A brand-new house needs a roof. An existing house eventually needs a new roof. From the outside, those two projects may look pretty similar—materials arrive, a roofing crew gets to work, and the finished home has new shingles.

But roofing a new construction home and replacing an existing roof are actually two different projects.

New construction roofing starts with a newly built structure and has to coordinate with everything else happening on the job site. A roof replacement starts with an existing roofing system that first has to be removed and evaluated before the new system can be installed.

At Barringer Brothers Roofing, we’ve served homeowners and builders throughout Troy, IL and the Metro East since 2004, earning 200+ five-star reviews. We handle both roof replacements and new construction roofing using CertainTeed asphalt shingles, so here’s what actually changes between the two.

New Construction Roofing Starts From Scratch

The biggest difference is what exists when the roofing crew arrives.

On a new construction home, there isn’t an old roofing system to deal with. The home’s framing and roof structure have just been built, and roof decking is installed to create the surface for the roofing system.

That means the contractor is installing the home’s first roof.

With a roof replacement, there’s already an entire roofing system in place. Before the new roof can be installed, the existing materials typically have to come off.

That creates a very different starting point.

A Roof Replacement Begins With Tear-Off

For an existing home, one of the major stages of roof replacement is removing the old roofing materials.

This gives the roofing crew access to what’s underneath.

Once the old roof is removed, the decking can be evaluated before the new roofing system is installed. If damaged or deteriorated areas are discovered, they may need to be addressed before work continues.

With new construction, you aren’t uncovering decades of roof history. The structure and decking have recently been built as part of the home itself.

That doesn’t make installation quality any less important—it simply changes what the roofer is starting with.

New Construction Roofing Is Part of a Much Bigger Schedule

When you’re replacing the roof on your current house, the roof is the project.

When you’re building a house, the roof is one part of a much larger project.

Framers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, siding installers, concrete crews, painters, and numerous other trades may all be involved in building the home.

The roofing contractor has to fit into that construction schedule.

The roof structure and decking need to be ready before the roofing system can be installed, and getting the roof completed helps move the house toward being protected from the weather while other work continues.

That’s why communication between the builder and roofing contractor is particularly important on a new construction project.

The Home Isn’t Occupied Yet

This is another major difference homeowners don’t always think about.

During a roof replacement, you’re often still living in the house.

That means homeowners have to prepare for things like noise, vehicles and equipment around the property, materials being delivered, and crews working overhead.

Pets may need special consideration. Vehicles may need to be moved. Items inside the home can sometimes need to be secured because of vibration.

None of that applies in quite the same way to a new construction home.

There are still people and other trades working around the property, but there isn’t a family trying to watch TV underneath the roof while it’s being installed.

New Construction Gives You a Different Opportunity to Plan the Exterior

When replacing the roof on an existing house, you’re usually working with exterior features that are already there.

Your new shingle color needs to work with those existing elements.

With new construction, many of those decisions are being made around the same time.

You may be choosing:

• Shingle color
• Siding color and style
• Brick or stone
• Trim
• Gutters
• Garage doors
• Exterior doors

That gives homeowners and builders an opportunity to consider the exterior as a complete design.

Instead of asking, “Which roof works with my existing house?”, you’re asking, “How do all of these materials work together on the house we’re building?”

Does a New Construction Roof Still Need a Complete Roofing System?

Absolutely.

A new construction roof isn’t simply a matter of attaching shingles to new wood.

The finished roofing system involves multiple components that work together to protect the home. The exact system depends on the roof and project, but shingles are only the visible portion of what’s being installed.

Underlayment, flashing, starter materials, ventilation components, hip and ridge materials, and other details can all play a role in the finished roof.

At Barringer Brothers Roofing, we install CertainTeed asphalt shingles for both new construction and replacement roofing projects.

Roof Replacement Can Come With More Unknowns

One advantage of working on a brand-new structure is that there isn’t an old roof hiding underneath.

With an existing house, contractors can’t necessarily see every condition beneath the shingles before tear-off begins.

Once the existing roofing materials are removed, there may be areas of the roof deck that need attention before the new roof can be installed.

That’s one reason an estimate and an actual roofing project aren’t always identical situations. A contractor can evaluate the visible roof beforehand, but some conditions only become apparent once the existing materials are removed.

New construction generally doesn’t have those same age-related unknowns because you’re working with a newly built structure.

Is New Construction Roofing Faster Than Roof Replacement?

Not necessarily in the way you might expect.

Eliminating an old-roof tear-off removes one stage of the roofing process, but new construction has its own scheduling considerations.

The roofing contractor may be waiting for framing or decking to reach the appropriate stage. Weather can affect the schedule. Other trades may be working on or around the house. Materials and construction sequencing also have to be coordinated with the builder.

So while the roofing work itself is different, that doesn’t automatically mean the entire new construction process moves faster.

It’s part of a much larger schedule.

Is Roof Replacement More Difficult?

Neither project should automatically be considered “easy” or “hard.”

They’re simply different.

A replacement requires crews to work with an existing structure, remove old materials, evaluate what they uncover, protect an occupied property, and install the new system.

New construction requires crews to coordinate with the builder and other trades while installing a brand-new roofing system as the house itself is being built.

Both require attention to the details that will eventually be hidden underneath the finished shingles.

What About Roofing Materials?

The fact that a home is new doesn’t mean it needs a completely different type of shingle than an existing home.

Asphalt shingles are commonly used for both new construction and replacement roofing.

The specific product, color, style, and roofing system should be selected based on the home and project rather than simply whether the house is new or existing.

Barringer Brothers Roofing installs CertainTeed asphalt shingles on both types of projects throughout Troy and the surrounding Metro East.

Who Hires the Roofer on a New Construction Home?

That depends on how the home is being built.

On many new construction projects, the builder coordinates the subcontractors responsible for different parts of the house, including roofing and siding.

Other projects may give the homeowner more direct involvement in contractor or material selections.

If you’re building a home, it’s worth asking your builder who will be installing the roof, what roofing products are included, what warranty information you’ll receive, and whether you have options for different shingles or colors.

Your roof will be protecting the house long after construction ends, so it’s reasonable to know what’s being installed.

What Do New Construction Roofing and Roof Replacement Have in Common?

Despite all these differences, the finished goal is essentially the same:

A properly installed roofing system that protects the home.

Whether the house was framed last month or has been standing for 30 years, the quality of the materials and installation still matter.

Both projects require proper planning and the correct materials for the home. And both should leave the homeowner with a clear understanding of what’s been installed.

The biggest difference is everything that happens before those new shingles become the finished roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Construction Roofing in Troy, IL

Whether you’re building a brand-new home or replacing the roof on your current one, the project deserves more than simply choosing a bundle of shingles.

Barringer Brothers Roofing has served Troy and communities throughout the Metro East since 2004, providing roofing services for homeowners and builders.

Building a new home in Troy or think your existing home may need a new roof?

Call Barringer Brothers Roofing at (618) 703-3036 or fill out our online contact form for more information about your roofing options or to request an estimate.