Inevitably, every house’s roof will need to be replaced, begging the question, replace it with what?   There are more roofing changes available than ever.   However, much of the decision process can be narrowed down by what roofing material is already on the roof.

Sometimes, there is an advantage to staying with the same type of roofing material that is currently on the roof.

This is mainly because of the type of sheathing required for various types of roofs.   Composition shingles require a flat, solid decking surface, while cedar roofs should have skip sheathing (strips of sheathing with gaps between for adequate ventilation) and yet tile roofs can require a unique mix of flat surface with battens extending out.  Additionally, some types of tile are very heavy and require extra roof reinforcement to ensure the structure meets code.  The cost of converting the decking can often reduce the cost of switching to a less expensive material.

Generally speaking, homeowners most commonly convert towards composition shingles if they decide not to proceed with either another cedar or tile roof.

Not only is it the most affordable roofing material, it also requires the least effort in converting the sheathing.   For example, a roof being converted from cedar to composition only requires plywood being installed on top of the existing skip sheathing wear as if a similar roof was to be converted from composition to cedar, the solid sheathing would need to be torn off before installation of the skip sheathing installed.

All this being said, we believe it is critical to consider the original style of the home when making the decision of what type of roof replacement to pursue.   Some homes were designed with a certain roof type in mind and a change away from this, while possibly offering some modest short-term savings, might impact the overall look of the home and affect its future salability.

If you would like help in reviewing your roof replacement options, one of All Surface’s skilled estimators would be happy to consult with you.

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