Why We Only Offer Full Roof Replacements: The Truth About Overlays

When your roof starts showing signs of age or damage, you’re faced with a crucial decision: complete roof replacement or roof overlay? As Central Pennsylvania roofing experts with over decades of experience serving local homeowners, we’ve made a firm commitment to only offer full roof replacements to our customers. This isn’t about maximizing profits—it’s about providing the highest quality, longest-lasting solution for your home.

This comprehensive guide will explain why we’ve taken this position and help you understand why a complete roof replacement is the superior investment for Pennsylvania homeowners.

Understanding Your Roofing Options: Why One Clearly Outperforms the Other

Before explaining our stance, let’s clarify what each option entails:

Full Roof Replacement (Tear-Off)

A complete roof replacement involves removing all existing roofing materials down to the deck (the wooden structural surface). This process allows our contractors to:

• Inspect and repair any underlying damage
• Replace damaged roof decking
• Install new water-resistant underlayment
• Replace flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys
• Install new shingles or other roofing material
• Update ridge vents and other ventilation components

This method gives you a “fresh start” with your roof system, addressing any hidden problems and providing maximum longevity.

Roof Overlay (Second Layer) – What We Don’t Offer

A roof overlay, also called a recovery, involves installing new shingles directly on top of your existing roof. While some companies offer this as a “budget-friendly” option, we’ve chosen not to provide this service to our customers for several crucial reasons we’ll explore below.

Why Heritage Roofing Systems Doesn’t Offer Overlays: The Hard Truth

After 15+ years of serving Central Pennsylvania homeowners, we’ve made the conscious decision to avoid roof overlays entirely. Here’s why:

1. Hidden Damage Remains Unaddressed

Overlays cover up existing problems without solving them. When we install a new layer of shingles over the old one:

• Water damage continues to spread
• Rotted decking remains compromised
• Damaged flashing continues to leak
• Structural issues worsen over time

We believe in fixing problems, not covering them up.

2. Significant Moisture Build-Up

Adding a second layer creates the perfect environment for moisture to become trapped between layers. This leads to:

• Accelerated rot of your roof deck
• Potential mold and mildew growth
• Degradation of insulation effectiveness
• Increased risk of interior water damage

3. Compromised Ventilation

Proper roof ventilation is crucial for regulating temperature and moisture levels. An overlay:

• Impedes natural airflow through your roofing system
• Creates heat pockets that damage new shingles
• Contributes to ice dam formation in Pennsylvania winters
• Reduces energy efficiency throughout your home

4. Dramatically Shortened Lifespan

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to roof longevity:

Roofing Option	Expected Lifespan	Primary Causes of Failure
Full Replacement	20-30 years	Normal weathering and aging
Roof Overlay	10-15 years	Heat trapped between layers, hidden damage progression, accelerated deterioration

Why would we offer a solution that fails in half the time?

5. Dangerous Weight Load

Each layer of asphalt shingles adds approximately 2-3 pounds per square foot to your roof. For a typical 2,000 square foot roof, that’s up to 6,000 additional pounds your structure must support. This extra weight:

• Stresses rafters and trusses
• Can lead to sagging and structural issues
• Creates particular concerns with Pennsylvania’s heavy snow loads
• May violate building codes in many jurisdictions

6. Nightmarish Future Repairs

When inevitable problems arise with an overlay roof:

• Pinpointing leak sources becomes extremely difficult
• Repairs often require removing multiple layers
• Costs escalate significantly
• Temporary fixes rarely last

The Financial Reality: Why Replacements Actually Save You Money

Let’s address the elephant in the room—cost. While overlays appear less expensive initially, the long-term financial picture tells a different story:

This doesn’t even account for:

• Higher energy costs due to poor ventilation
• Potential interior damage repairs
• Reduced home value when selling
• Limited or voided manufacturer warranties

When Only a Full Replacement Makes Sense

At Heritage Roofing Systems, we recommend full replacements in all scenarios because:

1. Existing Roof Problems Cannot Be Solved By Overlays

If your current roof shows any signs of:

• Leaks or water damage
• Soft spots or sagging
• Mold or rot
• Curling or buckling shingles
• Significant granule loss

These issues indicate potential deck damage that must be addressed through proper tear-off and replacement.

2. Long-Term Value Always Favors Replacement

Even if you’re planning to sell your home, a proper roof replacement:

• Offers better return on investment
• Provides a strong selling point for potential buyers
• Eliminates concerns during home inspections
• Demonstrates proper home maintenance and care

3. Pennsylvania’s Climate Demands Proper Roofing

Our region’s unique weather challenges—including:

• Heavy winter snow loads
• Spring and summer thunderstorms
• Significant seasonal temperature fluctuations
• High humidity periods

—all require a roof that’s properly installed from the deck up.

4. Building Code Compliance Matters

Most Pennsylvania municipalities follow the International Residential Code (IRC), which typically limits homes to two roofing layers. Many existing homes already have multiple layers, making a tear-off mandatory for the next project regardless.

Our Commitment to Quality Over Shortcuts

At Heritage Roofing Systems, we’ve built our reputation on doing what’s right for our customers, not what’s easiest or most profitable in the short term. By refusing to offer overlays, we ensure:

• Every project starts with a thorough deck inspection
• All underlying problems are properly addressed
• Your new roof achieves its full potential lifespan
• You receive maximum value for your investment
• Manufacturer warranties remain fully valid
• Your home maintains its structural integrity
• Your family stays protected for decades to come

Conclusion: Your Home Deserves Better Than an Overlay

While some roofing companies continue to offer overlays as a “budget option,” we believe Pennsylvania homeowners deserve better. Our commitment to quality means offering only the solution we would want for our own families—a proper, full roof replacement that addresses all issues and provides decades of protection.

At Heritage Roofing Systems, we’re committed to helping Central Pennsylvania homeowners understand all their options. Our no-pressure consultation process focuses on education first, allowing you to make the best decision for your home and budget—even if that means being transparent about why we don’t offer certain services that could compromise your home’s integrity.

Heritage Roofing Systems has been serving Central Pennsylvania homeowners since 2009 with honest advice, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional roofing solutions. We’re here to help you make the best decision for your home, with an unwavering commitment to quality that sometimes means saying “no” to shortcuts.