Guide: Replacing vs. Restoring Your Roof

December 7, 2024
Title card with the title "Guide: Replacing vs. Restoring Your Roof" and Roof Maxx logo on a green transparent background over an image of a roof with the shingles being pulled off.

Summary

  • Roof restoration is a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to full roof replacement. Roof Maxx treatments restore flexibility to aging asphalt shingles, allowing them to handle temperature changes and extreme weather properly again.
  • Regular roof maintenance—like cleaning gutters, removing debris, and trimming tree branches—can prolong the life of your roof. They may also help you buy more time before you need a total replacement.
  • The cost of roof replacement varies widely but averages between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on location and the cost of materials. Asphalt shingles are typically more affordable, while metal and slate options are pricier but can last over 50 years.
  • Some homeowner insurance policies may cover roof replacement, but only for damage caused by specific events, like severe storms. Monitoring your roof’s condition and scheduling regular inspections can help catch issues early.

A strong roof overhead is one of our most basic needs. You want to keep all the people and things under your roof safe and secure. So when your roofing starts to show signs of wear and tear, it can be discouraging. You’ll have to consider the options: roof restoration or roof replacement.

Roof replacement means that you will need to hire a professional roofing company to come to your house and tear up the current roof and its materials and replace those with new shingles or panels. A roof restoration means that a specialized product will be applied to your roof to extend the life and effectiveness of the roof significantly. In essence, a full roof replacement is a very expensive and invasive process, while roof restoration is quicker, easier, and far more affordable.

Obviously, you will want the least expensive and invasive procedure for your home. That being said, is roof restoration really the best option for your roof?

Should I replace or try to restore my roof?

A worker on the roof of a residence is spraying it with a rejuvenation treatment.
A worker on the roof of a residence is spraying it with a rejuvenation treatment.

We have good news for you: Yes, many roofs can be restored instead of replaced. All you need is a professional with the right experience to apply the right product to you roof. This will significantly increase the lifespan of your roof and save you an enormous amount of money.

Roof Maxx is one such product that will work wonders in restoring your roof and extending its lifespan more than any other roof restoration product on the market. This all-natural treatment can be applied to worn-out asphalt shingles to restore their oils and original flexibility.

Asphalt shingles contain oils that enable them to expand and contract with changes in the weather and seasons. As they age, your shingles dry out and become brittle and unable to function as they should.

Roof Maxx reverses the aging process by restoring the natural oils to your shingles. These newly flexible shingles will be well-equipped to handle changes in temperature and extreme weather patterns.

If timed right, you can avoid an expensive roof replacement by opting for roof restoration. Asphalt roofs tend to last 20 to 30 years, but they can break down sooner, depending on your location. Even older roofs over 20 years old can potentially benefit from roof restoration and last longer.

How to Get More Out of Your Roof

An arborist in a safety helmet and saddle trimming branches of a tree.
An arborist in a safety helmet and saddle trimming branches of a tree.

As a homeowner looking to save money and prolong the life of your roof, it’s essential to keep up on roof maintenance like cleaning gutters, removing debris, and learning how to fix roof leaks. But even with regular maintenance, every roof wears out at some point. 

There are other key maintenance measures you can take to get more from your roof. For example, trimming tree limbs away from your home can make a big difference. One of the most common causes of roof damage is falling debris, particularly falling tree limbs.

Tree limbs can also hold moisture on your roof, which can accelerate deterioration. Branches and leaves just above or even touching your roof can hold water on your shingles longer and lead to damage. Water damage like this is a surefire way to reduce a roof’s lifespan.

If you keep up with roof maintenance and preventive measures, you can keep that expensive roof replacement at bay. Monitoring the condition of your roof can also keep the option of a less expensive roof restoration open to you.

Fortunately, Roof Maxx roof restoration services can save you thousands of dollars and prolong the life of your shingles by at least five years, guaranteed. Roof restoration isn’t just convenient—it’s good for the environment, too.

But before you decide if a roof restoration is right for you, let’s explore your options so you can decide better between roof restoration vs. roof replacement.

