Laying New Roof Over Old Roof

If conditions are right new shingles laid over old shingles can be just as attractive and durable as shingles laid on bare sheathing.

Laying new roof over old roof.

Installing a new roof over shingles takes less time than tearing off the old roof. If your existing roof is fairly old there s a good chance the shingles are damaged. The old roof is not so much being replaced as it is being covered over with a new roof. Now that we ve taken care of the primary question at hand we ll consider a couple of reasons why you might want to do this.

Find a pre screened local roofing contractor. A layer of old deteriorating shingles can make your new roof look bad. But you must take care to install shingles correctly so they lie flat. The answer is yes you can lay new roof shingles over old ones.

Use 1 5 or 1 75 inch roofing nails. Overlaying a new roof is exactly what it sounds like. All shingle manufacturers honor the warranty whether their products are used for a reroof or a new roof. Installation is easier than for a tear off job because you can use the existing shingles as guides for laying the new ones.

Now that we ve taken care of the primary question at hand we ll consider a couple of reasons why you might want to do this. If the job is done correctly with the new layer of shingles laid flat over the existing shingles the old roof cushions the new one and serves as a secondary barrier should wind or water ever break through the new shingles. Has the same manufacturer s warranty. As long as it s done right and under the right conditions installing new shingles over old ones can last as long and look just as good as a complete re roof.

Looks just as good and lasts as long. Butt these against the bottom of the old roof s third row and nail into place. You are literally laying down the new roof over the old one. Your second row of shingles should be cut to 10 inches wide.

This may not seem like the obvious way to replace a roof but many homeowners choose this method for some significant advantages.