When your roof starts leaking, how do you know whether you should repair the leak or replace your entire roof? Weighing the options between a roof repair vs. roof replacement is an important decision that can impact more than just your wallet. Let’s compare the reasons behind when you should choose one over the other.

How to Decide Between Roof Repair or Replacement

Beyond just your budget, deciding between a roof repair or replacement depends on a variety of factors. These other deciding factors can include the age of your roof, how long you plan to stay in your home, and the extent of the damage.

Reasons to Repair Your Roof

Choosing to repair instead of replace your roof can save you time and money, but is it the right choice?

If you have minor damage to your roof from a storm, an isolated repair might be the better option for you. If you just have a few shingles that are missing, torn, or have minor damage, repairing your roof could be a great option for you that makes the most sense for your budget and the roof itself.

If You Decide to Repair Your Roof, Make Sure Your Shingles Match

One of the main things to consider after you’ve decided to repair your roof is to make sure that the new replacement shingles match the existing shingles on your roof. If they’re not going to closely match, the replacement shingles could potentially stick out and be very noticeable.

Other times, even though you’ve found matching shingles, they still might not match the existing shingles on your roof. The shingles that are currently on your home have been weathered and faded from the sun, which often means they no longer match with what a brand new shingle would look like.

If you’re planning to repair your roof and are having a hard time finding matching shingles, you may consider talking to an expert supplier like Zeeland Lumber & Supply. With a range of material options from top brand names, we’re here to help you find a match for your existing roof.

Reasons to Replace Your Roof

Replacing your roof can be a costly undertaking compared to repairing a small section of it, however it can save you money in the long run by preventing further damages or the need for multiple repairs.

If the damaged area of your roof is extensive, if your roof is older, and if you plan on living in your home for the long haul, replacing your roof could be the best choice for you. In addition to providing peace of mind as it protects your possessions from additional damage, a new roof will also improve the curb appeal and value of your home.

Whether you’re looking for wood shakes or shingles, we’ve got you covered. Zeeland Lumber & Supply proudly carries a wide selection of durable roofing products from top manufacturers like CertainTeed, GAF, and Quality Edge.

Repair vs. Replace Roof: 4 Things to Consider

Let’s discuss four specific items to consider when debating whether to repair vs. replace your roof.

How Old is Your Roof?

Knowing the age of your roof is a great place to start when deciding whether to undertake a roof repair or replacement. After you know when your current roof was installed, you can make a better decision about repairing or replacing your roof.

If your roof is older, it might be a better idea to replace it completely instead of continually repairing damaged sections. If your roof is newer, you might be able to get away with simply repairing the damage if the rest of the roof is still in great condition.

What’s Your Budget?

The cost of replacing your entire roof is one of the largest maintenance expenses of homeownership.

While roofing repairs are less expensive in the short term, if you have to continually make repairs to your roof, they might end up costing you more in the long run. Replacing your entire roof is a large expense upfront, but you’ll reap the benefits of a reliable roof for many years to come and eliminate the need to continually pay for repairs.

How Long Will You Stay in Your Home?

If you’re in what you think is your forever home, replacing a damaged roof completely might be a better option than repairing it since you will be the one benefiting from it.

If you’re looking to move within the next three to five years, repairing the damage might be the better option for you. However, fully replacing the roof can increase home values, so it depends on how bad the damage is and if it’s needed in order to effectively sell the home.

What’s the Extent of the Damage?

Determining the extent of your roof’s damage is an important factor when deciding whether to replace or repair it. Understanding whether the damage is surface-level or structural is a great place to start.

  • Aesthetic damage can include things like moss and worn-looking tiles.
  • Structural damage can include cracked tiles, bald spots, curled shingles, and more.

Understanding the extent of the damage can help you decide whether you need to replace your roof or simply repair it. Even if the damage is only surface-level, you can still decide whether or not to replace the entire roof for aesthetic reasons. No matter what you decide, knowing the extent of the damage will help you make an informed decision.

Roof Repair and Replacement at Zeeland Lumber & Supply

Whether you want to replace your roof or just repair a small section of it, we can help. At Zeeland Lumber & Supply, we have a great selection of roofing products from top-name brands in the industry. Contact us for more info or stop in at our Standard Zeeland Roofing & Siding showroom in Grand Rapids.

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