Has a winter storm blown a tree onto your house, taking out part of the roof? Or perhaps the original roofing contractor didn’t follow the best practices when installing the original roof. Whatever the reason, you may be considering a partial roof replacement. It may seem like a good idea and a great way to save money.
But that’s not always the case. There may be times when a partial roof replacement makes sense. If there’s a part of the roof that is completely separated from the rest of the roofline, continuity may not be as important. Maybe it makes sense to perform spot repairs in areas of the roof affected by high winds.
Or maybe you want to add a point of interest to your home. You might be making a point to have different roofing in certain areas. For example, using metal roofing on a wrap-around porch to contrast existing composite or asphalt shingles. This is a great way to give your home an immediate facelift.
When to avoid partial roof replacements
If large sections of roofing materials have been destroyed, it probably makes more sense to go with a full roof replacement. Replacing a layer of shingles in several areas can cost more than completely replacing all of the shingles at once.
While you may be paying less in overall material costs, it’s more difficult and time-consuming to incorporate large areas of new shingles. Not only do you have to install the new shingles, but you also need to be mindful of the existing shingles as well. In the long run, you’ll need to replace those old shingles, too. Then you’re left with the same questions.
You may need to replace sections of underlayment (also known as felt paper) too. If the damage breached the roof deck, you may need to take up shingles that were untouched anyway. Depending on the type of roofing or the amount of damage, a partial replacement may not even be possible.
Uneven appearance
Depending on the age of the shingles, it should be relatively easy to find replacements. But when working with less expensive shingles or cedar shakes, there’s bound to be some fading over time. Trying to incorporate new roofing shingles may give your roof a splotchy appearance.
Speaking of unevenness, if you try to replace half a roof, incorporating new material with the existing roofing, there may be a visible “seam” where the two come together. Depending on the wear and tear of the existing shingles, this can make for an odd look on your home.
Get a full inspection
When considering a partial roof replacement, make sure to have the entire roof system checked. Depending on how the damage happened, there may be issues with other parts of the roof that aren’t as easy to see. Water can travel along the decking, the trusses, and the joints while staying relatively undetected.
With wind damage ruining the top of your roof and potential water damage underneath, it just makes sense to know exactly what you’re dealing with. By taking care of all roof repairs now, you can avoid costly repairs in the future. A full roof replacement can take care of those issues in one job.
There’s also the insurance aspect to think about. It’s a good idea to research your coverage or get in contact with your insurance company before you need a partial or full roof replacement. Even if there’s damage to only part of the roof, they may pay for a full replacement if the damage is severe enough.
Work with experienced roofing professionals
Warner Roofing and Construction has been performing new construction roof installations, tear-offs, replacements, and re-roofing of damaged roofs for nearly three decades. We can also investigate what’s going on under the roof to see if there are any issues with the trusses holding everything up.
Have questions about your roof, need partial roof repair, looking for an upgrade as part of a whole-home remodel, or are even interested in skylights or solar tubes? We’re the Vancouver roofing contractor you’re looking for. Let us know what you’re thinking about doing and we’ll see how we can help.
