Can I Install a Metal Roof Over My Existing Shingle Roof?

In many cases, yes - a metal roof can be installed directly over your existing asphalt shingle roof. This approach can save time and money by eliminating the need for a full tear-off. However, it’s not always the right choice, and a professional evaluation is essential before proceeding.

Benefits of Installing Metal Over Shingles

Cost Savings Skipping the tear-off process saves on labor and disposal costs. For Cedar City homeowners looking to upgrade to metal roofing while managing their budget, this can be a significant advantage.

Faster Installation Without the tear-off step, the installation timeline is shortened, meaning less disruption to your daily routine.

Added Insulation The existing shingle layer can provide a small amount of additional insulation and sound dampening beneath the new metal roof.

Less Waste Avoiding tear-off means fewer materials heading to the landfill, making this a more environmentally friendly option.

When It’s NOT Recommended

There are important situations where installing metal over shingles is not advisable:

Existing Roof Damage If the current shingles show signs of water damage, rot, or mold in the decking underneath, those issues need to be addressed before any new roofing goes on. Covering up problems only makes them worse.

Multiple Existing Layers Building codes in Cedar City typically limit the number of roofing layers. If you already have two layers of shingles, adding a third layer of metal may not be permitted.

Structural Concerns While metal roofing is lightweight compared to tile, adding it on top of existing shingles increases the total weight on your roof structure. Your home’s framing must be adequate to handle the combined load.

Uneven Surface If your existing shingles are badly warped, buckled, or uneven, the metal panels won’t lay flat and may not perform or look their best.

HAVN Construction’s Recommendation

We always inspect the existing roof thoroughly before recommending an overlay. We’ll check the condition of the shingles, decking, and structure to determine if installing metal over your existing roof is a sound decision for your Cedar City home.

Considering a metal roof upgrade? Call HAVN Construction at (435) 572-2866 for an honest evaluation.