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You shouldn’t put a new roof underlayment over an old one for a few reasons. Old felt must be removed in order to assess the condition of your roof decking, such as rotting wood or other structural issues. Also, if your roofer doesn't install a fresh layer of felt as is required by shingle manufacturers, your warranty may be voided. Finally, old underlayment removal is often included in the cost of roof repair or replacement, so there's no real benefit to leaving it on before installing a new layer.

The most crucial roof-strengthening method is achievable by following proper construction methods and guidelines from the start. To strengthen an existing roof, framers and DIYers can add hurricane ties or straps to the structure, sister rafters and other framing or truss members, or install additional fasteners or adhesives where necessary.

Though cedar shakes often get confused with shingles, there are a few key differences between wood shakes and wood shingles. For one, cedar shingle prices are lower, although shingles are less durable than wood shakes. Cedar shakes are thicker than shingles (shingles range from about 3/8 to 1/2 inches thick, compared to 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick for shakes). Wood shakes are handmade, while shingles are usually machine-made. Also, wood shakes work better on steeper roofs than shingles do. While the cost of cedar shingles is more budget-friendly, there are many great reasons to choose shakes.

Whether you should choose a flat roof or a sloped roof depends on your particular situation. Flat roofs tend to be less expensive to install. However, sloped roofs have longer lifespans and stand up better to heavy snow and other inclement weather.

Keep in mind that even a flat roof needs to have a slight slope, usually around 1/2 inch for every foot. If it is completely flat, water will pool and cause damage, either from weight or leakage or rot.