Roof replacement is a big investment and you will need to take some time to assess the condition of your roof and how this will affect your return on investment when considering whether to go ahead with it. You will be able to increase your resale value considerably with a new roof especially if you are facing a lot of issues with the roof that you have now. And it is always best to carry out the process quickly once you have decided that roof replacement is required. But there is another option to consider which is re-roofing.
Re-roofing is more cost-effective when compared to roof replacement and you will be able to make a difference in the appearance of your roof. There are contractors for re-roofing Melbourne that you can select for this. Make sure that they comply with the local building codes when carrying out their work.
When it comes to re-roofing, the worn shingles of your roof will be kept as it is and a new layer of shingles will be done over it. This acts as a protective layer and will minimize the risk of leaks. If you have only one layer of shingles on the roof, you can consider re-roofing. Generally, you will not be allowed to install a third layer of shingles if you already have 2 layers as per building codes. In this situation, you will need to think about a roof replacement.
The benefit of re-roofing is that you will not need a lot of labor and materials for the job and it will be completed in a shorter amount of time. It will be better on your wallet as well because the cost is significantly lower than a replacement. But this option is only available to those that only have one layer of shingles and re-roofing will not last as long as a roof replacement would.
You will not be able to carry out re-roofing for metal roofs. If your roof currently has issues such as rotting and sagging, putting on a new layer of shingles will not be a solution to that problem. It is best to have the roofing contractor carry out an inspection so that they can recommend which option is best for the roof.
In a roof replacement, the old shingles will be removed completely. An underlayment is applied to the roof deck for protection from the elements and the new roof shingles will go on top of this. With a new roof, you will be looking at about 20 years of lifetime. But you will need to consider the condition of the deck once the shingles are stripped. If there is considerable damage, the roofing contractor will recommend repairs. You will be able to attend to all issues of the roof with a roof replacement and this may be a safer option if there is a high risk of the roof giving out due to rot.
While re-roofing costs less, you may be able to save more money in the long run as you will essentially have a new roof that will give you fewer problems over time. But there is a long duration for the repair which will require staying at a different location and more labor and materials will be required which will drive up the cost.
