Two roofing jobs - which is best?

[tom]

Dave wrote: snip- 1. Remove one layer of shingles, replace drip edge, reshingle.

1. Remove everything down to the sheathing. Completely cover old sheathing (it's in good shape) with 3/4" OSB. Put down ice barrier, tar paper, drip edge, and shingle. Which job would you want on your house? PS - neither house is mine, they're neighbors. Also, job #1 is 0.00 more.

Weird. I'll take door number 2, Dave, except I'd specify 1/2 inch substrate. Over the scab boards, it'd be plenty. Ice barrier would extend 3+ feet beyond the inside wall, and over the drip edge. I could even live without the felt, if the weather during the work would allow. Tom

[tom]

Joseph wrote:If the original sheathing is in good shape, why cover it up????

The original "sheathing" for shakes is most likely 1x whatever spaced about 10 inches on center. It won't provide the support needed by today's composite shingles, but will do perfectly well for the new ply. You just have to break the long edges on the boards. Tom

[David Starr]

Two houses in my neighborhood are being reroofed by different contractors using different methods. Both houses built in the early 20's, with cedar shakes over

1X sheathing. Both have 2 layers of shingles over the original shakes. Both houses are approximately the same size, within 100 sq. ft.

1. Remove one layer of shingles, replace drip edge, reshingle.

2. Remove everything down to the sheathing. Completely cover old sheathing (it's in good shape) with 3/4" OSB. Put down ice barrier, tar paper, drip edge, and shingle.

Which job would you want on your house?

PS - neither house is mine, they're neighbors. Also, job #1 is $800.00 more.

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[Tony Hwang]

[Tony Hwang]

No. 2 for sure. 3/4" OSB may be over kill. How about 1/2" since old sheathing is good shape. Can't understanbd No. 1 costs more. Tony

[Joseph Meehan]

[Sacramento Dave]

I would go tell the guy at Job # 1 to go see the guy at Job #2. Something is wrong or being missed or #1 has a hell salesman.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I'd have not even considered option #1. I hope the homeowner has a large jar of Vaseline as part of the contract.

[Terry]

I believe you normally don't put asphalt shingles down over old sheathing, because of the large gaps between the original boards. You must put down something to nail the asphalt shingles to, which will not be spaced the same as the original cedar shakes. Even if they were spaced the same, the shingles aren't as stiff as shakes, and you wouldn't want to step on a shingle over a gap between sheathing. But of course this depends on how old the house is and how the sheathing was installed.

I agree that # 2 is a better job. Also consider increasing ventilation in the attic, particularly if you are putting down OSB over the original sheathing (the original sheathing and cedar shakes provided some air flow "through" the roof). Ventilation is also important if you have added insulation to the exterior walls of the house, or might do so in the future. I assume you're in a snow climate, if they're putting down ice barrier, so ventilation is important.

As for the cost difference -- are the roofs the same size? The same height off the ground? The same weight and type of shingles? There is lots that goes into the cost of a roofing job.

Terry

[Joseph Meehan]

OK I can't read. I missed the "shakes" reference. You and Terry are right.

[Vic Dura]

This is the better solution, except you don't need to cover old sheathing unless it is damaged or rotten. In that case, replace (don't cover) the areas of damage.

[David Starr]

Nope. I liked #2, but I wanted the group's opinions.

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[Michael Nickolas]

I'd skip the asphalt and install new cedar shakes.

[Duane Bozarth]

If (as I gather) he's putting asphalt shingles over old open-decking replacing an original shingle roof, they've either got to fill in the gaps between decking boards or overlay it to get a solid substrate. Normally, roofers will choose to overlay rather than fill in because it's quicker for them...

[Duane Bozarth]

As others, I wouldn't even consider #1 and personally unless there were a major difference in insurance rates in your locality would go back to the cedar instead of asphalt...

[Lawrence Wasserman]

Is this a trick question?