Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) in Memphis, TN

A Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) in Memphis lets you keep the deck and the old shingles in place and put a new metal roof right on top, which cuts tear-off labor and dumpster loads out of the job. That matters on the 1950s-70s brick ranches and split-levels across Whitehaven, Raleigh, Berclair and Hickory Hill, where the original decking is usually solid and the shingle layers are still within code limits. It also fits the low-gable bungalows and porch roofs in Midtown and Cooper-Young, where a tear-off means a full day of debris trucks on a narrow street. We check the deck, the existing layers and the flashing details before we quote, and we tell you straight when a tear-off is the better call. If you want the full picture on panels and profiles, start with our metal roof installation page.

Why a Retrofit Makes Sense on Memphis Roofs

Memphis sits on the river bluffs at about 260 feet, in a flat, wooded Mid-South where tall oaks, pines, sweetgum and crepe myrtles drop limbs and leaves all year. Those trees shade the roof and hold moisture, and the hot, humid summers breed algae and moss on asphalt shingles and bake the sealant strips until they let go. A retrofit puts a metal skin over that failing surface and ends the cycle of granule loss and curl.

• It saves the tear-off cost and keeps one to two tons of shingle waste out of the landfill.
• It adds a second barrier over the old shingles, which helps on the low-slope porch roofs common in Midtown and Evergreen.
• It works best when the existing shingles are flat, well fastened and within the local code limit on layers.
• It lets you keep the house occupied, since there is no open deck and no dumpster sitting in the driveway for days.
• It gives you a chance to correct the flashing at chimneys, dormers and bay windows before the panels go down.

On the 1980s-2020s brick colonials in East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville and Cordova, the shingles are often a single layer and the deck is clean, which is the ideal candidate for a retrofit.

Key info: A ranch in Bartlett with one layer of architectural shingles and a sound deck is a strong retrofit candidate. A Midtown bungalow with three curled layers, soft decking at the porch and a leaking chimney is not, and we will tell you so before you spend a dollar.

Local code limits how many existing layers you can recover over, and the City of Memphis and Shelby County building departments enforce it at permit review, so verify the count with your jurisdiction before you commit. You can check the permit and inspection requirements through the Shelby County government site.

How We Install a Metal Roof Over Shingles in Memphis

We do not sell a retrofit sight unseen. The first hour on your roof decides whether the job is a true recover or a tear-off, and we would rather lose the sale than bury a soft deck under new panels. Here is the sequence we run on every Memphis retrofit.

1. We walk the roof and check the deck for soft spots, rot and loose fasteners, especially at valleys and porch roofs.
2. We count the existing shingle layers and confirm the recover is within the local code limit for your jurisdiction.
3. We map the penetrations (chimneys, skylights, vents, dormers) and plan new flashing and counterflashing at each one.
4. We install a slip sheet or underlayment over the old shingles so the metal does not ride directly on the granular surface.
5. We set the panels or shingles, fasten per the manufacturer's spec, and cut in the ridge, hip and eave trim.
6. We re-hang or replace the gutters so the new roof sheds water where it should, not behind the fascia.

That last step matters more than most homeowners expect, because a metal roof sheds a heavier, faster sheet of water than shingles ever did.

Key info: On a Cordova colonial with a steep front gable and two dormers, we replaced the step flashing at both dormers and added a slip sheet before the panels went down. The homeowner kept the existing shingles, skipped the tear-off, and the dormer leaks stopped in the first spring storm.

If you are in the 38114 corridor or out toward Germantown, see the local page for retrofit work in Germantown (38138) for how the same sequence plays out on those lots.

Retrofit Approaches We Use in Memphis

Not every metal product is a good fit over shingles, and the profile you pick changes the cost and the look. These are the approaches we run most often on Memphis and Shelby County homes.

The profile you choose should match the roof pitch, the house style and any historic or HOA design rules, so we walk that through with you before ordering panels.

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

Retrofit pricing starts around $7 per square foot for a basic exposed-fastener or shingle-profile job over a sound single layer, and climbs from there. The number moves with panel type, roof complexity, pitch, the number of penetrations and whether the flashing and gutters need replacement. A simple ranch in Raleigh sits at the low end; a steep, dormered Tudor Revival in Central Gardens sits at the high end.

• Panel choice drives most of the spread, with standing seam and stone-coated steel costing more than R-panel or 5V crimp.
• Roof complexity (valleys, dormers, hips, bay windows) adds labor and trim, so a cut-up roof costs more per square.
• Deck repairs found during the walk, such as soft spots at the porch or valley, add to the job before panels go down.
• Flashing and gutter work at chimneys, skylights and eaves is priced as part of the retrofit, not left as a surprise.
• Access and tree cover slow the crew and add time, which is common on the wooded lots in Midtown and East Memphis.

Get two or three written estimates on the same scope, because a low bid that skips the slip sheet or the flashing is not a real comparison. Our full pricing overview breaks down the ranges by product and roof type.

Metal Roof Over Shingles (Retrofit) Near Me: Hiring a Contractor Near Memphis

You want a contractor who will get on the roof, count the layers and tell you the truth about the deck, not one who quotes a retrofit from the driveway. Here is what to check before you sign.

• Confirm the contractor is licensed and insured, and ask for the certificate before work starts.
• Get two or three estimates on the same written scope so you compare like for like.
• Ask for local references on retrofit jobs, not just new construction, and call them.
• Ask who pulls the permit and how the layer limit is verified with the local building department.
• Check historic district or HOA design review rules before ordering panels, especially in Central Gardens and Victorian Village.

When you are ready to talk it through, reach us at contact and free estimate or call (901) 437-0104.

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

Indicative pricing, the exact cost depends on square footage, finish, and site access. Free personalized estimate within 24h at (901) 437-0104.