Should I replace missing shingles or the whole roof?

Replace only the missing shingles when the rest of the roof is sound. Replace the whole roof when the shingles are old and failing, or when damage is widespread. The U.S. Forest Service's roofing guide says to repair missing or torn shingles as soon as possible, and says a deteriorating roof should be replaced as soon as possible.^[1] The deciding factors are the roof's age, its condition away from the damage, and how often you are calling a roofer.

Repair is the right call when

• the missing shingles are few and the damage is in one area, such as one slope after a storm
• the shingles around them are flat, well attached and not cracking
• the roof is well within its expected life
• the decking and underlayment beneath are dry and sound

The Forest Service guide lists a lifespan of 15 to 25 years for 3-tab fiberglass shingles and 20 to 30 years for architectural shingles.^[1] A roof in the first half of that range with a few wind-damaged tabs is a clear repair. See can a few missing shingles be replaced without a new roof for how that goes.

Replacement is the right call when

• the shingles are curling, splitting or losing granules across the roof, not just in one spot
• you are on your second or third repair in a couple of years
• the roof is at or beyond the end of the lifespan range for its type
• a roofer finds wet or rotted decking over a wide area
• the shingle style is discontinued and a repair would never match

The guide describes why: when shingles become old and worn out, they curl, split, and lose their waterproofing effectiveness, and it says the weakened shingles are easily blown off, torn, or lifted by the wind.^[1] Repairing around shingles in that state tends to move the problem to the next shingle over.

Ask each roofer for a written assessment that says which of these they found, with photos, not just a price. A roofer who recommends a full replacement should be able to show you the evidence on your roof. A reasonable way to check is to get a second opinion from another licensed roofer, and to compare both against the age of the roof.

What changes with a full replacement

Cost and scope. A full replacement is a much larger contract. Virginia's Class C licence covers a single contract over $1,000 but less than $30,000, and Class B covers $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, so a roof may land in either class.^[2]

Permit. The building code allows replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 buildings without a permit, as long as the building is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour.^[3] Smaller repairs of 100 square feet or less need no permit in any wind zone.^[3] The exceptions include a locally designated historic district, where the building official may require an application,^[3] so check with your locality.

Warranty. If your shingles carry a manufacturer's warranty, a repair and a full replacement are treated differently. Owens Corning's warranty says that a claim resulting in a repair leaves it unaffected if the work is done by an Owens Corning Roofing Platinum or Preferred Contractor, but that if a claim results in the entire roofing system being removed and replaced, the limited lifetime warranty will be void.^[4] Read your own warranty before you decide.

Do not decide in a hurry after a storm

Missing shingles often follow a storm, and so do pushy salespeople. DPOR says to be wary of door-to-door solicitations promising repairs at a discounted price, to insist on a written contract, and never to pay for the entire job upfront.^[5] A roofer who says the whole roof must be replaced today, without showing you why, is a reason to get another opinion.

When to call a licensed pro

For both the repair and the replacement. Roof work is dangerous and the decision needs someone who can see the roof up close. DPOR says that if the work you are considering is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor’s License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work.^[6] Roofing contracting is the licensed service that provides for the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks.^[7] Check the licence before you sign.

For prices, see how much it costs to replace missing shingles in Virginia, and our guide on whether you need a permit to replace a roof in Virginia. Browse roofing repair answers or roofing services. To compare opinions and quotes, describe the job once and licensed local roofers respond.