A new roof is always a good idea. This is a part of your house that has to be maintained and renovated as soon as the need occurs. The type of roof is totally your decision, but just to mention, metal roofs have a lot of advantages.
When it comes to installing a new roof, a lot of people ask if they can put a metal roof over shingles. Yes, you totally can if your local building department doesn’t mind. We’ll cover the topic in more detail to give you as much information as possible.
Installing a Metal Roof Over Shingles
Before deciding on the roof material and installation, it’s very important to check in with the building department in your city. Most states don’t have issues with re-roofing over one layer of shingles. But if you have two or more, the officials might make you remove the extra layers and only leave one. You can find the contact information online by searching for roofing in Cincinnati, or go there directly for a consultation.
It’s not only about the law but also your safety, so finding out as much as you can about re-roofing is a very good idea.
The International Building Code states that if the new metal or other roof structure relies on the building for support and not the previous coverings, you can install it on the top. Otherwise, the existing cover should be removed.
Usually, you won’t require removing anything, which is great news! Besides, metal roofs are quite lightweight, which makes it an even better option if you have shingles and want to install a new roof on top of them.
There are more advantages and some disadvantages of metal roofs, however.
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs
Here, we’ll review the general perks of using metal constructions for re-roofing, as well as why they are better if you need to install a new roof over shingles.
General pros:
- Such constructions are very durable, outrunning shingles by years. They can last up to 70 years, given you maintain your roof properly and choose high-quality metal.
- Damage resistance.
Metal constructions are weather-resistant. Rain can’t penetrate them; snow can be easily melted and taken off. Winds up to 140 mph aren’t a problem either, as well as lightning and fire. - Variety of options.
You can choose from a wide variety of materials, colors, and finishes. The range is from natural stone to wood, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating the roof design with the rest of the house. - Energy-saving.
Metal roofs reflect heat very well, reducing costs on air conditioning in summer by 10% to 25%.
Advantages of metal roofs on top of shingles:
- Installing a metal roof over shingles will save you time, effort, and money on labor. Besides, you leave less waste after renovating.
- A metal roof provides you with an additional cover for the house, keeping it warm or cool when needed, and reducing costs on extra insulation.
Of course, there are some cons, as there are no perfect things:
- Metal roofs are quite expensive. They provide amazing qualities and can make your house better looking and more secure, but a lot of homeowners can’t afford such material.
- Rain, falling leaves, etc. will resonate through the metal roof much more than through shingles. You can sound-proof it, but the spendings will rise even more.
Overall, metal roofs are a double-win: you don’t have to remove shingles if there’s one layer, and you get extra protection. Make sure to contact local authorities before making any decisions.