Do you own an asphalt shingle roof? Are you considering a metal roof replacement? Have you wondered whether a metal roof can be installed over shingles to save time and money? If you could pursue that option, should you attach a new metal roof to existing asphalt shingles? At S&S Roofing, we are experienced roofing professionals and strongly advise against installing a metal roof over shingles.
Can You Install A Metal Roof Over Shingles?
Yes, most homeowners can attach a new metal roof to existing shingles. However, this is not advisable. Many reasons exist for removing the asphalt shingles before installing a new metal roof. The likelihood of a poor result exceeds the potential benefit of adding metal roofing to shingles.
4 Drawbacks Of Attaching A New Metal Roof To Existing Shingles
Although you might wholeheartedly believe that adding a new metal roof over your current asphalt shingle roofing system makes sense, you substantially increase the risk of adverse consequences:
1. Reduce Curb Appeal
You take pride in your home’s exterior appearance, including a sleek, attractive roof that compliments your siding, windows, and doors. Most homeowners want to preserve their home’s aesthetic qualities to ensure optimal curb appeal and maximize marketability. Unfortunately, you jeopardize your home’s attractiveness when you take steps to save money by cutting corners. It is difficult to hide the sublayer of asphalt shingles. Don’t trust roofing contractors who might tell you otherwise.
2. No Ability To Assess “Hidden” Damage To The Existing Roof & Sublayers
One advantage of removing an existing roof is extracting problem areas associated with it. For instance, if your current asphalt shingle roofing system has many loose or damaged shingles, removing them during a roof replacement resolves these issues. Also, if sublayers, such as the decking and underlayment, need addressing, demoing the roof allows the contractor to assess the condition of these hidden components before installing the new roof. However, this evaluation process cannot happen if you pursue a reroof.
3. Could Result In Local Building Code Violations
A building code protects you (as the homeowner) from unsafe, dangerous, or catastrophic events. Such regulatory requirements establish a minimum standard for a construction project to ensure the result is structurally sound and safe for you and your other occupants. Many municipalities limit or outright prohibit reroofing. Others provide stringent rules regarding the roof replacement process. Rarely, if ever, does completely removing the existing roofing materials and replacing them with a new roof cause a code violation.
4. Create Substantially More Weight & Structural Stress On The Home
A 10-ft x 10-ft section of asphalt shingle roofing weighs between 300 and 350 lbs. A metal shingle or panel could add 50-100% more weight to each roof section. A home’s underlying framework, including beams, columns, and studs, is not designed to handle this additional load. Consequently, you substantially increase the risk of compromised structural elements and roof sag or collapse. These potential issues are entirely avoidable by simply removing the existing shingles as an initial step before attaching the new metal roof.
How To Pursue A Metal Roof Replacement
Follow these steps to ensure timely and cost-effective fulfillment of your metal roofing project:
Discuss Project Details, Including Goals & Preferences
What results do you wish to achieve? Roofing projects fail to meet the homeowner’s objective because of unclear communication between the homeowner and the professional roofer. A new metal roof is a significant investment. Don’t risk a less-than-satisfactory outcome. Discuss your goals, including the type of metal roof you desire, the preferred timeline, and budgetary requirements. Remove confusion and misunderstandings from the equation.
Understand That Most Contractors Are Not Metal Roofing Experts
Although residential metal roofing systems are becoming increasingly common, most roofing companies do not have significant metal roofing installation experience. Designing and constructing a metal roof requires a highly specialized skillset and different tools than traditional asphalt shingles. For these reasons, you should avoid hiring a contractor with minimal knowledge of metal roofing. Stick with a qualified and experienced metal roofer.
Verify The Contractor’s Credentials, Qualifications, & Licensing
Do your homework. Is the prospective roofing company a member of professional organizations like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) or Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)? Confirm that the professional has ample meaningful experience installing metal roofing systems and review their portfolio. Evaluate online reviews and contact references (e.g., satisfied customers). Verify that the roofer possesses a contractor’s license.
Choosing A Metal Roofing Contractor
More homeowners in the Pacific Northwest trust S&S Roofing for their residential roofing needs, including metal roof replacements. We do not install metal roofs over existing asphalt shingles. Instead, we follow best practices, entirely remove your current roof, and assess the condition of all sublayers before installing your new metal roof.
Contact S&S Roofing today to learn more about our unparalleled roofing services or to schedule an appointment and receive a free roof estimate.