Repair Or Replace: Which Is The Best Choice
For Your Newton, NJ, Asphalt Shingle Roof?
Here Are The Factors That Determine What
You Should Do About Your Roof
Your roof has suffered plenty of damage, and you suspect you need a full roof replacement for your Newton home. Heavy snow and large branches have compromised your roof’s structure, and you have a few leaks.
You suspect you need a full roof replacement but are unsure whether that’s true. Perhaps there’s a possibility you can get by with repair work – maybe you won’t need a complete roof replacement after all.
RJW Exteriors has been installing roofs for Northern New Jersey homeowners since 1994. We can tell you whether your roof can get by with repairs or if you need a full replacement. Our guide below will help you identify the best choice of action for your roof and home.
What Factors Determine Whether You Need
Repairs Or A Roof Replacement?
Five factors determine whether repairs or a full replacement is the best course of action. These factors are:
- The roof’s age
- The type of damage
- Your long-term plans
- The cost of repairs vs replacement
- How urgently you need repairs/replacement
First, we’ll begin with the roof’s age. An asphalt shingle roof can last up to 30 years, depending on the shingle quality and how well it’s maintained. There are two things to consider regarding the age factor.
The first is how well the roof can withstand repairs. A newer, less damaged roof can handle the stress of repair work just fine. An older, heavily damaged roof – closer to 25 years old – may be better off getting replaced.
The wear and tear make the older roof less likely to withstand the repair work. Repairs may not do much for a roof that’s suffered decades of wear and tear. The structural integrity likely isn’t strong enough for the work to matter.
The Type Of Damage
You can handle a few missing shingles with repair work. However, structural issues or damage to the underlying decking may require replacement. You can have these issues repaired, but the severity of the damage may make replacement the more practical option.
Your Long-Term Plans
Are you planning to move, and is the damage severe? If the answer to either is “yes,” you may want to repair your roof. A new roof can add curb appeal and value to your home, which makes a replacement worth considering.
If you’re moving but the damage is relatively small and localized, then repairs are the better option. Of course, deciding to live in your forever home with a severely damaged roof isn’t a good choice.
You could suffer moisture damage and mold growth if the elements enter your home via holes or leaks. A full replacement is key to your safety and comfort if you stay in a house with a heavily damaged roof.
If you intend to stay in your home long-term and the roof is only minimally damaged, then repair work is a suitable choice.
The Cost Of Repairs Vs Replacement
Repairs are more cost-effective for minor damage like missing or curled shingles. However, repair work becomes more expensive when there’s more extensive damage.
There could come a point where repairs cost about the same as a full roof replacement. At that point, you may as well get a new roof that you can customize from the bottom up.
How Urgently You Need The Repairs/Replacement
Urgency is tricky to judge because it’s circumstantial. Repair work, even for damage you know it won’t solve long-term, could be the best choice to prevent further damage from an upcoming storm.
Outside this specific circumstance, you’d opt for a full replacement. The issue is urgent, and a replacement may take longer, but it will ensure you don’t have to do patchwork repairs again.
Who Will You Choose For Your
Full Roof Replacement?
Choosing between repairs and replacement can be tricky, but you don’t have to navigate the decision alone. RJW Exteriors has been handling roof replacements for clients across Northern New Jersey for over three decades.
We can spot whether repairs or a complete roof replacement is the right choice for you, thanks to our years of experience and skill. We can have you outfitted with a high-performance, top-quality roof in no time!
Do you need a new roof? Then call RJW Exteriors at (973) 810-4449 or visit us online to schedule your in-home consultation today!
