Cost & replacement
Roof Repair vs. Replacement: How to Decide
Updated · Sabine Crest editorial
Short answerRepair when damage is limited and the roof has several good years left. Replace when the roof is near the end of its life (about 18–25 years for architectural shingles here), leaks keep appearing in different places, or damage covers large areas.
Repair makes sense when
- Damage is on one slope or a few spots
- The roof is under about 15 years old
- Decking is sound
- Matching shingles are available
Replacement makes sense when
- Shingles are curling, cracking or losing granules everywhere
- Leaks recur in new places
- Decking is soft in several areas
- Your insurer requires it or storm damage is widespread
Money math
Several repairs in a few years can add up to a large share of a new roof. Get both options priced in writing. See roof repair and roof replacement.
Questions to ask the roofer
- How old is the roof and how much life is left?
- Is the damage isolated or spread across several slopes?
- Is the decking sound?
- Will a repair match the existing shingles?
- Does a repair affect my manufacturer or windstorm warranty?
Roof Repair vs. Replacement: How to Decide: follow-up questions
Is it worth repairing a 15-year-old roof?
It depends on the damage. A small, isolated repair often makes sense; widespread storm damage on an aging roof usually favors replacement.
Can I replace just one side of the roof?
Sometimes, but matching is difficult and some insurers or warranties require full slopes or the whole roof.
Every home differs; editorial standards.