I totally get where you’re coming from. I tried the “shingles over shingles” thing on my old ranch house, thinking it’d be a quick fix and save me some cash. It looked fine for a while, but after a couple of rough winters (I’m in western Oregon), I started noticing weird dips in the roof and a musty smell in the attic. Turns out, moisture was getting trapped between the layers and the old shingles were already pretty warped underneath. Ended up costing way more to fix than if I’d just done the tear-off in the first place.
I know some folks say it’s fine if your roof’s still in decent shape, but with all the rain we get here, I’m not risking it again. The mess and noise from a full tear-off sucked, but at least I could see what was going on under there. Plus, I got to upgrade the underlayment, which seems to help with leaks. Not saying it’s always the wrong call to layer, but for me, it just wasn’t worth the gamble.
Yeah, I’ve been down this road too. I get why folks want to just slap another layer on—seems cheaper and less hassle up front. But in my experience, it’s almost always a short-term fix that can turn into a bigger headache, especially in wet climates like the PNW. I did a second layer on my old place in Tacoma thinking I’d save a few grand, but after about five years, the roof started sagging and I got some nasty leaks around the chimney. Turns out, the old shingles were hiding some rotten decking that just got worse with all the extra weight and trapped moisture.
Here’s how I look at it now:
1. If your roof deck is solid (no soft spots or rot), and you’re in a dry climate, maybe you can get away with layering once. But if you’re anywhere with real rain or snow, it’s risky.
2. Tearing off lets you see what’s actually going on underneath. I found a couple of spots where squirrels had chewed through the sheathing—never would’ve caught that if I’d just layered again.
3. Upgrading underlayment is huge. The synthetic stuff they use now is way better than the old felt paper, especially for keeping out wind-driven rain.
4. Weight matters more than people think. Two layers of shingles can stress older framing, especially on ranches or low-pitch roofs.
I get that the mess and noise suck—my last tear-off took three days and my yard looked like a war zone—but at least I knew everything was solid when it was done. Plus, warranties are usually better if you do a full tear-off.
Not saying layering never works... but after getting burned once, I’m not rolling those dice again. If you’re already seeing dips or musty smells, that’s usually a sign something’s brewing underneath. Better to bite the bullet now than pay double later when you have to replace decking too.
Just my two cents from learning the hard way.
I get the temptation to layer—money’s tight, and a tear-off quote can make your eyes water. I did a second layer on my last house, thinking I was being smart. Saved a chunk up front, but a couple years later I had to pay for a full tear-off anyway because of hidden rot. If you’re seeing dips or soft spots, I’d say don’t risk it. If the deck’s solid and you’re in a dry spot, maybe… but honestly, I’d rather spend once and not worry for another 20 years.
- You nailed it—layering sounds like a shortcut, but it’s risky.
- Second layers can hide all kinds of issues: soft decking, old leaks, even poor ventilation.
- I’ve seen folks save a grand or two upfront, only to get hit with double the cost later when rot or mold shows up.
- If the roof deck is 100% solid and you’re in a dry, mild climate, sometimes you can get away with it... but it’s rare.
- Most shingle warranties don’t cover second layers, either—not everyone realizes that.
- Full tear-off is a bigger hit to the wallet now, but you get a clean slate and peace of mind.
- Honestly, if you’re seeing dips or soft spots, you made the right call. Deck issues only get worse if you cover them up.
- It’s a tough call with prices where they are, but I’d rather see someone spend once than twice.
- Hats off for thinking long-term. It’s not always easy to do when cash is tight.
Full tear-off is a bigger hit to the wallet now, but you get a clean slate and peace of mind.
That’s what finally convinced me. I kept thinking layering would be cheaper, but then I started worrying about what’s under there. My inspector found a couple soft spots, so it felt like gambling to just cover it up. Still, the price difference stings... wish there was a middle ground.
