Metal roofing brings a level of durability and endurance over time that asphalt shingles simply can’t match. It may seem daunting to decide on a metal roof in Franklin if you already have an asphalt shingle roof. Do you take off the layer of shingles before putting on the metal roof? Or just leave them there and put metal on top?
This is a good question, and each answer has its benefits. Let’s take a look at what goes into this decision. In a nutshell, laying metal roofing over existing shingles can save money and effort, and cuts the time of installation in half.
Installing Metal Roofing Over Existing Shingles
Metal roofing has many advantages over traditional asphalt shingles. The main benefit is that it lasts a lot longer than asphalt – 50 to 75 years or more with proper upkeep. This robust material can resist the harsh weather of Massachusetts, and that includes wind gusts of up to 140 MPH. Not only are metal roofs durable, they won’t break like asphalt shingles.
Because they have a smooth surface, metal roofs don’t attract debris such as branches and leaves. While asphalt reflects the sun’s rays and heats the roof up, metal roofs deflect those rays, reducing your cooling expenses.
Metal roofs, a green alternative, contain up to 95 percent recycled content. They’re also completely recyclable at the end of their life, while asphalt shingles clog the landfills.
In short, there are numerous benefits to installing a metal roof over a shingle roof:
- The time and labor of removing the old roof is avoided, which adds a difficulty to the project.
- Removing an old roof costs more because a dumpster rental is required.
- Keeping the asphalt shingles there adds an extra layer of insulation to your roof.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Saves money on existing roof removal.
- No need to waste time and effort ripping off existing shingles. Those old shingles can total hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.
- The asphalt shingle layer adds more insulation, which in turn lowers energy expenses.
Cons
- The roof could appear uneven due to inconsistencies in the old asphalt shingles.
- Roofers can inspect the roof’s condition and determine areas of concern when they remove the old asphalt shingles.
- More weight is added to the roof when placing a metal roof on top of shingles.
In the end, is it advised to add metal roofing over asphalt? Most times, there’s no problem and it all depends on the homeowner and the roofer. There could be some exceptions, though, so check local building rules to find out if it’s legal in your area. Some cities or towns won’t allow a property to feature more than two layers of asphalt shingles. If your home has already been re-roofed in the past, you will need to remove the old layers before adding a metal roof.
Contact Revered Metal Roofing
To schedule an inspection and free quote, contact us today at 781-536-4589. Our Halifax roofers will be able to tell you if placing a metal roof over asphalt shingles is doable.
I would highly recommend Revered Metal Roofing to anyone with a metal roof that needs repair or replacement. Bob was very professional and charged me a fair price to replace the roof of my collision repair shop, Precision Collision Inc. He did so in a timely manner and left his work area completely clean when he finished the job.