How Much Will It Cost to Fix or Replace a Roof?

The cost of fixing a roof depends on where you live and how much of the roof needs to be replaced. Fixing a few shingles here and there may only cost a few hundred dollars, but total roof replacement can be incredibly expensive.

Based on a national average, roof replacement costs run anywhere from $5,000-$10,000. Roof replacement in Southern cities like Austin is usually about $7,000, while Western cities like Denver is usually closer to $9,000 or more. This cost is 40% based on materials, and 60% based on labor. Every homeowner should also make sure their costs include a 5- or 10-year warranty.

Asphalt shingles are the most affordable type of roofing material to replace, while metal, steel, and slate roofs are much more costly. Copper comes in as the most expensive type of roofing to replace.

Metal roofing can last over 50 years as long as it’s properly installed, and the structure below can support the greater weight of the materials. If you’re considering steel, copper, slate, or other alternatives to asphalt shingles, you should calculate the greater installation costs compared to the costs of maintaining and perhaps replacing an asphalt roof.

How Do I Get Homeowners’ Insurance to Pay for My Roof?

You may be able to get your homeowners’ insurance to pay for your new roof, as long as your policy includes roof repair coverage or roof replacement coverage. Review a copy of your policy or contact your agent to get details on your coverage, then take time to document the damage and file a claim. Once the claim is approved, you can contact a reputable roof restoration or repair company to execute the job.

It is important to note that the only way a homeowner can have their roof replaced and covered by insurance is if the roof has been damaged to the point of a total loss by an event such as a severe hail storm or hurricane.

That’s why regularly monitoring the condition of your roof and performing maintenance is so important. Insurance won’t cover roof damage that has resulted from gradual deterioration, so it pays to take care of it over time. You can contact a roof professional to inspect your roof periodically to make sure you know its condition.

What Time of Year Is Best to Replace a Roof?

Sometimes, a roof just needs to be replaced. There can be structural damage to the roof or enough deterioration that restoration or repair won’t cut it. Some instances when roof replacement is needed include:

  • Depressions in the roof where water regularly collects
  • Multiple significant tears in the roofing and/or flashing
  • Signs of water damage in upper floor ceilings
  • Mold on and in the roofing
  • Significant impact or other structural damage

If your roof has experienced enough deterioration or damage to warrant a full replacement, it helps to plan ahead and get it done right. The timing of your roof replacement is a vital part of the planning process.

Spring or fall is usually the ideal time to replace a roof, since winter can be cold and snowy and summer can be very hot. But roof replacement can really be done at any time of year—what’s most important is that you’re prepared to pay for it.

Keep in mind, the roofing company will need to do repairs on a day that’s free of rain or snow in order to safely make repairs and replacements. You might get a lower rate from the installer if you get it done in the offseason.

Should an Old Roof Be Removed or Restored?

Overhead photo of a roof just part way through being shingled.
Overhead photo of a roof just part way through being shingled.

It’s always best to remove an old roof before installing a new one. This allows for a clean, fresh surface that makes it easier to install new shingles properly. Leaving an old roof under the new one can cause it to look lumpy and can create roofing problems later on.

The old roof can also hide signs of structural damage or deterioration beneath the surface. Removing the old roofing makes thoroughly inspecting the roof more effective.

Aside from the cost and inconvenience of a roof replacement, another drawback is the waste. While roof restoration can keep your shingles going strong on your roof, replacing it means recycling the old shingles or throwing them in the local landfill. If you can opt for roof restoration, it’s certainly the more sustainable choice.

Get Roof Restoration Services With Roof Maxx Today

Roof Maxx work truck parked outside of a residence where a worker is standing on the roof.
Roof Maxx work truck parked outside of a residence where a worker is standing on the roof.

Roof replacement is expensive and unnecessary in many situations. If you’re ready to save thousands of dollars on roof restoration, contact Roof Maxx today. We have you covered with our quick, affordable, eco-friendly roof restoration services. Get in touch and we’ll come by to see if your roof is a candidate for roof restoration. You can easily contact us by filling out our Free Quote form.

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