removed, the process is quicker and less expensive. Additionally, it offers a fresh layer of defense and appears new from the street. There may be substantial disadvantages, though:

• Ordinarily, placing the third layer of shingles when there are already two is prohibited by building rules. The additional weight of a fresh layer of shingles is primarily to blame for this.
• Asphalt shingles typically weigh between 275 and 350 lbs. That would be equivalent to placing two SUVs roof-high atop a 2,500-square-foot structure.
• Without doing so, it is impossible to see if the old shingles have any deterioration.
• Because new shingles frequently don't last as long as a roof replacement, re-roofing may void or decrease the guarantee on those specific shingles.
• Even if the savings could convince you that this is the best course of action, make sure you budget for these unforeseen charges.

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Before selecting which course of action is best for you, it may be helpful to understand the cost variations between replacing and repairing a roof when contacting a professional roofer. The price of repairs is typically lower, but not always. The price of repairs per square foot can rise. Large-scale material reductions are not offered, and substitute labor can be just as expensive.

The cost may also vary depending on the amount of the repair. Will you merely replace a few shingles or fix a tiny area? Or do you need to address any underlying problems you might find?

Do you, for instance, live in an area with strong winds? Do you currently have windproof shingles? In the long term, continuing to fix small issues may end up being more expensive than just replacing the roof with one using the correct materials.

The least expensive option for repair is to replace any missing shingles or patch up any damaged areas with fresh shingles. However, as we already indicated, it may not be easy to match the new and old shingles. That choice might not be the best for you if aesthetics are important to you and the area of the roof is visible.

A more cost-effective option would be the partial replacement, which calls for replacing the complete roof instead of only a piece of it. If only one side of the roof is damaged, this is an option. The entire side is stripped of its previous shingles, and new ones are added along with a moisture barrier.

This method addresses the problem of changing matching shingles, although it still has significant drawbacks. Where the new shingles join the old roof at the ridges, they might not perfectly line up, especially if there were already two-thick shingles on the roof.

The cost of removing the existing roof's two layers of shingles, the maximum allowed, might deplete your savings. Your home's remaining portions still have an old roof, another issue with partial replacement.

Full replacement often appears to be the most expensive option, but it costs less per square foot than repair or partial replacement. It also enables a comprehensive examination of the roof's construction. Before installing the new roof, any underlying damage can be found and repaired.

A complete replacement restarts the lifespan of your roof while allowing you to continue using the current products and services or upgrade to a higher-quality roof alternative. Further reducing the likelihood that the repair will save you money is the possibility that, if the damage is covered by insurance, all you may be liable for is your deductible.