Homeowners will often wonder, “Can you replace only one section of a roof?” While there are times when only a partial roof replacement is possible, deciding whether replacing only one section of a roof is the best decision isn’t always so clear-cut.
The age of the roof, the extent of the damage, the roofing materials, and overall roofing system conditions play a role in this determination.
A partial roof replacement may seem like the least expensive option. However, it isn’t always the wisest financial decision for your home. Read on to learn when it makes sense to replace only part of your roof. Or when it’s a better idea to replace your entire roof.
Can You Replace Just One Area of a Roof?
Yes. There are many reasons a roofing contractor can replace one area of a roof instead of performing an entire roof replacement.
Replacing one section of roofing is usually done when a portion of the roof is damaged due to an isolated incident. The rest of the roofing system is still in good condition and doesn’t require replacement.
Some common examples would be tree damage from a fallen branch, storm damage, or damage caused by a significant wind event. These situations can leave one area of roofing damaged while the rest of the roof remains intact.
The damaged area is key here. If the damage is only to that one area and hasn’t spread to other roofing areas, a partial replacement can be an option.
What Situations Make a Partial Roof Replacement Possible?
If your roof is fairly new and the damage to your roof is isolated to one area, your roofing contractor may be able to replace just that section of your roof.
Other situations when replacing just one section of your roof may be possible include:
- Wind damage that is confined to one area of the roof
- Tree branch or other impact damage
- Water intrusion that is limited to one area
- Small, isolated areas of fire damage
- Roofing defects that occurred during installation
- Roof ventilation issues that have caused isolated areas of deterioration
Providing the undamaged areas of your roof are still structurally sound and have plenty of years left, your contractor may be able to get away with just replacing that one section.
Does the Age of the Roof Matter?
Yes! How old your roof is will play a significant factor when it comes to replacing just one area.
Roofs that are in the 5-10 year range may be a good candidate for a partial replacement. Not only will the existing shingles be fine to leave on, but it should be relatively easy to match the shingles.
If your roof is getting up there in age, it may not be worth replacing one section. You wouldn’t want to invest money into your old roof, just to have to completely replace it next year because it got too old.
A roofing inspection will help determine if the rest of your roof is still in good shape.
Can New Roofing Materials Be Matched to Existing Materials?
Whether you are building a roof addition or replacing one section of your roof, matching new roofing materials to old ones can be difficult.
Just because the shingles your roof currently has aren’t ruined doesn’t mean you’ll be able to find an exact match. Over time, roofing materials can fade or change appearance due to sun exposure.
Some variables that can impact your roofing material match include:
- Color variation from fading
- Manufacturer changes over the years
- Discontinued shingles or styles
- Differences in texture
- Granule appearance
Speak with your roofing contractor about your concerns if you don’t want to deal with a patchwork roof.
Are There Risks Associated With Partial Roof Replacement?
As with most home repairs, there can be complications when replacing a roof. When you choose to replace just one area of your roof, there are some additional concerns to consider.
An issue that may not be visible to the naked eye could be causing damage to surrounding roofing materials. Someone looking at your roof from the ground may not be able to see all of the damage.
Also, cutting a new section of shingles onto existing shingles can cause issues down the road. Improperly installed seams like these can lead to leaks.
These are just a couple of reasons it’s important to have your roof inspected before and after any repair.
How Do Roof Leaks Affect the Decision?
This leads us into a discussion of roof leaks. Many homeowners will notice a leak and assume they need to replace that particular section of their roof.
However, just because you may see a leak in your attic during rainstorms doesn’t mean that’s where the problem is originating from. Roof leaks can travel from one area to another.
It may be more cost-effective to replace one area of your roof. But if your roof has several leak issues, you may need to look into a full roof replacement.
A professional roofing contractor can help you determine where the leak is actually coming from and what your best options are.
Will Insurance Pay for a Partial Roof Replacement?
Depending on what caused the damage to your roof, your insurance company may cover the cost of a partial roof replacement.
Some things that can affect whether your insurance will pay for a new roof:
- Cause of the damage
- Age of your roof
- What your policy states
- State you live in
- Material match requirement
If your insurance company determines that you need a new roof, they will often just pay for the damaged areas. There are some instances where they will pay for your entire roof.
Contact your insurance company and your roofing contractor if you need your roof replaced to see what they suggest.
When Should You Go With a Full Roof Replacement?
Of course, there will be times when replacing a section of your roof isn’t the best solution. Here are a few scenarios when you may want to consider replacing your entire roof.
- Your roof is getting up there in age
- You have multiple areas of damage
- You can’t find matching materials
- There could be structural damage
- You’ve had to repair your roof multiple times
- You want to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home
Keep in mind that just because you spend more money on a new roof doesn’t mean you shouldn’t replace one section. Spending the money to replace your entire roof can end up saving you money.
Not only will you avoid the costs of future repairs, but you may also lower your utility bills by increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
How Can a Professional Roof Inspection Help?
Your roofing contractor can help you determine whether you need to replace your entire roof or just one section. A professional roof inspection can reveal any potential problem areas on your roof.
Inspections can tell you:
- How much damage your roof sustained
- How much life your roof has left
- Hidden damage that may be lurking
- Repair vs. replace options
- What will be most cost-effective for you in the long run
Don’t go into this decision blindly. There are professionals you can hire to give you an opinion based on years of experience and knowledge.
Contact Atlas Roofing Today
As you can see, “Can you replace only one section of a roof?” Sometimes, but other times it isn’t the best decision. If you’re still not sure whether you should replace your roof, call us today and we’ll walk you through your options and help you decide what to do.
Atlas Roofing and Siding has served Maryland homeowners like you for decades. We offer free inspections and estimates, so there’s no reason not to call!
Contact us today to speak with a member of our team. We’ll help you decide whether to replace your roof or just one section of it.
