Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages of Roof Repair and Replacement in Connecticut and Massachusetts 

When it comes to home improvement projects, the sky is the limit. Home improvement can be strictly cosmetic, strictly practical, or a combination of both. Some projects can be done quickly and easily, without any professional help or intervention. On the contrary, some projects are best left to the professionals and should be overseen with immense care and consideration.

Roofing repair, and especially replacement, are two home improvement projects that fall under the latter category. In almost every scenario, you will want to enlist a professional roofer to execute and oversee the project. In this article, we’ll reinforce the importance of hiring the right roofer in addition to discussing the advantages and disadvantages that can occur when opting for roofing over replacement, and vice versa, especially as it pertains to Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Roof Repair: Advantages and Disadvantages

Your roof has problems. This is the primary reason roofers are called in for a job or evaluation. Roofs, while arguably one of a home’s most important structural components, are chronically neglected. In most cases, people won’t send for roof repair or replacement until there is an obvious issue. 

Now that you’ve noticed and/or identified the existence of an issue, it’s time to determine the proper course of action. In some cases, it is abundantly clear what needs to be done, and a reputable roofer will make a hard and fast determination that you should either repair or replace your roof. On the contrary, many circumstances fall in between and can go either way in terms of how you choose to move forward. We’ll begin by talking about the advantages and disadvantages of roof repair. 

Advantages: 

• Cost: There are no ifs ands or buts about it, roof repair is a lot less expensive than replacement. In most cases, you will spend less money repairing one or two sections of the roof, versus overhauling the entire structure.

• Do It Yourself: If you do not have prior roofing experience, you should be advised to work with a professional or at a minimum, work alongside a person who has prior experience. With that said, some roof repairs can be executed by the homeowner (or business owner), exclusively. This is all dependent on the nature of the issue and its severity. If you have any doubts or find that you have hit a roadblock during the DIY process, contact a professional immediately to prevent further damage.

• Time and Timeline: Time is valuable, and repairs will take far less time than replacements. While replacements can still occur on time, across the board, you will be investing more time and money into replacements versus repairs. Repairs are also easier to execute during the off-season months, for example, the wintertime which makes it more difficult for replacements to be quickly executed, especially in New England. It is much trickier to pencil in a full-on replacement than it is a repair.

Disadvantages:  

• Costs: Yep, you read that right. Costs are both an advantage and a disadvantage when undergoing roof repair. For instance, while one small repair is generally an easy fix for roofers if you have multiple small issues, they can eventually end up overtaking the roof and causing big problems. Before you know it, the costs of repair are increasing, and your roofer may also find, during an evaluation, that the problems are potentially more serious than they initially let on.

• Short-Term Solution: In some cases, opting for a roof repair is a short-term solution that only prolongs the inevitable need for replacement. Some repairs might be able to temporarily pacify the damage that appears on the surface; certain issues are so deeply embedded into the roof’s structure, that they ultimately require a replacement to be fully (and safely) eradicated. 

• Circumstantial Issues: Certain roofing issues can occur because of location, lack of materials, and other specific variables. These specifics can only be assessed on a personal level, but they can nevertheless determine the individual’s choice to opt for a repair versus a replacement. 

Roof Replacement: Advantages and Disadvantages

To be blunt, roof replacements are expensive. They are also sometimes the only viable and safe option. For a lot of people, the choice is simple, a replacement must occur. At the same time, like repairs, there is a considerable gray area where the customer can weigh the pros and cons of repair versus replacement to arrive at a decision. Now that we’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of repair, let’s tackle replacement.  

Advantages: 

• Energy Efficient: There are a lot of variables that will determine how long your roof lasts, ergo, we cannot give a definitive lifespan estimate without a proper assessment. If a roof is properly installed per the materials and environment, it can realistically last anywhere from 20-50 years. While this is great for property owners, a lot can change technologically in half a century, and new roofs are energy efficient in a way that older models are not. This makes new roofs not only energy-efficient but also cost-effective.

• Curb Appeal and Appearance: There are a lot of home improvement projects that can instantly yield higher curb appeal, and a new roof is one of them. Consider this- a roof makes up over 40% of your exterior, therefore, if your roof is downtrodden and visibly dated, it can have a dramatic effect on how outsiders and appraisers perceive the property.

• Long-Term Solution: If you find yourself constantly dipping into your bank account to pay for roof repair treatments, the next logical step is to consider a one-time fix that leaves your roof in mint condition. A replacement will effectively overcome any recurring issues that your roof has, ultimately saving you time and money.

Disadvantages: 

• Timeliness & Disruptiveness: A roof replacement is almost always going to take more time than a roof repair and can be disruptive to your day-to-day life. Unpredictable variables like material shortages, weather conditions, seasonal issues, etc can further exacerbate these time issues.

• Cost: Cost is probably the biggest downside when it comes to roof replacements. While certain projects can be done cheaply and economically, you do not want to ever cut corners on a replacement. Opting for a less reputable company that promises you a cheaper installation is a good way to get a botched result and an invoice that has you funneling more money into repairs. With that said, it can still be difficult to find the funds to get your roof replaced. Many companies do offer financing options.

Whether You opt for a Replacement or Repair Always Ensure That You Hire a Professional Team to do the Work

Reading a blog post like this can be very helpful in determining the appropriate course of action for your roofing needs. We always recommend finding a proper roofing professional like our team at LA Roofing located in Massachusetts and Connecticut, to execute the project. A professional will be able to give you a personalized recommendation based on their observations, and ultimately, help you determine whether a repair or replacement is in your best interest.

If you have any other questions about roof replacement CT, roofing services, roofing contractors, roofing industry, roof construction, roofing systems, and roof maintenance or repairs, be sure to contact LA Roofing, your trusted Connecticut local roofing contractor. Your reputable Connecticut Roofing Company will be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have. So don’t wait – take action today to protect your home and increase the longevity of your roof.