skip to main content

Re roofing original part of house and roofing a new addition..??

16 years ago

Hi

Could someone please help us make a decision regarding roofing? Two years ago we had a leaking skylight in our family room and replaced the skylight and the roof of that room at the same time. We could not afford to reroof the entire house at that point. Now, we are adding on a 20 x20 addition at the back of our home to accomodate aging grandparents when they stay over to visit so they don't have to go up the stairs. My question is this, we want to reroof the rest of the home now since we are doing the addition. Our GC recommends putting a second layer of roofing material on top of the old instead of a tear off. Won't this look funny with some parts of the roof a single layer and others double? We have architectural shingles.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Jon1270
16 years ago
I've been told, though it could've been bad info, that you can't legally put two layers of architectural shingles on a house.

Why do you want to re-do a 2-year-old roof?
ron6519
16 years ago
If you reroofed one entire section, and the manufacturer still makes the same color roofing, why would you do this? Only if the two roofs were seen at the same time and the colors did not match would I do it.
I don't know how you're roof lays out.
Ron
Related Discussions
addition to a 1905 hip roof house -- help!
Q
Comments (7)
James, thanks for your reply. We were wondering about the chimney too. It vents the dining room fireplace and the hot water heater. We installed a 90% efficient furnace when we moved in, so that vents out the side wall of the basement, not out the chimney. I'm expecting that the architect will have to incorporate the chimney in the design and we may have to have it built higher to meet code. Yes, that's a gambrel roof on the far side. This house has a nice mishmash of architectural features. No one has ever really touched the original design which makes us cautious and nervous -- the original condition was one of the main attractions to us when we first saw the house. Our architect is an old house owner herself, so that should be a good sign. We are hoping to step the addition in on the left side (looking from the back) by at least a foot. My husband was trying to sketch a possible roof line that would join a smaller hip into the existing hip. His sketch looked pretty good. I was just hoping to see where someone had done something similar. I'm not sure yet what the architect envisions. I guess I need to be patient and let her do her thing. : ) Here's a picture of the side with the gambrel:
...See More
should addition of an overhang be added to our new roofing job?
Q
Comments (10)
Existing conditions are that there is no overhang. Not sure how else to describe it. None, nada. Roof stops at the top of the sides of the house. None of the houses in our old neighborhood have overhangs except in one case where the homeowner had it added. It doesn't extend out that much, 1 foot at most, but probably a little less. The roof is 17 years old and does need to be replaced. We just don't know whether we should add the task of adding an overhang to the job. Our climate is almost tropical here in Houston, TX. No snow but a lot of heat. The roofer "does do overhangs", at least according to what he says. Though this roofer was highly rated, we are going to at least interview another roofer. "require a canopy" means (I thought) require extra build out beneath the overhang (other than the standard extension of the studs that are part of the roof) in order to support the overhang. (Kind of like requiring the brackets under each shelf that are used when building a book shelf.) Don't want to have to add brackets underneath the overhang, I don't think.
...See More
New steeper roof without removing old roof?
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks all for the input and opinions on this. I've come to my senses though and realized that this is what we call in the software industry "scope creep", where the end goal keeps moving further and further afield. I need to keep reminding myself that I'm only going to care about this particular house for a few years, and I would NOT get my money back for "raising the roof". My goal with this house is not to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear, but rather to make a functional velcro wallet to use while I build a better house. :)
...See More
new addition higher than the original house
Q
Comments (6)
I believe the eves can be detailed to make them blend and be a non-issue. It will require only a fraction as much attention as would be required if the plate is left out. When detailing something like this I've found useing a clean effecient break often turns out better than trying to hide it. Actually the roof surface deserves more attention than things we have discussed. All in a day's work for good roofers,possible forever pita if botched. Without looking at the overall plan,a 1 1/2" step flash carried across roof from facia to facia comes to mind. You are being smart by dealing with it now on paper rather than dealing with it as it go's along. You indicated new slab is already in place,if it still must be poured,what can go wrong if a 1 1/2" brick ledge is used to rest bottom plate on?
...See More
graciesmom284
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi,
Jon1270, we are not planning on reroofing the 2 yr old roof. Just the part we couldn't afford to do 2 yrs. ago. we want to do the rest of the roof now since we are doing an addition. but the gc recommends just putting a second layer on top of the old roof instead of a tear off. we did a tear off 2yrs ago that's what was recommended at the time.
Ron6519, you can see all roofs at the same time. but i'm concerned a second layer on some parts and one layer on the other will look funny?
mbishop10
16 years ago
We're are in a very similar boat. Adding on a 20 x 20 addition, but the rest of the house is also due for a re roof. One of out prospective GC's said to save some money we could we could re roof over the existing shingles since they were the three tab and not architectural shingles. He said that roofing over the architectural shingles would give it a wavy or bumpy appearance.
I too am curious if a roof over is the right thing to do.
graciesmom284
Original Author
16 years ago
ok
just in case anyone is wondering...we decided to trust our gc and put a second layer of shingles over the first. it doesn't look that bad. there are a few bumps here and there but it is not noticeable unless you are looking for them.

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Love the One You're With: Honoring a Home's Original Charm

By Sarah Phipps Design

Before you jump into teardown mode, consider these 3 examples of homes whose quirkiness is a draw

HOME INNOVATIONS Houzz Tour: Meet a Home Made With Minivan Parts

By Becky Harris

Sawn-off car roofs for the siding, windows popped out of van doors ... this California home is as resourceful as it is beautiful

EXTERIORS Roofing Materials: Slate Makes for Fireproof Roofs That Last

By Rachel Grace

It stands up to weather and fire without losing its high-end look. But can your budget handle it?

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Original Drawings Guide a Midcentury Gem's Reinvention

By Kimberley Bryan

Architect's spec book in hand, a Washington couple lovingly re-creates their midcentury home with handmade furniture and thoughtful details

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Know Your House: Components of a Roof

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Don't get held up by confusion over trusses, rafters and purlins. Learn about a roof's features and their purposes here

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Butterfly Roofs Top a Sydney Terrace House

By Vanessa Brunner

Modern remodel retains 19th century facade while pouring natural light into new and old spaces

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Innovative Home Reunites Generations Under One Roof

By Annie Thornton

Parents build a bright and sunny modern house where they can age in place alongside their 3 grown children and significant others

REMODELING GUIDES Original Home Details: What to Keep, What to Cast Off

By Laura Gaskill

Renovate an older home without regrets with this insight on the details worth preserving

ARCHITECTURE Know Your House: Learn the Lingo of Rooftops

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Knowing the language of rooftop design will help you through your next repair or remodel project

GREEN BUILDING 6 Green-Roof Myths, Busted

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Leaky, costly, a pain to maintain ... nope, nope and nope. Get the truth about living roofs and see examples from simple to elaborate

Sponsored

More Discussions

Subway or herringbone backsplash for our new kitchen?? Thank you!

7

bathroom shower drain caulk question

7

Need some help on counter tops for kitchen

13

White oak flooring - rift/quarter-sawn vs. live sawn - advice needed!

7

Mixing Shaker cabinet widths?

6