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While you technically can add a roof over shakes or shingles, it’s not a good idea. Roofing over existing roofing creates a moisture barrier underneath the new roof and since the trapped material is wood, you can expect a moisture problem. While you could get away with installing a new roof over asphalt or steel, wooden roofs should be removed, new underlayment installed, and the new roof installed over that. Also, the extra weight would add strain to your roof structure.

Asphalt roofs provide better insulation than metal roofs, but that doesn’t always mean that asphalt roofs are better for reducing heating and cooling bills. In hotter climates, metal roofs will usually be better for home efficiency because the material reflects more sunlight and reduces solar heat gain. In colder climates, asphalt roofs are sometimes superior in terms of efficiency because they introduce more solar heat gain to your home and have greater insulating capabilities. However, metal roofs installed with an air gap can provide similar levels of insulation.

The number of roof vents necessary for a 2,000-square-foot house depends on several factors. The calculation depends on the net free area within the attic and whether your municipality requires a 1/150 or a 1/300 ratio of venting square feet to attic square feet. If you install vents with a square-foot opening of one, you'll need either 14 or seven exhaust vents and an equal square-foot amount of intake vents.

A roof's lifespan can range from 15 to 200 years, with an average of 25 to 50 years, depending heavily on the material, quality of installation, maintenance, and local climate. Asphalt shingle roofs are common and typically last 15 to 30 years; three-tab shingles have a lifespan of about 20 years, while architectural shingles can last up to 30. More durable materials have longer lifespans: metal roofs last 30 to 100 years, clay and concrete can last 50 to 100 years, and slate roofs can last up to 200 years with proper care. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning gutters and replacing damaged shingles, is crucial for extending the life of any roof.