Re-Roofing and Replacement: What’s the Difference?

When deciding to have your roof serviced due to severe damage, you might find yourself choosing between re-roofing and roof replacement when roof repairs are no longer viable. At first glance, they may look and sound like the same thing, but they are actually two different roofing jobs. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at these two options.

What is Re-Roofing?

Re-roofing is the process of putting a new layer of roofing material over an existing one. Your roofer might suggest this if your roof is in a generally good condition. This may be possible if your roof is only a few years old, but has acute damage, such as due to a storm or a similar or related incident. Re-roofing can only be done once and if the existing roof layer is free of major water damage. 

What is Roof Replacement?

Roof replacement refers to the replacement of the entire roof assembly, including the roof deck and all other components. When you hire the best among your search for “roofers near me” for roof replacement, you can also choose to have them install a totally different roof material from your existing one. 

Which Is the Better Choice?

Total roof replacement often requires a bigger initial investment than re-roofing. However, the latter may only be done when the existing roof is absolutely free of major concerns. When you re-roof over a roof with moderate to severe damage, it will be as if  your putting a band-aid on a wound–the wound will not completely heal and may even get worse. 

The best way to determine which is the better choice for your roof is to have your trusted roofer perform a thorough roof inspection. Should they find that the existing roof is harboring moderate to severe issues, then you’re better off choosing roof replacement.

As one of the most trusted roofing and siding contractors in the area, Ken Morton & Sons can help you from roof inspection to replacement and everything in between. Call us today at (856) 582-8800 or submit our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We serve Sewell, NJ and the surrounding areas.