MRA Advocates for Smarter Re-Roofing Strategies to Reduce Landfill Waste – Constructionmagnet.com

In the U.S. and Canada, homeowners are gearing up for spring and summer exterior home improvements, including re-roofing projects.

This is also a time when a massive amount of waste is created, due to the removal and disposal of old asphalt roof shingles. As the most common type of roofing material, approximately 11 million tons of worn-out asphalt shingle roofing waste is dumped into landfills every year, representing a whopping 8% of the total building-related waste stream in the U.S.

To reduce the environmental impact and save on re-roofing labor costs, experts say, the fact is, an old asphalt roof doesnt necessarily have to be removed in order to install a new roof. Thanks to its lighter weight, metal is one of the only roofing materials that can be installed directly over asphalt. The benefits of doing so not only include preventing waste, but also the savings from reduced labor and tear-off costs and increased long-term energy efficiency.

According to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the leading nonprofit trade organization representing the industry, its the lower weight and greater resiliency of metal roofing material (50 lbs. per 100 square feet for aluminum and 80 to 100 lbs. for steel, as compared to nearly 275 to 425 lbs. per 100 square feet for asphalt) that makes it suitable for installing over asphalt without adding too much weight for a homes structure. It also increases insulation properties, resulting in energy savings.Every year, we receive questions from homeowners who are rightly concerned about all the waste and mess that comes from removing their old asphalt roofs, asking if they can install longer lasting metal over their existing roofs to help reduce waste and avoid having to re-roof again in the future, said Renee Ramey, MRA Executive Director. In many cases, the answer is yes, and there are plenty of great reasons for doing so.

Warranties offered on quality metal roofing systems installed over asphalt shingles are not typically impacted as long as the roof is properly installed, which is not the case when it comes to installing a second layer of asphalt over an old shingle roof. Thats because heat gain can impact the integrity of asphalt shingles and cause the new second layer of roofing to deteriorate much faster, while high temperatures will not impact quality metal roofing systems or finishes.

Other considerations for installing a new metal roof over asphalt include:Layer limits: Most building codes allow for only two layers of roofing. Metal can typically be installed directly over a single-layer asphalt roof, but tear-off may be necessary for roofs that have more layers.Structure soundness: If the old asphalt roof has severe damage, deteriorating decking, or buckling, complete removal may be unavoidable before a new roof can be installed.Underlayment essentials: The proper underlayment should always be used when installing a new metal roof, including over an old asphalt roof. Use the recommended underlayment in accordance with the manufacturers instructions to help protect the new metal roof.Pro perspective: Homeowners need to know that working with an experienced, qualified installer insures that quality materials and proper installation methods are used. This is a prime reason for roofers to become members of organizations and trade groups that advocate for industry quality standards.Above and beyond benefits: Because quality metal roofs last much longer, are more durable and energy efficient, and can be 100% recycled at the end of their long lives, the sustainability and savings benefits are multiplied by installing directly over an old asphalt roof. By saving on removal and tear-off, homeowners can also increase their value by applying that savings to upgrading their roof quality to ensure long-term reliability and performance, low-maintenance, and increased protection.

For a homeowner, leaving their old shingles in place can actually make the home more energy efficient and resilient, said Todd Miller, president of Isaiah Industries, an MRA member and well-known industry expert. But perhaps more importantly, it means they can use the money they save on old roof removal and disposal to invest in an upgraded metal roof for their home. Sometimes, those savings allow them to buy the better roof they really want.

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MRA Advocates for Smarter Re-Roofing Strategies to Reduce Landfill Waste - Constructionmagnet.com