We had the shingle roof replaced (covered over) with gavalume, standing seam metal, which theoretically will last up to 50 years. Gavalume is steel coated with a combination of zinc, aluminum and some silicon, as opposed to galvanized steel which is just coated with zinc-hence the greater durability. Standing seam refers to the interlocking ridges with the fasteners underneath, versus the exposed fasteners on many standard, corrugated metal roofs. It cost a little more but should stay watertight with very little maintenance. Around here up to two layers of shingles can be covered over so long as the underlying roof structure is solid, and the 1x4 wood strapping creates a one inch air gap for ventilation. We also put new R-30 insulation in the attic floor in preparation for re-finishing a living space there. This house is a Sears kit home built in 1950 with a main living space of about 1000 sq feet, although with a finished basement and attic the usable space is more than that. We replaced a still functioning 34 year old central air conditioner last summer and the furnace and water pipes are about five years old. So with regular but economical maintenance the foundation and systems are rock solid after 74 years.
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