Most homeowners will eventually come to a crossroads: replacing the roof or repairing it through reroofing. It can be tempting to search for the most cost-efficient way of fixing the problem, but that may not always be the right option for your home or even the cheapest way of protecting your roof in the long term. If you’re weighing your options for roof repair, here’s what you should keep in mind.

Roof Repair Guide: Replace or Reshingle?

What Is Reroofing?

Reroofing is the act of laying new shingles over existing shingles. It’s quicker than replacing a roof, and because it requires less work, it's also considerably cheaper.

When Should You Reroof? 

You can only reroof once—in many states, it's against the law to lay more than two layers of shingle—so if you’ve already reroofed, this isn’t an option for you. You can also only do this if you have asphalt shingles—you can’t do this if your shingles are made from other materials such as slate or lead, and it's worth keeping in mind that you can't mix materials either. But if your roof ticks all the boxes to go ahead, this could be an extremely viable option for you.

What Is Roof Replacement?

Roof replacement is when you remove the whole roof down to the deck and replace it with new felt and shingles. This is more labor-intensive (and therefore more costly) but isn't dependent on materials or how many layers you currently have.

When Should You Replace Your Roof?

A roof replacement is for you if your roof already has two layers of shingles and your state doesn’t allow you to add any more. Roof replacement is also the sensible option if you're planning on staying in your property for a long time. For example, if you're due some roof repair work and plan on enjoying many more years in your home, it makes more financial sense to make the investment now rather than opting for a reroof and then paying for roof replacement years later.

The team at First Class Roofing in Archdale, NC, have over 30 years of experience in the roofing industry. Serving the people of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and surrounding areas, they provide a wide range of services including roof repair and roof inspection. If you need expert help with your roof maintenance, contact them today. Visit their website to learn about repair services or call (336) 880-8720 to schedule an estimate.