What’s the Difference Between Long Island Roof Replacement and Roof Overlay?
The difference between a roof replacement and overlay is that a replacement is a complete tear-off with new shingles, while an overlay lays new shingles over the old ones. On Long Island, where wind resistance is essential, a complete roof replacement is the best choice. Roof overlays create several potential complications that you should aim to avoid.
The Downsides of a Roof Overlay
A roof overlay is often positioned as an affordable alternative to a tear-off replacement, but there are hidden downsides that can make the job costlier in the long run.
- A roof overlay leaves old shingles intact, and there’s no way to fully inspect or repair the roof deck.
- Any structural or moisture problems on the roof deck will remain, which could compromise the safety and resilience of your roof.
- An overlay isn’t as structurally sound as a tear-off roof replacement. Long Island is subjected to strong winds, high heat, and an intense freeze-thaw cycle. Overlaid shingles are inherently weaker and more prone to damage.
- Spending money on an overlay today could save you in the short term, but any unseen structural problems could worsen, forcing you to spend more on a tear-off, repairs, and eventual replacement.
- A roof replacement is more expensive if there are two layers of shingles to remove.
A roof overlay only covers up damage and exposes you to higher costs later.
Unique Factors on Long Island That Make Overlays Dangerous
Most experienced Long Island roofing contractors recommend a tear-off roof replacement because it eliminates any uncertainty about the future of your roof. Long Island’s unique climate is the driving factor.
- Humidity and Salt Air: The extra layer of an overlay isn’t a perfect lamination, and moisture can easily get below the new shingles, rotting the roof deck.
- Wind Loads: Long Island homes suffer high wind speeds from Atlantic storms and Nor’easters. Shingles on an overlay don’t lie perfectly flat, so there’s a slight lip for wind to catch and tear them off. This increases the risk of a catastrophic roof failure during a storm.
- Heat Retention: An additional layer of shingles acts as an insulator, which traps heat in the summer. This can “bake” shingles from underneath, shortening their lifespan.
- Ice Damming: The thickness of an overlay makes it harder for heat to escape, which can cause ice dams during cold Suffolk and Nassau winters.
The Effect of a Roof Overlay on Shingle Warranties
Some shingle manufacturers will honor warranties for manufacturing defects only on a roof overlay. This means that workmanship, labor, and other items in a standard roofing warranty aren’t included. You carry most of the risk when you choose an overlay instead of a tear-off new roof on Long Island.
Avoid the Costs and Hassle – Get a New Roof the Right Way
A full new roofing installation with the removal of old shingles is the safest and most dependable way to upgrade the roof on your Long Island home.
The cost of a new roof could be more affordable than you expect, and financing is available to help spread the payments and ensure your home gets premium protection. Talk to local experts at Renew Roofing Solutions for a complete roof inspection and roof replacement estimate. Call Long Island’s best roofers at 516-212-0307 or 914-415-7702 today.