Whether it’s roof repairs, a full roof replacement, or even solar panel installation, the first thing on many homeowner’s minds is cost. And it’s easy to see why, as these types of renovations can be expensive. This leaves many considering partial roof replacements as a way to cut costs.
But is a partial roof replacement a good idea? In this article, we will discuss partial roof replacements, and four things you need to know about them. This will help you to make an educated decision when it comes to your roof, so you can do what’s best for your roof, your home, and your wallet.
Table of Contents
– Is a Partial Replacement Right for Me?
– 4 Things to Know About Partial Roof Replacements
– Lifespan
– Cost
– Warranty Protection
– Aesthetic Appeal
– Partial vs. Full Roof Replacement
Is a Partial Replacement Right for Me?
If you’re here, you may be asking yourself, “is a partial roof replacement right for me?” Well, the answer to this will vary from person to person, because replacing half of your roof is totally possible. We’re just here to help you decide if that’s a good idea or not.
We also understand that money plays a major role in this decision, which is why the idea of a partial roof replacement is so alluring. However, we cannot in good conscience recommend this. Further, if a roofer is willing to do this for you, they are probably not the most trustworthy.
A reputable roofing contractor will always recommend a full roof replacement. For example, let’s say your roof has sustained storm damage, and your insurance company wants to only pay for half of a roof. A good contractor will fight for you to have your claim supplemented so you can get a full roof replacement.
This is not to say that if there is a small area of your roof that is leaking, you need a full roof replacement. Shingles can be replaced in a small area that is leaking. However, if you’re wanting to replace only one large section of your roof, this could end up costing you more down the road than getting a full roof replacement in the first place.
4 Things to Know About Partial Roof Replacements
As you can see, a partial roof replacement is something we do not recommend. And this is with the best intentions, as there are a few good reasons as to why we recommend a full roof replacement over a partial one. Keep reading for the four things you need to know about partial roof replacements, to help you with the decision-making process.
Lifespan
When it comes to a partial roof replacement, the first thing we’d like to discuss is the lifespan of your roof. When we talk about your roof’s lifespan, we mean the amount of years that you get out of your roof. With that being said, when you opt for a partial roof replacement, your roof will essentially have two different lifespans, and your shingles will age at different rates.
But what does this mean? This means that the older side of your roof will start to leak and fail sooner than the new side. When you get the old side replaced, this cycle will continue until you finally get a full roof replacement. You will essentially be dealing with roof work twice as much as the homeowner who opted for the full roof replacement, costing you peace of mind.
Cost
Speaking of cost, when you choose a partial roof replacement, it’s going to end up costing you more money down the road. You will have to pay for roof repairs more frequently than you would with a full roof replacement, since the two sides of your roof have different lifespans. But let’s break this down.
Every time you have to replace half of your roof, you will have to pay for the labor, time, materials, contractor fees, and more. And this will vary depending on the size of your roof, but either way, you will end up paying more long term per square foot than you would for a full replacement.
At Elite Exteriors, this is something we want every homeowner to know. You may think only paying for half of your roof to be replaced will save you money, but it will surely cost you more. This is something to really consider when budgeting for your roofing needs.
Warranty Protection
When you get a full roof replacement, you will have a workmanship warranty and a materials warranty to fall back on should something go wrong. This is set in place to protect the homeowner against manufacturing defects, as well as poor craftsmanship on the roofer’s part. When it comes to partial roof replacements, however, you won’t get the same warranty protection.
Let’s start with the warranty on materials. For example, your shingles will automatically come with a warranty. When you opt for the partial replacement, however, you won’t be eligible to upgrade this warranty to the 50-year non-prorated warranty that most shingle manufacturers offer.
And let’s just say that you already have the enhanced warranty on your roof prior to the partial replacement. Once you replace half of the roof, that enhanced warranty will be voided. This is just one reason why a reputable contractor will not recommend, or install, a partial roof replacement.
If you happen to find a contractor who will replace half of your roof, you can almost guarantee that they won’t offer a good workmanship warranty. This is because they don’t stand behind their work. They don’t want to offer an amazing workmanship warranty on a roof they know will have problems down the road.
Aesthetic Appeal
Last, but certainly not least, let’s discuss aesthetics. When you invest your hard earned money on a roof, you want it to stand out, add some curb appeal, and even increase your home’s value. This is hard to accomplish with a partial roof replacement.
Even if you get the same exact shingles, you will be able to tell the difference between the old section of your roof and the new one. The older shingles will be lighter in color, faded from the sun, while the new shingles will be darker. So yes, your roof will stand out, but not in a good way.
This might not be a big deal to everyone, but either way, it’s noticeable. Not only will you and your neighbors be able to tell the difference, so will any potential buyer if and when you decide to sell your home down the line. A full roof replacement has the ability to increase your home’s value, while a partial roof replacement may do just the opposite.
Partial vs. Full Roof Replacement
So, should I get a full roof replacement or a partial roof replacement? As always, every homeowner has the right to choose and make their own decision when it comes to this. However, we strongly recommend choosing the full replacement over the partial replacement. A reputable, experienced, and vetted roofing contractor will never recommend or install a partial roof replacement.
We also understand that for many, money is on the forefront, and has a big stake in this decision. With that being said, we’d like to remind homeowners that there are ways to get a gorgeous, and quality, roof without having to break the bank. Roofing materials come in all shapes and sizes, which means there’s a roof for a variety of styles and budgets.
Wondering how much a full roof replacement will cost? Elite Exteriors has created a Roof Cost Calculator that can give you a general estimate when it comes to the cost of your new roof. Keep in mind that this will just give you an idea as to the total cost, and not an exact price.
This is because every roof is different, and there are a lot of unique factors to consider when calculating costs. The only way to get an exact price is by having a contractor come out for a roof inspection. A reputable roofing contractor will be able to advise you on everything your roof needs, as well as the different options available to you.
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Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship, and incomparable quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! Not only are we fully bonded, licensed, and insured, but we can provide any references you may need, and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 470-350-3024 for a NO-COST initial consultation and inspection, or fill out our online form for more information!