If you're deciding whether to replace your roof or siding first, the roof should usually come first. A roof replacement involves tearing off old materials, moving debris, working around flashing, and sometimes removing or adjusting gutters. Doing that work before installing new siding reduces the chance of damaging a brand-new exterior and gives roofers better access to areas where the roof and walls meet. There are exceptions, particularly when siding has serious rot, storm damage, or an active leak.
A roof replacement involves much more activity around the house than many homeowners expect. Crews remove old shingles, carry materials up and down ladders, work along roof edges, and move debris from the roof to a dumpster or trailer.
Even when the property is carefully protected, that is a lot of work happening directly above your siding.
If you're already planning both projects, installing the siding first means the roofing crew has to work around a finished surface you just paid to replace. Completing the roof first eliminates much of that concern.
There is also a practical reason for starting at the top. Your roof and siding meet in several places, and those connections need to keep water from getting behind the exterior. If both are showing their age, it helps to understand what goes into a roof replacement and siding installation before scheduling either project.
Flashing directs water away from joints and other vulnerable spots. It is especially important where the roof meets a vertical wall, such as around dormers, additions, and changes in the roofline.
Some flashing extends behind the siding. If it needs to be replaced during a roofing job, contractors may need access to those areas.
That can become frustrating if the siding was installed only a few months earlier. Sections of new material may have to be loosened or removed simply so the roofer can reach the flashing.
Handling the roof first allows the necessary flashing work to be completed before new siding covers those areas.
Installing siding before the roof does not guarantee there will be a problem. A roofing crew can take precautions to protect existing siding, windows, landscaping, and other parts of the property.
Still, brand-new siding becomes one more finished surface that has to be protected.
Potential issues include:
The condition of your existing siding matters too. Vinyl siding, for example, does not automatically need replacement simply because you're getting a new roof. If you're unsure whether replacement can wait, consider the typical lifespan of vinyl siding along with what you can actually see around your home.
Sometimes the siding cannot wait.
Faded siding or a color you no longer like is mostly an appearance issue. Large holes, rot, loose sections, and water getting behind the siding are different. Those problems can leave the materials underneath exposed.
Siding may need immediate attention if you have:
You also do not have to choose between replacing every piece of siding and doing nothing. If one section is letting water into the wall but a roof replacement is coming soon, a siding repair may address the damaged area without changing the order of your larger renovation.
An active leak changes the priority.
If rain is coming through the roof, the roof needs attention. If damaged siding is allowing water into an exterior wall, that problem should be addressed. Preventing more water damage is more important than sticking to a particular renovation schedule.
Watch for:
A wet interior wall does not always mean the siding is responsible. Water can enter through roofing or flashing and travel before it becomes visible inside the house. If you aren't sure about the condition of the roof, a roof inspection can help identify damaged shingles, flashing problems, and other issues before you commit to a larger exterior project.
If both are worn out, it may make sense to plan the work as one larger exterior renovation while still completing each portion in the right order.
That does not mean roofing and siding crews need to work at the same time. The roof can be completed first, including necessary flashing work. Siding can follow after the roofing project is finished.
Planning ahead also gives you a chance to think about details that are easy to overlook when projects happen years apart, including:
If you're considering more than roofing and siding, looking at the cost of remodeling a home's exterior can help you decide which improvements make sense to tackle together.
A worn roof does not mean good siding needs to come off.
The reverse is also true. If your siding is deteriorating but your roof is relatively new and in good condition, you may be able to move forward with siding replacement without touching the roof.
The condition of the materials should drive the decision.
This is particularly important for homeowners trying to spread exterior projects across several years. Replacing something simply because another project is underway can add thousands of dollars to the bill without providing much benefit.
Gutters usually come toward the end.
Roofing work takes place directly around gutter lines, fascia, and roof edges. Depending on the job, existing gutters may need to be removed or adjusted. Installing new gutters immediately before a roof replacement can create unnecessary work.
If you're replacing all three, it usually makes more sense to plan a gutter installation after the major roof work has been completed.
For a larger exterior renovation, the order may look something like this:
Your home may require a slightly different sequence. Damaged fascia, for example, could need to be replaced while the roof is being completed rather than afterward.
Fascia and soffits can easily get overlooked when homeowners are focused on shingles and siding.
Fascia runs along the edge of the roof and provides an attachment point for gutters. Soffits cover the underside of the roof overhang. Damage in these areas can become apparent once roofing or gutters are removed.
If you're unfamiliar with how these pieces fit together, learning what fascia is on a house can help explain why roofing, siding, and gutter projects sometimes overlap.
Any rotted or damaged materials should be dealt with before everything is covered with new finishes.
If your budget only allows for one project right now, focus on which problem could cause more damage if you wait.
A roof may deserve priority if you are dealing with:
Age matters, but it should not be the only reason for replacing a roof. Two roofs installed in the same year can be in very different condition based on materials, weather exposure, ventilation, installation quality, and maintenance.
If you're seeing several problems at once, the signs that it is time to replace a roof can help you distinguish between an aging roof and one that may need more immediate attention.
Look beyond fading or an outdated color.
Cracked, warped, loose, or rotting siding deserves more attention, particularly when damage is widespread or moisture is getting behind it. Open areas around windows and doors can also expose the wall underneath.
If replacement is necessary, homeowners may also wonder whether the existing siding has to come off. That depends on the material and condition underneath, so it is worth understanding whether old siding should be removed before new siding is installed.
Small areas of damage may be repairable, while problems across several walls can point toward replacement.
New shingles and siding only cover the exterior. What is underneath matters just as much.
Removing an old roof can reveal damaged decking that was not visible beforehand. Roof decking sits underneath the roofing materials and gives them a solid surface to attach to. If portions have rotted from previous leaks, repairs may be necessary before the new roof goes on.
Siding removal can uncover its own surprises, including damaged sheathing, rot, and signs of old leaks.
These discoveries do not necessarily mean the project has gone wrong. Some damage simply cannot be seen until the old materials are removed.
Building some room into the project budget for possible repairs can make those discoveries easier to handle.
When a house needs several exterior updates, it is easy to think of the roof, siding, gutters, fascia, and soffits as separate projects. In reality, they meet in too many places to ignore one another.
If you already know you're replacing both the roof and siding, decide on the order before work begins. For most homes, completing the roof first and siding second makes the most sense. It keeps new siding away from the messiest part of the project and allows roof flashing and related repairs to be completed first.
If one area has an active leak or serious damage, however, deal with that problem before worrying about the ideal order.
If your home needs roofing, siding, or both, FOREVER Exteriors can help you determine which work needs attention first and plan the projects in an order that makes sense for your home. Contact FOREVER Exteriors today to schedule an evaluation and start planning your exterior updates.
