Two new additions and an aging roof made the choice easy: one new roof over the entire home, with every valley between the old construction and the new done right.
We had a large project in Dallas where we will reveal the other parts later. With two new additions to the home and an aging roof, the best thing to do was to put a new roof on the entire home.
Of course, we had to build the two additions to the home before putting the roof on. But this was also the best-case scenario: since the old roof was coming off, we were able to make sure every valley was correct between the old construction and the new.
With the decking exactly how we wanted it, we got the underlayment down, then started working on installing the shingles.
If a project adds onto your house, changes the roofline, or otherwise touches the roof, the best time to look at the whole roof is before the work starts, not after. Two things make it worth the conversation: matching and tie-ins.
Matching is harder than it sounds. New shingles rarely match old ones. Even the same product in the same color looks different beside a roof that has weathered for years in the Texas sun, and manufacturers change or discontinue colors over time. A patch of new roof next to an old one can stand out from the street for years. Replacing the whole roof gives you one consistent look and one roof system to stand behind.
Where the roofs meet has to be right. The most important part of an addition roof is where the new roof ties into the old one. Valleys, flashing, and the transition between roof planes all have to be set correctly, because those are the places where leaks most often start. When the old roof is already coming off, the crew can see the decking and framing on both sides, correct any differences between the old construction and the new, and build every valley right the first time.
Timing and cost. A full replacement during a remodel usually makes the most sense when the existing roof is already aging, when the addition shares several valleys with the old roof, or when you would otherwise be cutting into a nearly new roof to tie in. Doing it all in one project means one crew, one schedule, and no paying to disturb a fresh roof later. If the existing roof is fairly new and the addition is small, a careful tie-in with the closest match available can work. Ask your contractor to show you exactly how they would handle it.
On this project, an aging roof plus two additions made the decision easy. Our roof replacement and home addition services work hand in hand for exactly this reason.
Although the roof is really the icing on this cake, we can’t wait to show you the rest of the project. Check back soon for the other two parts of this project.
