Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) in Savannah

Savannah sits on a low sandy bluff above the river, ringed by tidal marsh and shaded by live oaks draped in Spanish moss. That mix of humidity, hurricane wind, and heavy oak and pine debris is hard on any roof, especially the 1950s to 1970s brick ranches across Windsor Forest and the Southside where asphalt shingles have already been replaced once or twice. A Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) in Savannah lets you skip the tear-off, cut the waste, and put a metal roof over the existing shingle layers, provided the deck and framing can carry it. We check the deck first and tell you straight when a tear-off is the smarter call. For the full scope of what we install, see our metal roof installation service.

Why a Metal Roof Over Shingles Makes Sense on Savannah Homes

Most Savannah homes built between 1950 and 1980 carry one or two layers of asphalt shingles that are already near the end of their life. A retrofit adds a metal skin on top of a sound deck, which saves the dumpster fees and the labor of stripping the old roof. It also keeps the old shingles out of the landfill, which matters on the narrow lots around Ardsley Park and Midtown where dumpsters eat the driveway for a week.

• You avoid tear-off labor and disposal costs, which can run several thousand dollars on a large ranch.
• You keep the existing shingles as an extra layer of underlayment against wind-driven rain.
• You get a metal roof that sheds oak leaves and pine straw instead of trapping moisture like worn asphalt.
• You cut summer heat gain, which matters under the intense UV and humid afternoons here.
• You can usually stay in the house during the work, with no open deck exposed to afternoon thunderstorms.

On the raised Lowcountry cottages around Thunderbolt and the Isle of Hope, where the original tin has already been patched, a retrofit over a sound shingle layer is often the cleanest way to get a modern metal roof without disturbing the porch framing.

Key info: Code limits how many shingle layers you can recover over, and that limit varies by jurisdiction. Before we quote a retrofit in Pooler or Richmond Hill, we count the existing layers and confirm the local building department will allow it.

Chatham County and the City of Savannah both publish permit requirements for re-roofs, and the rules on recover over existing shingles are worth reading before you commit. Start with the City of Savannah government site for the local building department contacts.

How We Install a Retrofit Metal Roof in Savannah, Step by Step

Every retrofit starts with the deck, not the panels. We walk the roof, check the sheathing for soft spots, and look at how the existing shingles are fastened. On the older wood-frame Victorians in Thomas Square, that inspection often turns up rotted decking around chimneys and valleys that has to be replaced before any metal goes down. If the deck is sound and the layer count is legal, we move to install.

1. We inspect the deck and framing and photograph any soft spots or rot for you to see.
2. We confirm the existing shingle layer count against local code and pull the permit.
3. We install a slip sheet or underlayment over the shingles to separate the old and new surfaces.
4. We fasten horizontal purlins or battens where the panel profile requires them.
5. We set new flashing at chimneys, skylights, and wall intersections before the panels go on.
6. We install the panels, ridge cap, and trim, then walk the roof for fasteners and sealant.
7. We clean the gutters and haul off every scrap, leaving the yard as we found it.

On a typical Windsor Forest ranch, the whole job runs three to five days once the panels are on site.

Key info: On a 1960s brick ranch off Waters Avenue, we found the original shingles had been laid over skip sheathing with wide gaps. We replaced the deck sections before installing the retrofit, which added a day but kept the panels flat and the fasteners solid.

If your existing roof is already metal and failing at the fasteners, a retrofit over shingles is not the right fix. That job belongs with our screw replacement and re-fastening service.

Retrofit Approaches We Use on Savannah Roofs

Not every shingle roof takes the same retrofit. The pitch, the deck condition, and the look you want all push the choice. Here is how the main approaches compare on Savannah homes.

We match the panel to the house and the budget, not the other way around.

Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) Cost in Savannah: What to Expect

Retrofit work typically starts around From $7/sq ft for the basic exposed fastener systems, and climbs from there with panel type, deck repairs, and roof complexity. A simple gable ranch in Bloomingdale sits at the low end. A hipped roof with multiple valleys, dormers, and a chimney on a 1920s bungalow near Forsyth Park sits at the high end. The layer count and any deck rot we find also move the number.

• Panel type drives most of the spread, with standing seam and stone-coated steel costing more per square than corrugated.
• Roof complexity adds labor, since valleys, hips, and dormers slow the crew down.
• Deck repairs we uncover during inspection get priced before we start, never after.
• Permit fees and historic or HOA review add a line item in some neighborhoods.

Get two or three estimates and compare the scope line by line, not just the bottom number. For a wider range, see our full pricing overview.

Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) Near Me: How to Hire a Contractor Near Savannah

Hiring a roofer in Savannah means asking a few direct questions before anyone climbs a ladder. Check the license and insurance first, then ask for references on jobs like yours. A contractor who has done retrofits on 1960s brick ranches in Windsor Forest or on Lowcountry cottages out toward Tybee will know what to look for.

• Get two or three written estimates that spell out panel type, deck repairs, and cleanup.
• Ask for references on retrofit jobs in your part of Chatham County and call them.
• Confirm who pulls the permit, since the building department and any historic review are the homeowner's responsibility to understand.
• Ask how the contractor handles HOA or historic district approval if your home sits in a protected area.

If a contractor cannot answer those questions clearly, keep looking. When you are ready to talk, reach out through our contact page and we will set up a free estimate.

Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) in Savannah: Pricing Guide

Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (912) 468-1649.