One of the biggest frustrations we hear from homeowners is when their insurance only agrees to cover part of the roof after a covered loss. Maybe it’s one slope, or just a section of shingles. On paper, that may look like a reasonable solution. But in reality, it doesn’t always work — because most roofs function as a complete system, not a collection of parts.
The Compatibility Problem
Insurance companies often assume new shingles can be “tied in” to the old ones. But here’s the truth:
Age matters – If your roof is older than 15 years, the shingles are usually too brittle to accept a tie-in. Trying to nail in new shingles can crack, crease, or tear the surrounding ones, causing more damage than repair.
Shingles are discontinued all the time – Manufacturers retire colors, styles, and entire product lines every few years. Finding a perfect match for your existing roof is often impossible. Many manufacturers have released technical bulletins saying that the newer version of their shingles should not be mixed with older versions.
Mismatched appearance hurts value – Even if you find something close, new shingles stand out against faded, weathered ones, leaving an obvious patch.
Why Spot Coverage Doesn’t Work
A roof is designed as a complete system, not a patchwork of repairs.
- System vs. patchwork – Hips, valleys, and ridges connect multiple slopes together. If damage runs across these areas, you can’t just swap out one section without affecting adjacent sections.
- Shingles age together – Mixing new shingles with old ones creates uneven performance and noticeable weak points.
- Granule loss and sealing – Once shingles lose granules and become brittle, they won’t seal properly against new material, increasing the risk of leaks.The new tie in spot will be the most vulnerable spot on your roof.
The only time spot coverage makes sense is when matching shingles are still available and the roof is in good enough condition — typically under 15 years old — to accept a repair without breaking surrounding material. A slope replacement may also be reasonable if the slope is independent with a natural termination point (such as a porch roof or dormer) that’s fully separated from the rest of the system. Outside of those rare situations, partial replacement almost always compromises the integrity and long-term performance of the roof.
How Peak and Valley Roofing Helps
When insurance tries to shortchange homeowners, we step in. Our team has a proven track record of turning partial approvals into full replacements by:
Standing with you at reinspections to advocate for a proper, lasting solution.
Submitting supplements that document why tie-ins aren’t feasible (due to discontinued products or brittle shingles).
Citing manufacturer guidelines and building codes that require uniform systems.
The Bottom Line
If your roof is more than 15 years old, or if your shingle line has been discontinued, partial coverage is not a realistic fix. In most cases, the only true solution is a full replacement. At Peak and Valley Roofing, we’ve helped countless homeowners in this exact situation. Don’t let your insurance company leave you with a mismatched, brittle patch job. Your roof deserves to be whole — not halfway.
Cleveland’s Own: Peak and Valley Roofing
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