Roofing tool
Can I Put a Metal Roof Over My Existing Shingles?
Answer four quick questions about your roof and get an honest answer right now. You do not have to give us your name, phone, or email to see the result — if you want us to look at it after, just give us a call.
Can I Put a Metal Roof Over My Existing Shingles?
Four quick questions. You'll get an honest answer immediately — no name, phone, or email required to see your result.
Question 1 of 4
How many layers of shingles are on the roof now?
The decision rules behind this tool, in plain text
This page ranks on its own, so here are the rules we use, written out so they are readable whether you use the tool above or not.
One layer of sound shingles
If there is one layer of shingles, the deck underneath is solid, there are no active leaks inside, and the roof has a real pitch, going over the shingles is the normal case and the most common job we do. There is no tear-off, less mess, and less cost.
Two or more layers
Two or more layers of roofing almost always has to come off before the metal goes on. The reasons are weight — a second layer plus a new metal roof is a lot of dead load on rafters that were not designed for it; fastener purchase — the new fasteners have to bite into solid deck, and driving them through two layers leaves them holding in soft material; and hidden deck damage — leaks through two layers can rot the deck underneath without showing on top.
A soft or unknown deck
If the deck is soft when you walk it, or you simply don't know its condition, we will not give a remote answer. A soft deck means rot, and rot has to be fixed before any new roof goes on. The only way to know is to get up there and look.
Active leaks inside
A spot or two that you can see is one thing. Several water stains on the ceilings inside point at possible deck damage that we need to see before we tell you to go over the shingles.
Pitch
A nearly flat roof is not a good candidate for going over shingles. Standing seam handles lower pitches than exposed-fastener metal, but there is a floor. On a very low pitch we would talk with you about the right approach rather than just laying panels on top.
Permits
Local building rules vary, and some towns in the area require a permit for a reroof while unincorporated county areas generally do not. We will tell you which applies to your address when we look at the roof.
Want a straight answer about your roof?
The fastest way is to have us come look at it. Call (660) 341-4823 and we'll tell you, in plain language, whether going over your shingles is the right call or whether the old roof needs to come off.