Are you thinking of replacing your roof? A roof replacement project can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on how big your home is. That's why careful planning is imperative before the commencement of the project. You may want to consider how much you are willing to spend on the roof replacement, the type of roof material you want and the colour of the roof. However, one of the key choices you will be faced with is whether to tear off the existing roof first or roof over it (overlay). Each of these two options is beneficial in its own way and has some concerns too. However, here is what you need to know about roof overlays. 

How Many Layers of Roofing Do You Have?

If this is your second roof replacement project, you need to think carefully before considering overlaying. That's because one of the major concerns about roof overlays is that they add weight to your home. The extra weight can be a threat to the structural integrity of not only your home but also the roof itself. The weight of the roof may be too much for your roof deck or truss to handle, which can result in the roof collapsing and causing significant damages as well as injuries.

Therefore, if you have already added a layer of roof on your old roof before, another roof overlay may not be the best of options. In fact, many building codes and regulations won't allow you to add an extra layer of roofing material on your roof if you have already done it before. Therefore, to avoid the extra costs of having to get rid of the roof because you have violated the building codes, take your time to think about how many layers of roofing material you will end up with.

What Are the Advantages?

A roof overlay is an ideal option to consider if you are planning your first roof replacement project. You don't have to get rid of your old roof before you install your new one. This method of roof replacement comes with multiple benefits. First, it's cost effective -- you get to save a significant amount of money on labour costs because less work is involved. Therefore, if you are on a budget but want a new roof, a roof overlay will pay off. A roof overlay will also take less time compared to tearing off and installing a new roof. This will be an advantage if you are working within certain time constraints.