Can you Replace Half a Roof?

Published on Friday October 22, 2021

The expected lifespan of your roof varies depending on the materials used, how well it is maintained, and the overall environment of your home. Unfortunately, even the most durable roofs cannot be everlasting. Through time and wear and tear, all roofs eventually either need a repair or full replacement. But say only part of your roof is damaged… can you replace half a roof?

Hypothetically, yes, you can replace half a roof, but any expert in the roofing field will strongly advise against it. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t be replacing half a roof.

Why replacing half a roof isn’t the best idea

If you are wondering if you can just replace half a roof, then it’s important to understand that while yes, you technically can…but it’s not a good idea. Replacing half a roof may sound like an excellent means for saving money and preserving parts of your roof that don’t look like they are actively decaying. However, it can cause a lot of other problems for your home.

Consider the following reasons why you may not want to replace half a roof:

Appearance

The roof of your home serves many purposes. While it is mainly built to keep your home and family protected from the weather elements outside, it is also meant to add character and curb appeal to your home. Different colors, styles, and designs all add character and personality to your home. The right roof can even add a lot of value to your home.

When you only replace half of your roof, you run the risk of facing some unwanted appearance issues. For example, replacing half the roof means you may have mismatching colors, textures, and even materials in the two different sections of your roof. Where once you had a cohesive roof that added to your home’s value, a mismatched roof can ruin its appearance.

Not only can it be unattractive to look at, ruining your home’s curb appeal, but an uneven roof also means the two sides of your roof may behave differently. They may fade differently, respond to weather differently, and overall add a strange look to your home. To help keep your home’s appearance consistent, it’s best to replace the entire roof at one time.

Lifespans

When you replace a section of roof, it has a brand new life. While shingle roofs tend to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, metal roofs can last upwards of 50. That means that a new section of the roof will have a whole new lifespan. However, if you don’t replace the entire roof, then you will have two sections of the roof that each need to be replaced at vastly different times.

This becomes problematic since you will constantly be dealing with roof issues in the older part of your roof. The newer section will withstand winds and rain much better than the old section, so you’ll continually be dealing with maintenance issues and repairs in one section or the other. Replacing your entire roof at one time helps you know how to properly care for your roof without worrying about leaks, mold, or damage.

More expensive than you think

In a crisis, homeowners struggling with roof leaks may ask the question “can you replace only half a roof?” in the hopes of saving money, it’s important to know that replacing half a roof costs more than you may think. Similar to DIY roofing projects, attempting half a roof replacement often ends up being a bigger hassle than it’s worth. It doesn’t save that much money and can even cost more if you account for probable repairs that will come along with having two different roofs.

The manpower it takes to get a roofing crew out to your home and cover the labor expenses can make two roofing projects far more expensive. Additionally, when you have a roof with uneven lifespans, you’re going to deal with more repairs. The potential for leaks, damages, and drafts is higher in the older section of the roof. All of these issues and repairs can end up costing you way more in the long run than if you replace the entire roof at one time.

Talk to the Roofing Experts

A new roof is a big project. We understand why you may be looking for ways to make it more manageable. Replacing half a roof, however, isn’t going to save you any headaches. The better option for a quick, affordable roofing replacement is to work with roofing experts who can help you find the best material and schedule for your replacement. Contact Long Roofing to get your roofing questions answered so you feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire roofing project.