Differences Between The Two Options
Do you own your home or apartment? If so then they require a lot of upkeep. Mostly inside the house but sometimes the roof of your dream home starts to develop some wear and tear and you could be faced with a tough question. Whether to restore your existing roof or put a completely new roof on.
This is usually a personal choice, but costs and time come into the equation. For most of us, the idea of doing it ourselves seems like a herculean task so it is best to get the local professional roofers in. But how do you decide between restoring your old roof or simply replacing the whole lot with a new one?
In the article, we are going to go through which option is best. Ultimately it will be a personal choice, but we will give you all the necessary information needed so you can make an informed decision regarding your roofing situation.
What is a roof restoration?
Roof restoration is giving an entire makeover of your existing roof. What this includes is painting over areas that are old and worn. Cleaning the roof and replacing any tiles that are broken or damaged. When done correctly, the old roof can look like new and can add years onto the roof’s life. You can restore your roof with three main materials in Terracotta, Cement, and Iron.
When should you restore your roof?
- Fire Damage– Smoke, soot, and flames can damage the structure of your roof.
- Water Damage– Heavy rain and snow can find their way into the shingles of your roof and cause damage.
- Hail Damage– Depending on where you live, severe hailstorms can batter your roof.
- Wind Damage– High winds can rip parts of your roof off and throw up debris onto your roof causing damage.
Advantages of roof restoration
- Far more affordable than replacing the whole roof.
- Environmentally friendly as it reuses some parts of your existing roof.
- Extends the life span of the roof by up to 15 years.
- Improves the overall health of your roof.
How much does a roof restoration cost?
On average the cost of a full roof restoration for the normal Australian house will start at around $2500. Some companies usually charge per square metre and the size of your roof will determine the cost.
An example is for a small roof, companies might charge between $28-$38, a medium-size roof could be between $25-$30 and a bigger roof could fetch between $17 and $22 per square metre.
What is re-roofing? (getting a new roof)
Re-roofing is just another word for a roof replacement. What that means is that you completely gut the roof and replace all the materials currently on it. Sometimes this even means the roof trusses and support structure too.
You can’t do it yourself so you should get a professional inspector in to do it properly. It is far more expensive than a simple restoration because of the methods and materials that are used. Experts recommend using more energy-efficient materials and this is a great chance to change the style of your current roof.
When should you re-roof?
Ideally, you should only re-roof when the existing roof is damaged beyond repair and can’t be restored. This is when replacing the shingles, tiles, and resurfacing simply just won’t do and the structural integrity of the roof comes into question.
Advantages of re-roofing
- Property value- Makes your house easier to sell.
- Better return on investment.
- Increased curb appeal.
- Better health and safety.
- New look.
- Reduces the stress of having a less than sturdy roof.
How much does re-roofing cost?
The thing that you will have to factor in when re-roofing is the type of material you choose. Concrete tiles are the cheapest, while clay/stone tiles with Colourbond are on the expensive side. Re-roofing is priced per square metre like roof restoration and is considerably more expensive.
You can expect to pay in the range of:
- $8 to $10 per square metre for sarking
- $40 to $60 per square metre for concrete tiled roofing
- $50 to $70 per square metre for steel roofing
- $80 to $110 per square metre for terracotta tiled roofing
- $200 to $500 per square metre for traditional slate tiled roof
These prices are largely dependant on the area and size of your roof. The two main types of material that people use for their re-roofing needs are metal and tile roofing.
Metal or colourbond is flexible and durable and can last up to 25 years and is more affordable and easier to maintain than tiles.
Tiled roofing is normally, slate, concrete, or terracotta. They are frost-resistant, and they are also non-combustible so if you live in a bush fire area, these are a great choice. Concrete tiles are exceptionally durable and should last around 50 years if installed correctly while Slate won’t fade, discolour or crack. If installed correctly Slate can last over a century.
FAQ’s
Should I restore or re-roof?
Ultimately this will depend on the current state of your roof. If it only needs patchwork done to fix up areas then restoration is best. However, if restoration will not improve your roof, then re-roofing is best.
How long does a roof restoration take?
Normally around 2-3 days depending on what has to be done.
How do I pick the right contractor to do the work?
To do this you need to make sure the contractor is licensed, has valid insurance, gives a warranty on their work, and ask for some references on their previous work. On top of that, get a full quote so you can have an idea about the costs involved. Make sure to do your research.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we have given you enough information regarding your roofing needs. Ultimately the decision is up to you and what state your roof is currently in. As with anything do your proper research, look around, and find the best prices and people to do the job for you.
