Yes, if the damage is minor, a reputable roofing contractor can replace individual shingles without needing a full roof replacement. This targeted repair helps restore your roof’s integrity and extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

Roofs can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years, depending on factors like design, materials, and maintenance. In Buffalo, where harsh snow and weather conditions impact one side of the roof, even high-quality shingles may deteriorate faster. With modern shingles offering 50-year warranties, longevity is improving.

Installing a roof over the top of an existing roof is generally acceptable under these guidelines:

• The International Building Code (IBC) allows one recover (over wood or asphalt shingles only)
• No wet insulation can be left in place
• The roof structure must be able to handle the additional roof load. The new roof must be attached to the roof deck to meet wind loads (it is not generally acceptable to adhere the new roof to the old roof).
• The most commonly used technique for installing the second layer of asphalt shingles over the first only applies when covering three tab shingles with laminate style shingles.
• Most insurance companies will not recognize the installation of a second layer of roofing products over the existing roof as a good practice. Policy holders may want to contact your carrier prior to making these repairs.
• Wind resistance is nearly always compromised.

The optimum time to install an asphalt shingled roof is when the temperatures are between 40­-80 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind and rain are at the lowest intensity and frequency. This allows the roofer the best conditions for installation, with the fewest interruptions, lowest risk of leaking, and an ideal time to minimize any unintentional damage to the roofing system (i.e., scuff marks from foot traffic).

Once a shingled roof is installed, the sun with “cook it down”. You may notice the shingles lay a bit flatter after a couple of days, this is normal. The heat also sets the glue between shingles.

• Different roof types fail at differing rates and with different failure modes. Several general clues include:
• Does the roof leak in numerous locations?
• Do leaks continue, despite repeated repair attempts?
• Do repairs seem to make leaks worse, or do new leaks develop after repairs?
• Are there signs of missing, cracked or curling shingles?
• Are there stains on interior walls or ceilings? It is generally better to re-roof at the appropriate juncture, rather than pouring money and time into ill-­advised repairs.

How much is a new car? Well, the answer to both questions is, "That depends."

Every re-roofing projects cost is going to be dependent on some of these factors:

• How large is the area of the roof?
• How steep is the roof (pitch)?
• How many stories tall is the building?
• How many layers of existing material need to be removed?
• What brand and style of roofing products will be reinstalled ?

The final price to install a new roofing system can range from $3.50 per sq ft of the structure to $12.00 per sq ft.

Look for an established, licensed, or bonded roofer and request references. Ask to see certificates of insurance for liability and workers compensation insurance coverage. Insist on a detailed, written estimate, showing material needed, labor charges, and approximate starting and completion dates. As self-­serving as this sounds, a knowledgeable roof consultant can steer you through the many pitfalls of buying a new roof. With their help, you can pick the right roof system to meet both your design expectations and budget limitations. The good contractors appreciate opportunities to bid roofing projects like yours.