Funny, I see this all the time—folks want to save a buck and just layer new shingles, but then six years later I’m back out there because the old stuff underneath started rotting anyway. Tear-offs are a pain, yeah, but you catch so much that’s hidden. Sometimes it stings up front, but I’ve seen too many jobs where shortcuts end up costing more down the line. Still, there are rare cases where a second layer holds up fine, especially if the first roof’s in decent shape... just doesn’t happen often in my experience.
Tear-offs are a pain, yeah, but you catch so much that’s hidden.
That’s what I keep wondering about—how do you really know what’s going on under that first layer unless you rip it off? I get why people want to save money, but if there’s any soft decking or moisture trapped, isn’t it just asking for trouble later? Maybe in drier climates it works out better, but up here with all the freeze-thaw cycles, I’d be nervous about skipping the tear-off. Has anyone actually seen a double-layer roof last more than 10 years without issues?
I’ve actually seen a couple of double-layer roofs hold up for about 12-15 years, but it’s definitely not the norm, especially in places with a lot of freeze-thaw. Up here in the Midwest, most of the time you end up with weird bulges or leaks around vents after a few seasons. I get why people want to save on labor and landfill costs, but skipping the tear-off always feels like rolling the dice. Sometimes you luck out, but if there’s even a little rot or trapped moisture, it just gets worse under that second layer.
I get the appeal of just slapping a new layer on—less mess, less money up front. But every time I’ve seen someone skip the tear-off, they end up chasing leaks or weird soft spots a few years later. I ripped mine down to the deck, found some nasty rot, and was glad I did. If you’re in a spot with wild weather swings, I’d say bite the bullet and do it right the first time... even if it’s a pain.
If you’re in a spot with wild weather swings, I’d say bite the bullet and do it right the first time... even if it’s a pain.
Honestly, I used to think layering was a clever shortcut—until I saw what happens underneath. Pulled up some old shingles last summer and there was this mushy mess under half the roof. If you’ve got ice dams or crazy heat/cold cycles, skipping the tear-off is just asking for trouble. Yeah, it’s more work (and money), but finding rot later is way worse.
