Removing and replacing old roofs was the go-to roofing solution for decades because it offered building owners the longest lifespan at the most economical price. However, today, building owners have better options than in the past because re-roofing solutions like Metal-over-Metal and Metal-over-Shingle recover solutions offer owners many advantages.
One of the most important factors to consider when replacing a roof is how long the new roof will last. After all, the longer you can go without replacing a roof the better. Both Remove and Replace and Roof Recover options offer building owners’ decades of service-life expectancy.
One of the biggest advantages of Recover vs Remove and Replace is the avoidance of tear-off hassles and expenses. Removing a roof requires significant time, and that means high labor costs. But removing a roof can also have other, less obvious, costs.
When you remove and replace a roof, the roof obviously has to be removed, so the structure and building interior is exposed for a period of time. For many businesses this can mean a disruption in business operations resulting in lost revenue from the disruption and downtime.
Also, the longer the structure has no roof, the greater the chance for wind and rain damage to occur as well.
You can also learn more about recover roofing by watching our free on-demand webinar.
Recover options, on the other hand, allow for the existing roof to be left in place so the time the job will take is significantly shorter than remove and replace. The business can remain open while the contractor installs the new panels over the top of the old. And there is little risk of internal damage from exposure.
Another significant cost difference comes from the necessity of new roofs to meet new, stricter energy codes. Often, recover solutions are exempt from meeting these new codes. If a building owner opts for removing and replacing the original roof, some local building codes may require that the building be brought up to current insulation requirements which may add significantly to the cost of project.
When recovering a roof, building owners can opt to add insulation and see a reduction in utility expenses. Building owners should know that according to the Department of Energy, up to 35% of energy costs for the average building is spent on heating, cooling, and ventilation. The decision to add insulation during a recover project will provide a big return in terms of heating and cooling savings.
Learn more about roof recover solutions in this video:
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Replacing a roof is a decision that takes time and research to find the best solution for your situation.
We’ve written an eBook to help make the process easier, comparing the various roofing options, their advantages, and costs.
Download your copy of Need a New Roof: How Building Owners Reduce Cost with a Metal Roof by clicking below.
About McElroy Metal
Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The employee-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 14 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.
Topics: Education, Metal Roofing, Recover and Retrofit, Cost
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